Canada Day Hits the Heights in Manhattan with Empire State Building Lighting Tribute
Canada Day in New York this year once again hit the heights and was celebrated with several events. The Consulate General of Canada took the “high”-profile celebrations of Canada Day in New York literally, successfully negotiating with the Empire State Building Company to light the historic building in Canada’s colors (red and white) on July 1 from dusk to 2 am, this for only the second time in the building’s venerable history. And on the evening before Canada Day, the Canadian Association of New York (CANY) hosted a sold-out party for its ex-pat membership and American friends of Canada at Manhattan’s beautiful 79th Street Boat Basin on the Hudson River. Finally, New York’s Canada Day celebrations were punctuated by a sold-out, two-show, July 1 celebration of Canadian songwriting at the prestigious venue, Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. The two performances featured an international line-up of singers and a house band of New York musicians performing songs written by Canadians such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Feist, The Guess Who, Alanis Morissette, and several others.
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The Canadian Space Agency Invests in Concept Studies for NASA’s New Frontiers Program
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded two contracts to Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) and a contract to the University of Calgary to develop three different concept studies for Canada's participation in NASA's New Frontiers program – the next space mission to another celestial body in our solar system.
"The selection process for missions like New Frontiers is highly competitive. It is a testament to Canadian talent that our industry and academic community are part of all three candidates for the mission," said CSA President Steve MacLean. "No matter which proposal wins, it is significant that Canada is in a position to play a highly visible and vital role in the final mission."
Under these contracts (valued at $500,000 each), MDA and the University of Calgary will work with international science teams to develop preliminary designs for three proposed missions, one of which will be selected by NASA for launch in the 2016-18 timeframe.
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Canada’s Environment Minister Reinforces Importance of Cooperation With Arctic Partners
Environment Minister Jim Prentice reinforced Canada's commitment to Arctic environmental safety at June’s Arctic Ministers' Meeting, held in Ilulissat, Greenland. Minister Prentice met with other Arctic states to discuss environmental protection of the Arctic, share best practices, and emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach.
“Canada has always recognized the importance of protecting the Arctic from environmental hazards," said Minister Prentice. “Our Government knows that, to do this, we need collaboration from all Arctic states in order to ensure [that] stringent standards and regulations are applied in the Arctic. That is why we are maintaining strong and cooperative relationships with our Arctic partners while ensuring that our own system of protection remains one of the best in the world.”
In addition to progress made at the Arctic Ministers’ Meeting, a separate bilateral meeting between Greenland and Canada took place during Minister Prentice’s visit. The Minister met with his Greenland counterpart, Anthon Frederiksen, and Industry and Minerals Minister Ove Karl Berthelsen to discuss cooperation between Canada and Greenland aimed at ensuring the highest standards for protecting public safety and the environment in the two countries’ shared Arctic coastal waters.
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Government of Canada to Regulate Emissions from Electricity Sector
Minister of the Environment Jim Prentice announced recently that the Government of Canada is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by moving forward with regulations on coal-fired electricity generation. “[This] announcement positions Canada one step closer to reaching its goal of being a clean energy superpower,” said Minister Prentice. “A responsible, clear phase-out of the electricity sector's inefficient coal-fired generation will allow ample time for the implementation of cleaner generation technologies. This will create new jobs in the clean-energy sector, while helping Canada meets its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions.” Thirteen percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from coal-fired electricity generation units. The proposed regulations will apply a stringent performance standard to new coal-fired electricity generation units and those coal-fired units that have reached the end of their economic life.
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The Cape Breton Clipper, the Island’s entry into the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, which the crew completed on July 17.
Cape Breton Island Takes Manhattan
In June, Enterprise Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Taste of Nova Scotia, and the World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada undertook a program of activities in NYC to advance the region’s economic interests. The events were planned to coincide with the arrival of the yachts participating in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, including one boat sponsored by Cape Breton. The program had a split focus, that of promoting Cape Breton Island tourism while also marketing Atlantic Canadian lobster to tri-state buyers. Central to the mission was a Cape Breton Island hospitality event, which attracted tourism media reps and seafood distributors to a large-scale lobster dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
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Minister of International Cooperation Beverley J. Oda.
Canada Pledges Support to Meet Humanitarian Needs in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Minister of International Cooperation Beverley J. Oda announced recently that the Government of Canada will provide funding for humanitarian assistance to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in meeting the needs of conflict-affected people in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. "This contribution will provide humanitarian support to those fleeing conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan, leaving their homes in fear," said Minister Oda. The Canadian International Development Agency is providing $500,000 in response to a preliminary emergency appeal launched by the ICRC. The appeal seeks to address humanitarian needs brought about by renewed violence in southern Kyrgyzstan.
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