<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPENS DOORS TO CANADIANS</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">October 29, 1998 <em> (1:15 p.m. EST)</em> No. 248</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">OPENS DOORS TO CANADIANS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will open its doors to Canadians on November 2 to
mark a quarter-century in the Lester B. Pearson Building and to celebrate the contribution that its staff makes to
Canada's public life. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Open House, the Department's first, will allow citizens to meet the people who represent their interests
around the world, and to learn more about Canada's busy and constructive agenda in foreign affairs,
international trade and development. The Department has more than 7000 employees working in Ottawa and at
150 embassies and consulates around the world.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canadians are citizens of the world, and through our efforts we are helping to bring together a truly global
community," said Minister Axworthy. We want this Open House to be the catalyst to forging a new, closer
relationship with the Canadian public. Building that relationship will help us better represent their hopes and
values around the world."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Governments sometimes get accustomed to working behind the scenes," said International Trade Minister
Sergio Marchi. "That now has to change. We must engage Canadians in a more consistent, structured manner.
Only by working together can we build a more prosperous Canada."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Department's three Ministers and two Secretaries of State will be present at the Open House: Minister
Axworthy; Minister Marchi; Minister for International </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau; Secretary of State (Latin America
and Africa) David Kilgour and Secretary of State (Asia- Pacific) Raymond Chan. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Visitors are invited in the morning to an official ceremony in the Cadieux auditorium, during which contributions
will be made to a departmental time capsule before it is sealed for future generations to peruse. Guests will also
be able to tour more than </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">three dozen exhibits illustrating the Department's work, and to have their Open House Passports stamped at
every stop on their tour. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For those who can't attend the Open House, a live Internet broadcast of many events and activities will be
available on the Department's Web site (see address below). </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
</body>
</html>
