NEWS RELEASES
CANADA INCREASES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONALSOCIAL SERVICE NETWORK
June 14, 2001 (10:15 a.m. EDT) No. 81
CANADA INCREASES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL
SOCIAL SERVICE NETWORK
John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) will be making a contribution of $80 000 per year over
the next five years to International Social Service (ISS) Canada.
"The Department continues to partner with ISS Canada to assist in managing complex consular
cases," Minister Manley said. "We work co-operatively on cases involving abandoned Canadian
children abroad, repatriation of destitute Canadians requiring medical or social services, and child
welfare matters including abduction, custody and access, family reunification, and the service of
court documents in associated cases."
International Social Service Canada is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit
organization whose aim is to assist individuals who, as a consequence of voluntary or forced
migration, or other social problems of an international nature, are required to overcome personal
or family difficulties, the solution of which requires co-ordinated action in several countries. ISS
Canada was incorporated in 1979 as an independent agency, and was accepted by the
International Council in Geneva as the Canadian branch of the International Social Service
network.
ISS Canada, which is based in Ottawa, handles all manner of international specialized liaison
social work, receiving referrals from the federal government and provincial agencies, as well as
from the ISS network abroad.
Over the past five years, ISS Canada has received a contribution of $60 000 per year from
DFAIT. On average, the Department refers some 50 cases annually to ISS Canada.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore
built into the existing fiscal framework.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sanjeev Chowdhury
Press Secretary
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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