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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">June 4, 2006<br>
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic<br>
2006/10<br>
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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="text-decoration: underline">CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">THE HONOURABLE PETER MACKAY,</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">MINISTER OF THE ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY,</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">AT THE</span><span style="font-size: 14pt"> DIALOGUE OF HEADS OF DELEGATIONS </span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY, </span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">36TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES</span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></span></p>
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<p>It is a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to be with you in the context of an
OAS General Assembly here in Santo Domingo.</p>
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<p>The Government of Canada takes great care to meet regularly with civil society
representatives such as yourselves. It listens attentively to their proposals and their
criticisms, which are equally important, and provides periodic updates on new
developments.</p>
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<p>This forum is valued by Canada as a place for meaningful interaction with the
proponents of civil society. It is important that many democratic actions and initiatives
are explored in a context such as this.</p>
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<p>In that regard, I am pleased to note that, across the Americas, civil society
organizations are taking every opportunity to make their voices heard, be it within the
context of this Dialogue, the Summit of the Americas, the Roundtable or the Virtual
Forum.</p>
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<p>In Canada, we firmly believe that ongoing dialogue with civil society is essential and
healthy. It is something that must continue to grow, for as my grandfather used to say,
“You can’t plant trees and flowers on rocks.”</p>
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<p>It is not only an opportunity to put our ideas into perspective and broaden our respective
horizons. It is first and foremost an opportunity for the government to stay connected
and “plugged in” to the concerns of citizens and their communities. In this regard, it
breeds, and breathes, accountability.</p>
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<p>This year’s theme for the General Assembly, “Good Governance and Development in
the Knowledge-Based Society,” reminds us how important it is for governments to stay
connected to their citizens. You have made this clear through your representations
today.</p>
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<p>Like you, I believe that, in the knowledge-based society, information and
communications technologies should be tools that bring people together, allowing
citizens to get closer to one another regardless of their origins, their geographic location
or their means.</p>
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<p>I am especially open to the suggestion that particular attention should be paid to groups
with special needs. We must ensure that women, youth, minorities, the disabled, the
poor and Aboriginal people do not fall by the wayside in the knowledge-based society.</p>
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<p>Furthermore, by promoting better dissemination of information, greater transparency,
and more sustained and inclusive participation by citizens in the democratic process,
new technologies should also be seen as a tool that can improve governance.</p>
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<p>In the end, what stands out for me as the main theme of your recommendations is that
governments should always make citizens a central focus of their concerns.</p>
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<p>Whether we are talking about development, education and health, public sector
efficiency or entrepreneurship, I would like to assure you that Canada will promote the
far-reaching roles of new technologies in fostering inclusion, increasing direct dialogue
and reducing inequalities in the region.</p>
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<p>Strong, vocal civil society organizations are key components of representative
democratic life around the world and in the Americas. Governments have the
responsibility to allow you to flourish and to listen to you, even when points of view
differ.</p>
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<p>A respectful, constructive dialogue is what Canada will always advocate. A competitive
and productive relationship depends on it, and we will continue to build this with you. It
is also particularly important that, in engaging with you, we keep in mind that the
outcome of our dialogue and exchange requires committed follow-up.</p>
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<p>It is a pleasure for me to have been able to be with you to participate in this Dialogue.
Thank you for attending in such large numbers. I hope that this conference will allow
me an opportunity to get to know many of you. I greatly appreciate your participation.</p>
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<p>Thank you.</p>
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