“At the 2011 G-8 Summit in Deauville, Canada committed to working with partners in the Middle East and North Africa to promote economic opportunities and to advance freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The support announced today will help these nations lay a foundation for more modern and transparent economies.”

As part of its efforts, Canada will contribute to a Transition Fund, which will provide grants and technical assistance to help countries undergoing transition in the Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) strengthen institutions critical to economic development. The G-8 will work with regional partners, the World Bank and others to establish the Transition Fund.

A priority of the G8 Deauville Partnership is the expansion of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) operations to the Middle East and North African region to enhance access to credit. Delivering on this commitment, Canada has ratified changes to the bank, moving it a step closer to expanding financing for economic development in the region. 

Canada will also support sustainable economic growth in the region with two new development projects. In Jordan, Canada will contribute to efforts to create jobs for young women and men by improving their access to education and skills training. In Morocco, Canada will help strengthen training programs so that young people can obtain the necessary skills to secure jobs and start new businesses.

Today’s announcements support ongoing economic relations with the region, including negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with Morocco and the finalization of a Free Trade Agreement with Jordan.

The New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security will allow African partners, G-8 countries, other donors and the private sector to create new and innovative partnerships that will drive agricultural transformation, improve nutrition and unlock sustainable economic growth in Africa. These efforts will complement initiatives being undertaken by the African Union.

“As a continuation of our international leadership on food security and agriculture, we are pleased to support the New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The New Alliance is a partnership based on mutual accountability, aimed at unlocking the enormous potential of Africa’s agricultural sector and improving nutrition outcomes.” 

Canada’s contribution to the New Alliance, which will be funded through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)’s bilateral and multilateral programs, builds upon its solid track record of global leadership in food security. At the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila in 2009, Canada announced new funding of $600 million for sustainable agricultural development, elevating its total support to $1.18 billion. In April 2011, Canada became the first G-8 country to fully meet its L’Aquila commitment.

Canada’s support for the initiative will complement our multilateral and bilateral efforts to enhance food security and agricultural development in Africa.  More specifically, Canadian support will contribute to: assisting farmers throughout Africa to improve their yields and sell their crops, implementing food security initiatives in Ghana and Ethiopia, and developing a new Canadian-led initiative to support innovative nutrition research and technologies. Our contribution will also help build farmers’ resilience to unexpected events like droughts or conflict, while promoting long-term growth and productivity.

In 2009, the Government of Canada launched its Food Security Strategy, a comprehensive approach to address immediate food needs in developing countries and find solutions for lasting food security through three paths: sustainable agricultural development, food assistance, and nutrition and agricultural research.

At the G-8 Summit, Prime Minister Harper will reinforce Canada’s commitment to working with international partners to bring forward concrete solutions to the world’s most pressing economic, political, social and security challenges.

“The state of the world economy is a key priority for Canada, whose economic growth over the recession and recovery period has stood out strong among G-8 countries. I look forward to working with my counterparts to create the conditions for future prosperity and job creation in a global environment of fiscal restraint,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I also look forward to discussing critical political and security issues as we continue to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

The G-8 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union also participates and is represented by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The leaders of Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania have also been invited to participate in a discussion about food security on the continent.

At the NATO summit, Prime Minister Harper will reinforce Canada’s commitment to helping advance ongoing issues that are central to the success of the Alliance. The Prime Minister will be joined by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay.

“Canada is a key player in NATO, providing active contributions in Afghanistan and recently in Libya. The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and a major contributor to international peace and security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “We share our Allies’ determination to face common challenges and threats together and look forward to working within a strengthened Alliance that is more modern, flexible, agile and ready to face 21st century security challenges.”

NATO was created by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington on April 4, 1949, to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its people, based on the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Alliance has now evolved into one of the most important international organizations dealing with global security challenges. Canada views the Alliance as the primary forum for security consultation and cooperation between Europe and North America.

“Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with Poland by fostering an environment that will encourage growth and long-term prosperity for both countries,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The new tax convention is a step in the right direction, as it will help reduce tax barriers, and support increased bilateral trade and investment.”

The new tax convention will replace the 1987 Tax Convention between Canada and Poland to better reflect current Canadian and international tax convention policies.  In particular, the new tax convention lowers the maximum rate of withholding tax imposed on dividends paid between companies, and on interest payments.

Consistent with the Government of Canada’s policy announced in Budget 2007 to combat international tax evasion, the updated tax convention also includes provisions reflecting the standard developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the effective exchange of tax information.

Canada currently has tax conventions in force with 89 countries. The signature of this new tax convention with Poland reflects the efforts of the Government of Canada to update its tax convention network.

The Institute will contribute to the development of a sustainable hardwood industry in New Brunswick. 

“Our Government is committed to helping Canadian industries innovate, prosper and create jobs in today’s global economy,” said the Prime Minister.  “We are proud to be supporting the creation of the Hardwood Research Institute which will generate research and teaching jobs here in New Brunswick while also enhancing the competitiveness of Canada’s forestry industry.”

The new Northern Hardwood Research Institute will undertake research that will lead to a more profitable and sustainable hardwood industry. The research will form the basis of new programs and courses that will be taught at the UMCE which will complement the University’s existing Forestry curriculum.

The Institute is expected to increase the quality and quantity of available hardwood, improve resource management practices and increase cooperation between the UMCE, the forestry industry and Government. The project is expected to create seven full time jobs and as well as opportunity for seven graduate student research positions.

