Canada & The World

1. Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 30th anniversary of Canada-Ukraine diplomatic relations

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Thirty years ago today, Canada established diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Since then, our mutual commitment to strengthening the Canada-Ukraine friendship has never wavered.

2. Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “On this day, we remember the more than 6 million Jewish children, women and men who were murdered during the Holocaust.

3. Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister about Canada’s support for Ukraine

   Let me start by saying that I am proud to be a Ukrainian-Canadian and that I am proud of the contributions our Ukrainian-Canadian community has made to Canada, for much more than a century.

4. Global Affairs Canada statement on military coup in Burkina Faso

   Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement.

5. Global Affairs Canada statement on temporary withdrawal of dependants from Ukraine

   Global Affairs Canada, today issued the following statement:“The safety and security of Canadians, our personnel and their families at our missions abroad is our top priority.

6. Statement on International Day of Education

   The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today issued the following statement

7. Minister Joly concludes trip to Europe in support of Ukraine

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded her trip to Ukraine, France and Belgium, during which she met with European counterparts and reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

8. Minister Joly meets with NATO Secretary General

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday met with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

9. Chair’s statement: Ministerial meeting on Haiti

   Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, chaired an international ministerial meeting on Haiti, which included participation by the Prime Minister of Haiti, 19 partner countries and representatives from the United Nations and other regional and international organizations.

10. Canada announces $50.4 million in support for Haiti

    Canada and Haiti have long been united by a deep friendship, which is reinforced by a common language, the close ties between our peoples and a long history of cooperation.

11. Backgrounder: Canada announces $50.4 million in support for Haiti

    Canada announced a financial contribution of $50.4 million for 9 initiatives in security, health, economic growth and natural disaster management sectors during the January 21, 2022 high-level meeting on Haiti.

12. Government of Canada announces loan of up to $120 million to support Ukraine’s economic resilience and development

    Canada stands resolute in its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

13. Minister Joly meets with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.

14. Backgrounder: Canada-France In-Flight Security Officer Treaty

    In response to the events of September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada allocated funding to meet rigorous new standards for security in airports and on aircraft operated by Canadian air carriers transporting passengers. The Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program is a tool allowing prevention and response to terrorism-related aviation security risks by deploying in-flight security officers to ensure the safety and integrity of aircraft and the passengers on board.

15. Minister Joly meets with French counterpart

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

16. Minister Joly meets with the Secretary General of La Francophonie

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie during her visit to Paris, France.

17. Minister Joly to host foreign ministers’ meeting on Haiti

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will host a foreign ministers’ meeting on Haiti on January 21, 2022. This virtual meeting will allow the international community to convey its commitment to supporting Haiti as the country confronts a number of critical issues, including growing insecurity. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry will open the meeting.

18. Announcement of new diplomatic appointment

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment:

19. Biographical note

    James Christoff (BA [Political Science], Concordia University, 1991; BPR, Mount Saint Vincent University, 1993; MPA, Royal Military College of Canada, 2017) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1999. In Ottawa, Mr. Christoff has served as executive director, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; director of communications, Afghanistan Task Force; press secretary and spokesperson in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and communications manager for Team Canada trade missions. Abroad, he has served as ambassador to South Sudan, deputy high commissioner in Nigeria, political counsellor in Kenya and in the Philippines and senior public diplomacy officer in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the National Security Programme at the Canadian Forces College.

20. Minister Joly meets with Ukrainian Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, and Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

21. Minister Joly to travel to Ukraine, France and Belgium 

    Throughout its history, Canada has played a significant role in the creation and upholding of the rules-based international order, which is instrumental to the preservation of global peace and security. When these rules are challenged, Canada must stand up and work with its allies to prevent their deterioration.

22. Minister Joly speaks with Ukrainian counterpart

    Minister Joly expressed Canada’s deep concern with Russia’s military buildup and ongoing destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine.

23. Statement from Minister Joly on so-called inauguration in Nicaragua

    Over the past 4 years, the Ortega regime has dismantled democratic institutions in Nicaragua. It has manipulated the electoral process to cling to power by arresting and detaining political opponents, repressing independent media and forcing journalists and civil society leaders into exile. As a result, Nicaragua’s November 7 elections lacked democratic legitimacy as does the inauguration taking place today.

24. Government of Canada honours victims on the second National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters

    Tomorrow marks two years since the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752), as well as the second National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters. On this solemn occasion, we remember the victims of all air disasters, including Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (Flight ET302), Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and Air India Flight 182, and stand in solidarity with all those who have lost loved ones to air disasters.

25. Statement from International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 marking two years since the tragic downing of Flight PS752

    The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement: “Almost two years ago, in the early morning of January 8, 2020, the Iranian military fired two surface-to-air missiles and destroyed Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 near Tehran.

26. Statement on resignation of Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok

    Canada regrets the resignation of Abdalla Hamdok, Prime Minister of Sudan, and recognizes his efforts during the early years of the country’s transition to democracy.

27. Joint statement of Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States on Russian courts’ decisions to liquidate Memorial

    “We deplore the decisions by two Russian courts to forcibly close International Memorial and the Memorial Human Rights Centre. For more than three decades, Memorial has fulfilled a unique role in documenting historical crimes and recovering for posterity the memory of the tens of millions of victims of political repression in the country. Memorial has also advocated tirelessly for the protection of human rights in Russia, exposing appalling abuses, including in the North Caucasus, and maintaining a growing list of individuals it considers political prisoners. The claim by Russian authorities that the Memorial Human Rights Centre’s principled and peaceful work ‘justifies extremism and terrorism’ cannot be accepted. Memorial’s work has never been more needed.

28. Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments

29. Biographical notes

    Biographical notes

30. Joint statement on deployment of Wagner Group in Mali

    We, the international partners committed to supporting Mali and its people in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability and combat terrorism, firmly condemn the deployment of mercenary troops on Malian territory. This deployment can only further deteriorate the security situation in West Africa, lead to an aggravation of the human Rights situation in Mali, threaten the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali Resulting from the Algiers Process and hamper the efforts of the international community to ensure the protection of civilians and to provide support to the Malian Armed Forces.

31. Canada announces $56 million in urgent humanitarian assistance for people of Afghanistan

    Canada remains deeply concerned by the critical and worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan.

32. G7 foreign ministers’ statement on Hong Kong Legislative Council elections

    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, noting the outcome of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong which took place on 19 December 2021, express our grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements of the Special Administrative Region's electoral system.

33. Joint statement on elections to Legislative Council of Hong Kong

    We, the foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, noting the outcome of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong, express our grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s electoral system. Actions that undermine Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms and high degree of autonomy are threatening our shared wish to see Hong Kong succeed.

34. Canada announces additional funding to help small-scale farmers in developing countries adapt to climate change

    Small-scale farmers are on the front lines of climate adaptation, yet they receive less than 2% of climate financing worldwide.

35. Joint statement from the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752

    The International Coordination and Response Group representing Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, met virtually to discuss the Islamic Republic of Iran’s response to our offer to discuss reparations for the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (PS752) and which steps need to be taken to ensure accountability and justice.

36. Minister Joly and Minister Sajjan conclude G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, concluded their participation in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

37. Minister Joly meets with South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the first time, on the margins of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

38. G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia and Ukraine

    Statement from the 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

39. Minister Joly speaks with EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, on the margins of the G7 Summit of Foreign and Development Ministers.

40. Minister Joly meets with German counterpart

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting.

41. Statement from the Equal Rights Coalition on the nexus between democracy and the human rights of LGBTI persons

    On the occasion of the Summit for Democracy, the undersigned members of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) affirm that the revitalization of democracy within our own nations and around the world is essential to promoting and protecting human rights, especially for those most vulnerable including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. Threats to the rule of law, rising levels of inequality, authoritarianism, and corruption are eroding democracy in every region, with grave consequences for LGBTI persons, among others. Persistent criminalization of LGBTI status and ongoing violence and discrimination undermine the ability of LGBTI persons to fully participate in democratic and political processes.

42. Canada imposes additional sanctions on entities affiliated with Myanmar military regime

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced additional sanctions against 4 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations in response to the Myanmar military’s ongoing repression of the people of Myanmar and the escalating violence, eroding human rights situation and worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, as well as the regime’s refusal to take concrete action to restore democracy.

43. Backgrounder: Additional Myanmar sanctions

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against the following individuals and entities in relation to the coup perpetrated by Myanmar’s armed forces in February 2021.

44. Statement on Human Rights Day

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today issued the following statement:

45. Canada announces financial contributions to partners through its Volunteer Cooperation Program

    In addition to increasing the participation of Canadians in international development, the Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) contributes to the economic and social well-being of the poorest, most marginalized and most vulnerable people, particularly women and girls, in developing countries. With a budget of almost $418 million, the VCP will fund 13 volunteer projects through 15 Canadian organizations, from 2020 to 2027.

46. Canada renews support for its Volunteer Cooperation Program

    Volunteering for international development is a powerful and cross-cutting way to advance the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Every day, volunteers dedicate their time and effort to ensure the inclusion of those often left behind and promote gender equality.

47. Minister Joly and Minister Sajjan to participate in G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will take part in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom, from December 10 to December 12, 2021.

48. Canada announces renewed commitments to peacekeeping at 2021 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial

    The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, participated in the 2021 Seoul United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial (UNPKM) virtual conference hosted by South Korea. Minister Anand participated in her role and on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

49. Backgrounder: Canada’s commitments at the 2021 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial

    Canada’s $85 million in new projects and contributions, as well as its renewed commitment on ongoing, multi-year support for UN peace operations and peacebuilding, is shaped by Canada’s feminist foreign policy, evidence and the collective experiences of peacekeepers themselves.

50. Canada announces support for global nutrition efforts

    The COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disasters and conflict are driving hunger and malnutrition worldwide, putting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable—especially women and girls—at increased risk of death and disease. As one of the largest donors to the nutrition sector globally, Canada is committed to working with its partners to reclaim the nutrition gains lost during the COVID-19 pandemic while also continuing to focus on the gender dimensions of the nutrition crisis.