Prime Minister Harper Announces Visit to China

Prime Minister Harper announced this month that he has accepted an invitation from the Government of China to visit China during the second week of February. While there, the PM will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

“Canada and China enjoy a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and collaboration, and rooted in strong social and cultural links, shared by over one million Canadians of Chinese descent,” said the Prime Minister. “Our Government is committed to moving our relationship with China forward by focusing on deepening economic ties, including opening new markets, and setting the foundation for long-term growth.” For full story»

Ministers MacKay and Fantino Announce Canada’s Commitment to the Wideband Global Satellite Communications System

Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay and Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will fill the strategic satellite communications requirements of the Canadian Forces over the next 20 years.

“The Canadian Forces’ recent efforts in Libya and Afghanistan have highlighted the critical importance of rapid communications between headquarters and deployed forces,” said Minister MacKay. “This agreement with our allies will meet the requirement for secure data and voice transmissions, which are essential to the success of modern military operations.” For full story»

Minister Baird Concludes Successful United Kingdom Visit

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird this month wrapped up a busy and successful three-day visit to the British capital that saw him advance Canada’s interests on a number of important files.

Among the highlights was Minister Baird’s meeting with William Hague, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. They discussed a number of pressing issues of the day, including Iran, and helped further the implementation of the Canada-UK Joint Declaration agreed to by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in Ottawa on September 22, 2011. For full story»

Canada Posts Trade Surplus for November

Led by energy products and automobiles, Canada’s trade balance with the rest of the world moved into a surplus in November, surprising most economists, who had anticipated a trade deficit of approximately $500 million. According to a Statistics Canada report released earlier this month, the country had a surplus of $1.07 billion during November, as opposed to a revised $487-million deficit in October.

“We had expected a reading in the black for November, and the details confirm that a stronger pace of activity in the US was a key driver of the month’s rebounding trade,” CIBC World Markets announced. For full story»

Canada Secures Access to US Market for Softwood Lumber Until 2015

Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Ed Fast and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk this month signed a two-year extension to the 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement. The extension secures Canadian softwood lumber access to the US market until 2015.

“The extension of the Softwood Lumber Agreement is great news for Canadian lumber workers and their families,” said Minister Fast. “This extension agreement will bring much-needed stability and predictability to the lumber industry. By extending the agreement, we are sending a clear message that our government is committed to securing predictable access to the US market and strengthening the financial security of Canadians.” For full story»

UBC Researchers Identify Potential New Therapy Approach for Hepatitis C that Could Benefit 170 million People Worldwide

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have found a new way to block infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver that could lead to new therapies for those affected by this and other infectious diseases.

More than 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, the disease caused by chronic HCV infection. The disease affects the liver and is one of the leading causes of liver cancer and liver transplant around the world. HCV is spread by blood-to-blood contact and there is no vaccine to prevent it. Current treatments for the disease are only moderately effective and can cause serious side effects. For full story»