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DID YOU KNOW?
In 2004, Canada displaced Saudi Arabia as the largest supplier of oil to the US. |
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| WELCOME TO THE JULY-AUGUST ISSUE OF CANADA WATCH,
a monthly digest from the Consulate General of Canada (New York) chronicling noteworthy political, economic, business, science, and cultural news from Canada.
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In June, Canada continued its extraordinary year on the world stage, hosting both the G8 and G20 Summits in Ontario’s Muskoka region and Toronto, respectively.
The G20: “Getting Our Fiscal Houses in Order”
The G20 Summit that took place in Toronto on June 26 and 27 had as its central focus recovery from the global economic and financial crisis and laying the foundation for sustainable and balanced growth, as well as the implementation of commitments from previous G20 summits (as at the G8 Summit in Muskoka, accountability going forward was a major theme).
For the G20 leadership to discuss the global economic situation in Toronto, which Prime Minister Harper during his G20 opening remarks called “home of the most solid financial sector in the world,” was especially fitting. According to the G20 Summit Declaration, which was released on the Toronto gathering’s final day, “the G20’s highest priority is to safeguard and strengthen the [economic] recovery and lay the foundation for strong, sustainable, and balanced growth, and strengthen our financial systems against risks.” For full story»
The G8 “Accountability Summit”
At the conclusion of the G8 Summit in Ontario’s Muskoka region, held just prior to the G20 gathering in Toronto, Prime Minister Harper called the summit, which focused on international development (especially maternal, newborn, and child health), food security, political and economic reform in Africa, and peace and security, “very successful.” In addition, the agenda included discussions relating to the environment (“green recovery” strategies) and the economic crisis (a re-stating of the G8’s “commitment to free and open markets”).
Remarking that the G8 had committed “an additional $5 billion over the next five years…bringing the total to $7.3 billion on the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health,” the Prime Minister stressed that holding the G8 accountable for its commitments would be “key” moving forward. The Muskoka Accountability Report, a document designed to guide the assessment of “action and results against development-related commitments” made manifest this goal of effectively holding G8 nations to promises past, present, and future. For full story»
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PM announces Canada’s contribution to the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced during June’s G8 Summit in Muskoka that the total Canadian contribution for the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health will be $2.85 billion over five years. In addition to $1.1 billion in new money, the Government will also renew existing funding of $1.75 billion over the next five years, for what will be a permanent and long-term commitment.
The initiative, which will target the leading causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality and support comprehensive and integrated approaches to provide the necessary health services for mothers and children, was boosted at the G8 by an additional $3.9 billion – above and beyond Canada’s expanded commitment – in pledges from the international community. For full story»
Canada Cancels Haiti’s Debt
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced during the G8 Summit in Muskoka that Canada has paid off its share of Haiti’s debt to the Inter-American Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Canada is the first country to make all of the payments required to cancel the debt Haiti owes to all international financial institutions.
“Two weeks after the tragic earthquake in Haiti, Canada called for the full cancellation of the debt owed by Haiti to international organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,” said Prime Minister Harper. “With today’s announcement, Canada has fully honored its international pledge to the people of Haiti, and we urge others to follow this example…” For full story»
PM Holds Extended Outreach Meetings with Leaders from Africa and the Americas
In the midst of a busy G8 Summit schedule, Prime Minister Harper met with leaders from Africa and the Americas as part of Canada’s efforts at the G8 to engage key international partners on development and regional and international security.
His first meeting, with leaders from Algeria, Ethiopia (Chair of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development), Malawi (Chair of the African Union), Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, built on a strong G8 tradition of outreach with African partners. The leaders discussed their efforts to promote maternal, newborn, and child health as a key part of Africa achieving the Millennium Development Goals. For full story»
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Natalie MacMaster’s Musical Mansion
CD Spotlight: Natalie MacMaster, Yours Truly
Yours Truly, the latest recording from Cape Breton fiddling sensation Natalie MacMaster (who surely qualifies as one of Canada’s most precious natural resources), in many ways represents the pinnacle of this superlative performer’s career to date.
Ms. MacMaster, known for her scintillating live performances and on-stage ease, consistently translates that live energy to her recordings, and Yours Truly is no exception. Seamlessly blending the traditional music of Cape Breton – where fiddling is a quasi-religion – with a range of popular styles (including rock, blues, and soulful balladry), Ms. MacMaster enhances her reputation as a purist’s non-purist. For full story» |
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The Canadian Century? Foreign Policy Magazine Thinks So
In a glowing June 25 Foreign Policy magazine article, entitled “The Canadian Century,” its authors (Brian Lee Crowley, Jason Clemens, and Niels Veldhuis) present the piece as a record of “what the United States could learn from its northern neighbour.”
Among other accomplishments, the article cites the fact that Canada’s average rate of economic growth between the years 1997 and 2007 averaged 3.3 percent, the highest average growth in the G7. In addition, it says, during the same year period, the country’s employment growth was 2.1 percent, which is double what the United States achieved during the same period and, again, the highest growth rate in the G7. As for business investment during that same 10 years, the article says, Canada “outperformed” the G7 almost every year. For full story»
Canada Leads on Brain Repair
Head injuries, strokes, and tumors often lead to long-term brain damage, which can result in neuronal loss and a wide range of disabilities, such as reduced mobility, memory loss, or impaired reasoning. A recently launched project initiated by the National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS) is seeking to develop brain repair methods that can confront these all-too common problems head on. For full story»
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