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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt">September 21, 2006 <i>(11:25 EDT)</i><br>
No. 108</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt">APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF AIR NEGOTIATOR FOR CANADA</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the
Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the
appointment of Nadir Patel as Chief Air Negotiator for Canada. He replaces John
McNab, who will be serving as Deputy Head of Mission at Canada’s Consulate General
in New York.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Negotiating air services agreements with our trading partners is an important element
of our commercial relations and prosperity,” said Minister Emerson. “Mr. Patel’s
valuable experience with the Privy Council Office will prove a significant asset in his role
as Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator.”</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Canada has a busy schedule of air services negotiations and the results of Mr. Patel’s
work are expected to be beneficial to Canadian travellers, exporters and importers, and
operators,” said Minister Cannon.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">- 30 -</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">A biographical note is attached.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Jennifer Chiu<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and
the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics<br>
613-371-1557</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Trade Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-996-2000<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221041037/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">Natalie Sarafian<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities<br>
613-991-0700</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">Nadir Patel (BA, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1993) began his career in 1990 at the
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, serving in progressively more senior positions
in the Agency’s offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa and Montréal until 1996. From
1997 to 2003, he served as Departmental Assistant to the Minister, Director of
Ministerial Services, Agency Advisor to the Minister and Secretary to the Board of
Management with the Department of National Revenue. In 2003, he transferred to the
Privy Council Office as Chief of Staff to the National Security Advisor to the Prime
Minister, Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Minister to the Deputy Prime
Minister. In 2005 he assumed his most recent position as Senior Policy Advisor to the
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.</span></span></p>
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