Canada & The World

1. Canada thanks Qatar for securing safe departures of Canadians from Afghanistan

   We can confirm that today 43 Canadian citizens were on board a special flight organized by the Government of Qatar, which departed from Kabul, Afghanistan, for Doha. They will be repatriated to Canada in the coming days.

2. Canadian Coast Guard completes successful joint training with national, international Arctic partners

   The safety of Canada’s Arctic waters and those who use them is a top priority for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). As traffic increases in this vast region, so does the demand for essential coast guard services, including search and rescue.

3. Statement on passing of 1,000 days since Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arbitrarily detained in China

   Today marks 1,000 days since Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arbitrarily detained in China. Both men are being arbitrarily detained. We strongly condemn the lack of a transparent legal process.

4. Statement by the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS

   The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS strongly condemns the attacks that occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. We grieve for the loss of Afghan civilians and British civilians, and American service members at the hands of Daesh/ISIS terrorists. The tragic loss of life is only compounded by the fact that those killed were endeavoring to evacuate or working to conduct that humanitarian mission.

5. Joint statement on Afghanistan evacuation travel assurances

   We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan.

6. Canada announces matching fund in response to earthquake in Haiti

   The Government of Canada announced today the creation of a Matching Fund in response to the earthquake in Haiti.

7. Backgrounder: Haiti Earthquake Matching Fund

   Canada has launched a Matching Fund in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14, 2021. It will amplify the support of Canadians and reinforce the response of Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition and its members as they address the humanitarian needs of crisis-affected Haitians.

8. Canada announces additional humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries

   Canada is deeply concerned by the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the humanitarian needs of crisis-affected people as it continues to worsen.

9. Canada temporarily suspends operations at Embassy of Canada to Afghanistan

   The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement: “The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving and poses serious challenges to our ability to ensure the safety and security of our mission.

10. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of International Development following earthquake in Haiti

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement: “It is with great sadness that we learned of the devastating earthquake in Haiti this morning. Canada sends its condolences to families and friends in mourning and hopes for a speedy recovery for the injured. To date, we have no reports of Canadian casualties.

11. Venezuela:  Joint Statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

    We welcome the announcement that Venezuelan-led, comprehensive negotiations will soon begin in Mexico City, Mexico. We hope this process will lead to the restoration of the country’s democratic institutions and allow for all Venezuelans to express themselves politically through free and fair local, parliamentary, and presidential elections.

12. Backgrounder - Canada’s emergency support responds to global food crises

    The Government of Canada has announced that it is providing $155 million for emergency humanitarian and development assistance to help avert famine in affected countries by addressing deteriorating food security and nutrition needs.

13. Canada announces emergency support to respond to global food crises

    The COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity around the world by disrupting food production, supply and distribution. Acute hunger is increasing not only in scale but also in severity, with over 41 million people worldwide at risk of falling into famine or famine-like conditions. Immediate action is required to respond to this unprecedented emergency in global hunger and malnutrition.

14. Canada announces new contribution to global vaccination efforts

    Vaccinating the world against COVID-19 is the best way of protecting everyone from COVID-19, because no one is safe until everyone is safe. The government and Canadians can make a difference together by helping to ensure that life-saving COVID-19 vaccines reach people regardless of where they live.

15. Ministers of International Development and Public Services and Procurement to hold press conference on Canada’s vaccination efforts at home and abroad

    The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, invite media to participate in a press conference on Canada’s ongoing support for vaccination efforts in developing countries, as well as in Canada.

16. Minister Gould concludes virtual visit to Ukraine

    Canada continues to be a close friend of Ukraine and supports its goal of delivering security, prosperity and freedom for all its citizens.

17. Backgrounder: Canada announces support for inclusive governance in Ukraine

    Canada has announced that it is providing over $31.9 million in funding to support projects to strengthen public services and better respond to the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in Ukraine.

18. Canada announces support for multiple development projects in Philippines

    Canada is committed to helping other countries combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to supporting their economic recovery and resilience. The Philippines continues to face high COVID-19 rates, and a range of restrictions remain in place, affecting livelihoods and access to education and health care, as well as increasing the strain on the advancement of peace and development on Mindanao.

19. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on Michael Spavor verdict

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada condemns China’s conviction and sentencing of Michael Spavor in the strongest possible terms. This decision is rendered after a legal process that lacked both fairness and transparency, including a trial that did not satisfy the minimum standards required by international law.

20. Backgrounder – Michael Spavor verdict pronouncement

    Michael Spavor, a Canadian citizen, was arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities on December 10, 2018, and held on suspicion of endangering the national security of the People’s Republic of China.

21. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of Canada to the People’s Republic of China to hold media availabilities

    His Excellency Dominic Barton, Ambassador of Canada to the People’s Republic of China will be in Dandong where he will be available for comment, in-person and via video link for media in Beijing, on August 11, 2021, at 11:00 AM CST (August 10, 2021, 11:00 PM EST). Media based in China should contact the Embassy at: beijing-pa@international.gc.ca for more information.

22. Canada strongly condemns China’s sentence of death imposed on a Canadian citizen 

    Canada strongly condemns China’s decision to uphold the death penalty sentence against Robert Schellenberg.

