Canada & The World

Canada News Centre
  1. Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act against two individuals associated with the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
  2. Canada is imposing sanctions on two individuals in response associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and linked to the continued violence against civilians in Sudan. Through their leadership roles in financing and procurement networks in both opposing factions, these individuals are contributing to continued gross and systematic human rights violations by allowing both parties to sustain the fighting.
  3. Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM Canada), in its mandate as part of the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force to monitor the digital information ecosystem during the Liberal Party of Canada [LPC] leadership campaign, has identified an information operation targeting Chrystia Freeland. Ms. Freeland is Member of Parliament [MP] for University-Rosedale, and candidate in the LPC Leadership contest.
  4. In the last few years, healthcare systems around the world, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, have faced unprecedented strains. Climate change and geopolitical crises have exacerbated these pressures. As a result, many women and children still lack access to essential health services, as well as clean water, adequate sanitation, hygiene, and good nutrition.
  5. Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced the following 14 projects, totaling $248.2 million.
  6. One in three people globally are malnourished, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries. Women and girls, who tend to eat least and eat last, are particularly affected, being twice as likely to suffer from malnutrition. This crisis is causing illnesses, preventable deaths and lost economic potential. By some estimates, poor health and lost potential costs the worldwide economy over a trillion dollars each year.
  7. The Government of Canada has a long history of partnering with local Canadian organizations to deliver impactful global development projects around the world.
  8. February 3, 2024 – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development with the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), will announce investments to support more than 150 small and medium-sized Canadian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
  9. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Paris, France from February 3 and 4, 2025, and Beirut, Lebanon from February 5 to 6, 2025.
  10. On the 35th anniversary of International Development Week, Canada continues to proudly support education for youths around the world to build a brighter future for all. Access to quality education improves financial and social opportunities and has a direct impact on the realization of all human rights.
  11. Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $50 million in funding for the following projects.
  12. One year ago today, Ukraine and Canada launched the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and held its first plenary meeting in Kyiv. Since then, 41 States as well as the Council of Europe have joined the Coalition in a collective commitment to bring Ukrainian children home.
  13. “In our increasingly complex and interconnected world, Canada has a responsibility do our part to build a brighter future for everyone. From tackling climate change to strengthening health systems, international assistance is an investment that will create stronger communities for generations to come. When people have the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and strengthen local economies, it not only impacts individuals and their communities, it also benefits the global economy and our security and prosperity here at home.
  14. 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, strongly condemn the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in particular, the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma.
  15. January 31, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada “Today marks 4 years since the Myanmar military regime overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, creating one of the largest crises in the Indo-Pacific. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar remain subject to military rule that has deprived many of their rights, democratic aspirations and, for thousands, their liberty and their lives.
  16. January 29, 2025 – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a virtual media availability on January 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Media representatives are invited to register using the information below. The Minister will share insights from her meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during which she explored opportunities for enhancing the robust Canada-U.S. relationship, focusing on key areas such as border management, economic cooperation, and mutual investments.
  17. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will travel to Washington, D.C., for a bilateral visit from January 29 to 31, 2025.
  18. Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, have released a joint statement following Belarus’ sham presidential elections on January 26, 2025:
  19. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations in response to ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  20. Canada is imposing sanctions against individuals and entities in relation to the Lukashenko regime’s ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  21. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, released the following statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day: “Today we mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp in occupied Poland, where 1.1 million people were senselessly killed – one million of them Jews. We solemnly remember the over 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust as well as the other victims of Nazism including 500,000 Roma and Sinti and numerous 2SLGBTQI+ persons, persons with disabilities and political dissidents persecuted and killed by the Nazis and their collaborators.
  22. Canada is profoundly concerned over the escalation of violence in the eastern DRC, intensified by the advance of the March 23 Movement (M23) near Goma, and calls for the urgent protection of civilians. We deplore the devastating consequences of the violations of the ceasefire, displacing nearly 400,000 civilians and worsening already difficult humanitarian conditions.
  23. “Canada has been a leader in global education for decades. We know that stronger, more inclusive education systems not only help communities succeed economically, they also promote peace, improve security and drive better health and climate outcomes. .."
  24. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke yesterday with Marco Rubio, the United States’ new Secretary of State. The Minister congratulated Secretary Rubio on his appointment to the position and expressed that she is looking forward to working closely with him on priorities shared by the United States and Canada.
