NEWS RELEASES
CANADA OBSERVES COMMONWEALTH DAY
March 11, 1996 No. 36
CANADA OBSERVES COMMONWEALTH DAY
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy has made the following statement to mark
Commonwealth Day, March 11:
Canadians join the citizens of the other 52 Commonwealth countries, about one
third of the world's population, in celebrating Commonwealth Day. This year's
theme is Partnership.
The Commonwealth is itself a partnership -- linking governments, linking the many
men and women working together through Commonwealth-based organizations, who daily
bridge national, ethnic, language, cultural and economic differences to build
international understanding. Direct face-to-face contacts between citizens of
Commonwealth countries are helping in this goal every day of the year.
Canada is proud of its Commonwealth membership which serves to promote democracy
and human rights, so highly cherished by all Canadians. In November 1995, for
example, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in New Zealand created a
Ministerial Action Group, which includes Canada, to consult on collective
Commonwealth action when democracy is violated or threatened.
Canada is working through this Group to press in particular for an early return to
a democratic government in Nigeria and to advance the cause of democracy in other
Commonwealth countries.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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