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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 17, 2004 <em>(12:20 p.m. EST)</em> No. 41</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM WELCOMES OPENING OF MÉDECINS DU MONDE IN
TORONTO</strong></font></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206233704/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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