The Government of Canada’s contribution for the project is being provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Government of New Brunswick, the Université de Moncton and the private sector will also be providing support to the Institute.

“The global economic recovery remains fragile and it is critical that Canada strengthen its trade linkages with nations around the world, including with France.” said Prime Minister Harper. “Lawrence Cannon’s appointment as Ambassador speaks to the importance of Canada’s relationship with France with whom we have important cultural, linguistic and historical ties. His experience in the private and public sectors, as well as his significant diplomatic skill, will help ensure that Canada-EU trade negotiations are brought to a successful conclusion.”

Mr. Cannon will assume the position of Ambassador following the presentation of his credentials to President-elect François Hollande. Mr. Hollande will be inaugurated as President on May 15th.

Lawrence Cannon was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. He was sworn in to the federal Cabinet in 2006 and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 until 2011.

Between 2001 and 2005, Mr. Cannon served as a city councillor in Gatineau, Quebec. He was appointed President of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais in 2002 and President of the Association du transport urbain du Québec in 2004. He was a member of Quebec’s National Assembly from 1985 to 1994 where he held the posts of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Minister of Communications. Before entering municipal politics, Mr. Cannon was a consultant in the private sector.

A graduate of the University of Montreal, Lawrence Cannon holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Laval University.

Mr. Cannon will succeed Marc Lortie, who has served as Canadian Ambassador to France since 2007.

“Ambassador Lortie has been a valued advisor during my many visits to France as Prime Minister and I thank him for his outstanding service to Canada.”

“For more than one hundred years, members of the Royal Canadian Navy have served our country with pride, bravely defending national waters and promoting freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The Royal Canadian Navy Monument is a tribute to our Navy’s proud history and a reminder that members continue to put themselves in harms way every day for the good of our great country.”  

In true Navy tradition, the Monument was officially named by a member of the Service during the dedication ceremony. Miss Elsa Lessard, who served in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service during the Second World War, accepted this honour.

The Royal Canadian Navy Monument was designed by artist Al McWilliams, architects Joost Bakker and Bruce Haden, all from Vancouver, British Columbia. The monument, which is located in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region, will act as a lasting tribute to Canada’s Navy – both past and present.

“Canada and Poland enjoy excellent ties which are strengthened by our vibrant Polish-Canadian community,” said the Prime Minister.  “I look forward to exploring with Prime Minister Tusk ways to deepen our close bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and energy co-operation.”

The two countries have benefited from strong military co-operation, as well as growth in commercial relations. Poland is one of Canada’s largest merchandise trading partners in Central and Eastern Europe, with two-way merchandise trade valued at $1.7 billion in 2011.

Canada is home to a community of over 980,000 Polish-Canadians.

The three day visit, with stops in Ontario and Alberta, will advance bilateral relations and reaffirm the longstanding friendship between Canada and Poland.

“The Clerk’s Annual Report underscores some of the excellent work accomplished by civil servants over last year to help promote Canadian prosperity, meet the diverse needs of our citizens and improve the operations of the government,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “In the coming year, I look forward to working closely with the Public Service on building a leaner, more productive institution able to meet the demands of the future and the commitments in Economic Action Plan 2012.”

The Clerk’s report highlights the many accomplishments of the Public Service over the past year, including its response to natural disasters in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec, concluding ambitious agreements with the United States on perimeter security and economic competitiveness, finalizing and bringing into force free trade agreements with partners in Latin America, and releasing a Canada-First Nation Joint Action Plan. It also underscores how the Public Service has modernized the way it serves Canadians by consolidating Government resources through Shared Services Canada, expanding its commitment to Open Government, and engaging citizens through wider use of Web 2.0 technologies and social media.

The Report also sets the direction for the Public Service to adapt to ongoing fiscal pressures and the changing fabric of Canadian society. This includes working collaboratively and streamlining processes across Government organizations, taking advantage of new technologies and providing Canadians with better services at a lower cost.

Finally, the Prime Minister thanked the Clerk for this Report and his ongoing efforts to improve Canada’s Public Service.

The Report is available on the Clerk’s website (www.clerk.gc.ca).

The Diamond Jubilee Trust is chaired by Sir John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and will be managed by a board of trustees.  A Commonwealth Advisory Group is currently being established and Mr. Chrétien will serve as the Canadian representative.   

“Former Prime Minister Chrétien is uniquely qualified to serve as Canada’s representative to the Diamond Jubilee Trust.  Mr. Chrétien is a member of the Queen’s prestigious Order of Merit. His relationship with Her Majesty, which spans over 40 years, includes six official Royal Tours he hosted during his time as Prime Minister,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The Diamond Jubilee Trust is a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s dedicated service to Canada and the Commonwealth.  I would like to thank former Prime Minister Chrétien for representing Canada in this worthy charitable initiative.”

The Diamond Jubilee Trust was launched on February 6, 2012, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.  The Trust will focus on Commonwealth priorities such as combatting curable diseases and promoting education and culture.   The Trust will be funded by governments, individuals, organizations and the private sector, and will invest in projects that seek to make a real and enduring difference in people’s lives throughout the Commonwealth. 

For more information about the Diamond Jubilee Trust, including how to contribute, visit http://www.jubileetribute.org.