NEWS RELEASES

March 17, 2004 (12:20 p.m. EST) No. 41

GRAHAM WELCOMES OPENING OF MÉDECINS DU MONDE IN TORONTO

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the opening of a Toronto branch of Médecins du Monde Canada (MdM-Ca), a non-profit organization based in Montreal recognized for its work on international health issues such as HIV/AIDS.

"We are pleased to support this internationally recognized NGO in its efforts to strengthen Canadian medical expertise for the benefit of local, national and international populations at risk," said Minister Graham. "Canada is committed to working with its domestic and international partners to beat the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to provide urgent humanitarian assistance where needed."

The Toronto branch is the first this NGO has opened outside Quebec. The MdM-Ca is headed by Dr. Réjean Thomas, director of L'Actuel, a medical clinic renowned for its work on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Through its extended network, the organization will bring Canadian leaders together to work on a variety of humanitarian and health-related projects.

Médecins du Monde Canada forms a part of Médecins du Monde International, founded by Bernard Kouchner. Other delegations are in Argentina, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca