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NEWS RELEASES

May 3, 2004 (10:30 a.m. EDT) No. 66

APPOINTMENT TO CANADA-U.S. PERMANENT JOINT BOARD ON DEFENCE

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced the appointment of Judi Longfield as the new Chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD).

Ms. Longfield, the Member of Parliament for Whitby-Ajax, was first elected to Parliament in 1997. She has served on the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, and is currently Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. She is also a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

"Judi Longfield served on the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs during its important review of Bill C-25 to amend the National Defence Act," said Minister Graham. "I am confident she will prove to be an invaluable asset to the Board and a firm proponent of Canada's defence interests."

Created by Canada and the United States in 1940, the PJBD is the senior advisory body on continental defence. It is composed of military and diplomatic representatives from both nations. For 64 years, the PJBD has served as a strategic-level institution charged with considering, in a broad sense, issues affecting the defence of the northern half of the western hemisphere. Bilateral defence recommendations are forwarded to respective heads of government and appropriate officials for consideration. The Government of Canada believes that the PJBD is a valuable forum for frank exchanges on security and defence issues facing our two countries.

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