23. Robert Schellenberg verdict pronouncement

    In January 2019, following a retrial, Mr. Robert Schellenberg’s initial 15-year verdict on drug smuggling charges was overturned and a death sentence was issued. Mr. Schellenberg appealed the executable death sentence and an appeal hearing took place on May 9, 2019.

24. Statement on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, today issued the following statement on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples:

25. Canada imposes additional sanctions on first anniversary of Belarus’s fraudulent presidential elections

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the ongoing, gross and systematic violations of human rights in Belarus. These new measures impose restrictions on key sectors of the Belarusian economy and minimize Belarusian state actors’ access to international finance. The targeted sectors include transferrable securities and money market instruments, debt financing, insurance and reinsurance, petroleum products and potassium chloride products. These measures are being taken in solidarity with those of international partners.

26. Backgrounder: Sanctions related to Belarus

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing new sanctions in response to gross and systematic human rights violations committed in Belarus.

27. MV Mercer Street attack: G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union stand united in our commitment to maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping. We condemn the unlawful attack committed on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman on 29 July, which killed a British and a Romanian national.

28. Minister Ng speaks with Made in America Director Celeste Drake

    Building on their conversation in June 2021, Minister Ng and Director Drake spoke about the critical role infrastructure can play in ensuring growth and job creation in both the United States and Canada during the post-pandemic economic recovery.

29. Minister Garneau speaks with counterparts during the Canada-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference

    Minister Garneau congratulated Brunei on its successful chairmanship, in an unprecedented year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted Canada’s strong support for ASEAN in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic.

30. Press conference on the government’s “Give A Vax” Matching Fund with UNICEF Canada and BC health authorities 

    On behalf of the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, the Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, invites media to a press conference on Canada’s “Give A Vax” matching fund campaign in support of vaccination efforts in developing countries, humanitarian and conflict situations.

31. Canada announces new vaccine contributions for regional partners

    The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today announced that the Government of Canada will share over 82,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Trinidad and Tobago via a bilateral agreement. These are doses that had already arrived in Canada, but are in excess of our domestic needs. Trinidad and Tobago was selected to receive these doses based on need and the country’s capacity to deploy them immediately, minimizing wastage, and maximizing the public health impact.

32. Government welcomes final report from Advisory Committee on Open Banking

    The global economy is undergoing a rapid digital transformation - and the Canadian economy and financial sector are following suit.

33. Statement on commemoration of Beirut port explosion 

    Today, Canada stands with the Lebanese people, as we recall the human tragedy that happened a year ago in the Port of Beirut. Canada will always remember that this explosion killed at least 200 people, including children, wounded thousands, displaced 300,000 people and destroyed half the city.

34. Statement on Romani Genocide Remembrance Day

    “On August 2, 1944, the last group of Romani imprisoned by Nazis at Auschwitz-Birkenau—around 4,000 men, women and children—were murdered in the camp’s gas chambers. Today, we remember the victims and survivors of the Romani genocide and keep their legacy alive.”

35. Minister Garneau speaks with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

36. Signing of the Canada–France Coproduction Agreement

    The governments of Canada and the French Republic formalize a new agreement that strengthens the ties between the two countries with respect to audiovisual productions

37. Deputy Prime Minister discusses economic importance of early learning and child care with British Columbia families and business leaders 

    Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, was at the Burnaby Child Care Centre to meet with children, parents and early learning and child care educators.

38. Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks with Cuban counterpart

    Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke with Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

39. Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on formation of new government in Haiti

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the formation of a new government in Haiti:

40. Canada's 2025 Marine Conservation Targets

    The Government of Canada is taking concrete action to protect, conserve and manage Canada’s marine environment by investing in nature-based solutions such as marine protected areas and other effective conservation measures. In response to a growing body of international scientific research about the measures needed to address biodiversity loss and global climate change, we are committed to increasing the conservation of Canada’s oceans to 25 per cent by 2025, working towards 30 per cent by 2030.

41. Statement by Foreign Affairs Minister on Peru presidential elections results

    “Canada congratulates Pedro Castillo on his election as the next president of Peru and commends the work of the Peruvian electoral authorities for ensuring a free, fair and transparent vote.

42. Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks with African Union Commission Chairperson

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke today with His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson.

43. Statement on China’s cyber campaigns

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued the following statement: “Today, Canada joins its allies in identifying People's Republic of China’s (PRC) state-backed actors for the unprecedented and indiscriminate exploitation of Microsoft exchange servers.

44. Minister Garneau speaks with Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

45. Minister Garneau speaks with the Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister of Colombia

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke with Marta Lucía Ramírez, Colombia’s Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

46. Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks with United States Secretary of State

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke today with Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State.

47. Minister Ng speaks with Chile’s Undersecretary for International Economic Relations

    Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Rodrigo Yáñez, Chile’s Undersecretary for International Economic Relations.

48. Canada imposes sanctions on additional individuals in response to ongoing human rights violations in Nicaragua

    Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced sanctions against an additional 15 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations in response to ongoing human rights violations in Nicaragua.

49. Additional Nicaraguan sanctions

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against Nicaraguan individuals in response to ongoing human rights violations being committed in Nicaragua.

50. Minister Garneau speaks with Haiti’s interim prime minister and foreign affairs minister

    The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke yesterday with Claude Joseph, Haiti’s interim prime minister and foreign affairs minister.