  25. Robin Wettlaufer (BA [International Relations], University of British Columbia, 1998; MA [Political Science], York University, 2000) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1998. At Headquarters, she has worked as desk officer for Iraq and as conflict prevention adviser for the G8 foreign ministers’ process, and she has also served in Regional Security and Peacekeeping and in the Japan Division. She was senior adviser to the Darfur peace process, from 2010 to 2011, and deputy director for the Sudan and South Sudan Task Force from 2011 to 2013. Overseas, she served in Ramallah from 2005 to 2008; in Islamabad from 2008 to 2010; in Istanbul, as Canada’s special representative for Syria, from 2014 to 2019; and again in Ramallah, as representative to the Palestinian Authority, from 2019 to 2022. Most recently, she was director of the Centre for International Digital Policy and the Rapid Response Mechanism (2022 to 2024).
  26. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment: Robin Wettlaufer becomes Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Ms. Wettlaufer replaces Michael Callan.
  27. Today, Canada alongside other G7 RRM members (European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States) as well as G7 RRM Observer states (Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden) issued the following statement:
  28. The Minister will discuss her visit to Washington D.C. during which she met with U.S. government leaders to discuss ways to bolster the strong partnership between Canada and the United States, including on issues of border security, trade and investment.
  29. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will travel to Washington, D.C., for a bilateral visit from January 15 to 17, 2025.
  30. Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Syria. The Syrian peoples’ needs have reached unprecedented levels after 13 years of crisis, with over 16 million people, almost 70% of the country’s population, urgently requiring assistance.
  31. “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, denounce the lack of democratic legitimacy of today’s purported inauguration of Nicolas Maduro as president of Venezuela.
  32. Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against certain Venezuelan officials under the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations.
  33. Effective immediately, Canada is listing 14 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations who are current and former senior officials of the Venezuelan government and who have engaged in activities that have directly or indirectly supported human rights violations in Venezuela. These activities include ongoing violations and the repression of protests following the illegitimate election of Nicolás Maduro to the Venezuelan presidency in July 2024.
  34. “January 9 marked the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Our governments welcomed this historic agreement, including its provision for a referendum in which the people of what is today South Sudan would determine their own future. The CPA was signed amidst great hope that the South Sudanese people would be able to enjoy peace, human rights and a government responsive to their needs.
  35. Today marks five years since the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752), a sombre commemoration of indefensible actions. Fifty-five Canadian citizens and 30 Canadian permanent residents were among the 176 people killed in this tragedy. Canada and its partners in the International Coordination and Response Group— Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom—continue to call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to take full responsibility for its actions, including by making reparation for the harm caused by the downing.
  36. The text of the following joint statement was released by the governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom and the European Union and its member states to address the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
  37. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the passing of the former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh:
  38. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada deplores the decision by Hong Kong authorities to issue international bounties and cancel the passports of democracy activists and former Hong Kong lawmakers. Those targeted include Canadians and people with close ties to Canada.
  39. Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese government to punish them for speaking out for human rights.
  40. Today, Global Affairs Canada issued the following joint statement: “Ukraine has withstood Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion for over 1000 days. This war does not only take place in the trenches but also in cyberspace; it confirms that cyberattacks are an integral part of 21st century conflict and warfare, and cybersecurity is a crucial dimension of the overall resilience of society. Thanks to Ukraine’s own resilience coupled with the international assistance it has received, Ukraine has persisted despite these attacks and has kept its digital ecosystem functioning throughout the war. The recent targeting of Ukrainian state registries underscores the importance of supporting Ukraine’s digital infrastructure in a comprehensive and timely manner.
  41. “Members of the international donor community strongly believe that every child in Sudan has the right to access safe and equitable education opportunities.
  42. Canada continues to strengthen its partnership with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries by focusing on tackling the region’s key development challenges through education, technical and vocational training.
  43. I would like to acknowledge the presence of my dear colleagues Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Rob Oliphant, my Parliamentary Secretary, MP Brendan Hanley and MP Michael McLeod.
  44. The Freedom Online Coalition issued the following statement: “The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a group of 42 countries deeply committed to respecting, promoting, and protecting human rights for all—both online and offline. We strongly support inclusive and open multistakeholder approaches to the governance of digital technologies.
  45. Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against Venezuelan officials under the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations.
  46. Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against Venezuelan officials by listing five individuals who are current or former senior officials of the Venezuelan government and who have engaged in activities that have directly or indirectly undermined democracy in Venezuela.
  47. “Direct DPRK support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security.
  48. On December 6, 2024, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the launch of Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy (AFP).
  49. As the world marks Human Rights Day this week, Canada reiterates the importance of the protection and promotion of human rights defenders and their critical work. Canada is also committed to defending media freedom and its vital role as a pillar of society.
  50. “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights—adopted on this day in 1948—emphasizes that the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. In the face of growing challenges to human rights worldwide, Canada will continue working with partners to not only safeguard but also expand the protection and promotion of human rights.