News from the Canadian Embassy

Canadian Astronaut Dafydd Williams at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

On November 7th, Canadian astronaut Dafydd Williams, who played an integral role on the Space Shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission this past August, presented the crew mission video at a special event hosted in the Embassy Theatre. Mr. Williams showed spectacular photos of this 22nd shuttle flight to the International Space Station, emphasizing that it had been his dream since he was 7 to become an astronaut.

Students from local schools had been invited to attend this presentation. As a member of the Embassy Adoption Program, the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. is teamed with a different DC public school each year. This year the Embassy's adopted school is Garrison Elementary, which sent a group of sixth graders to the presentation. They were also joined by a group of students from the Washington International School, as well as Embassy staff and their family members. For more information about Canada's Space Program, click here.

Remembrance Day statement by the Prime Minister Ottawa, Ontario, November 9, 2007 — "...no matter where we are, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we can pause and reflect on the price paid for the peace and prosperity we enjoy today. It is the one way we can all repay the enormous debt we owe those who fought and died for Canada, the veterans who are still with us, and those who continue to serve so heroically today. Lest we forget." — Prime Minister Stephen Harper Statement

Prime Minister addresses the Canadian Club

Toronto, Ontario, November 8, 2007 — In a speech to the prestigious Canadian Club, the Prime Minister explained how low taxes, the centrepiece of the government’s efforts, will set Canada down the path to even greater economic prosperity.

News Release

Canada Requests New WTO Panel on U.S. Agricultural Subsidies

Ottawa, Ontario, November 8, 2007 — The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, announced today that Canada is requesting the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel on the issue of U.S. trade-distorting domestic agricultural subsidies.

News Release and Backgrounder

Government of Canada Invests in Canada's Largest Wind Energy Project

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, November 8, 2007 — The Prince Wind Energy Farm, situated on 20,000 acres of land northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, qualified for the one cent per kilowatt-hour incentive under the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power initiative. The wind farm's 126 turbines are capable of generating up to 189 megawatts of clean, renewable power, enough to power nearly 40,000 homes. Over ten years, this ecoENERGY program will provide about $53 million to the wind project and ensure that renewable energy generated at the wind farm can be delivered at competitive prices for Canadian consumers.

News Release

Canada Responds to Mexico Floods

Ottawa, Ontario, November 6, 2007 — The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today expressed Canada’s sympathy for those affected by the major flooding in Mexico last week and announced that Canada will contribute $500,000 to relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts.

News Release

Canada Continues its Renewed Engagement in the Americas — Minister Blackburn Announces a New Labour Program

Washington, D.C., November 2, 2007 — This initiative is being funded under the International Program for Professional Labour Administration (IPPLA), a two-year, $8.5 million project jointly funded by the Labour Program and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). It will help countries to act on the commitments in trade-related labour agreements, and to deliver on obligations resulting from the Summit of the Americas and the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour.

As part of the IPPLA, the Organization of American States (OAS) will receive $1 million for activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, studies and policy papers, as well as facilitation of bilateral collaboration between labour ministries throughout the hemisphere.

News Release

Industry Minister Jim Prentice Addresses Canada and U.S. Chambers of Commerce Event in Washington, DC On October 30th, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canadian Minister of Industry, gave a keynote address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The Minister's address was part of a day-long conference focussing on two key issues impeding North American competitiveness: labor mobility and border security. In his remarks, Minister Prentice told the participants: "The Government of Canada is committed to providing effective economic leadership for a prosperous future and to further strengthen the Canadian economy through our long-term economic plan, Advantage Canada, and through our Science and Technology Strategy." Minister Prentice added: "None of us — not governments, not entrepreneurs, not everyday Americans and Canadians and Mexicans — can afford to be timid about searching for solutions to the problems that stand in the way of our joint security and prosperity... Without the 'and' we won't have either." Full Speech

Congressional Friends of Canada Caucus event on Capitol Hill On October 30th, the Congressional Friends of Canada Caucus held a special reception on Capitol Hill. Hosted by Caucus Co-Chairs Henry Brown (R-SC-1), Don Manzullo (R-IL-16), Jim Oberstar (DFL-MN-8) and Mike Michaud (D-ME-2), in the presence of Michael Wilson, Ambassador of Canada to the United States, the event provided an excellent opportunity to underline the strong partnership uniting our two nations. The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canadian Minister of Industry, Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Thomas d'Aquino, Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, were also in attendance, along with the following Members of Congress: Chris Carney (D-PA-10); Howard Coble (R-NC-6); Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-25); Phil English (R-PA-3); Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11); Walter Jones (R-NC-3); Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI-13); Rick Larson (D-WA-2); Betty McCollum (DFL-MN-4); John McHugh (R-NY-23); Donald Payne (D-NJ-10); Thomas Petri (R-WI-6); Bill Sali (R-ID-1); Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-5); Bart Stupak (D-MI-1); Todd Tiahrt (R-KS-4); Timothy Walz (DFL-MN-1); and Joe Wilson (R-SC-2). There were also staff in attendance representing many of the other members of the Friends of Canada Caucus.

PM Announces Creation of Marine Conservation Area in Lake Superior

Nipigon, Ontario, October 25, 2007 — Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the creation of Canada’s newest National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). More than 10,000 square kilometres of Lake Superior, including the lakebed, islands and north shorelands within the NMCA boundaries, will become the largest freshwater marine protected area in the world.

National marine conservation areas are part of Parks Canada’s growing number of national heritage sites. They balance environmental protection with responsible economic activity by protecting key elements of the ecosystem while preserving the livelihoods of local residents who work in marine industries such as commercial fishing, sport fishing and shipping.

News Release

Speech: The Americas as a Priority

Ottawa, Ontario, October 19, 2007 — "...Canada is committed to hemispheric relations that work for everyone...Canada will play a dynamic role in the hemisphere...Our government is determined in its long-term commitment to Haiti.

"Our long-term commitment to the Americas will help generate new jobs, as well as advance our fundamental values of liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law." — Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier

Speech

Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses the House of Commons in a reply to the Speech from the Throne

Ottawa, Ontario, October 17, 2007 — In his reply to the Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged the Opposition parties in the House of Commons to support the Speech so the Government can start implementing its five-point plan for a better Canada.

Full address

Strong Leadership. A Better Canada.

Ottawa, Ontario, October 16, 2007 — Canadians can be proud of their country and its achievements. Working together we have built a nation that is prosperous and safe; a land where merit trumps privilege; a place where people from around the world live in harmony; a federation that is united at home and respected abroad. — Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada

Full address