Canada Watch :: January 2012

January 2012

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Prime Minister Harper at the World Economic Forum in Davos

At press time, Prime Minister Harper was traveling to Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum.

“The World Economic Forum is a unique opportunity for leaders to come together to discuss issues of global importance,” the Prime Minister said earlier this month. “This year’s meeting comes at a crucial time, when the world is looking for solutions to the economic challenges that are threatening a global economic recovery.”

The World Economic Forum is an independent, international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders to help shape global and regional agendas.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

Minister Baird Visits Haiti with Parliamentary Delegation

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, on the conclusion of his first official visit to Haiti this month, issued a statement in which he said that he was pleased with the visit and his meeting with Haiti President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Garry Conille. “During these meetings, I took the opportunity to underscore Canada’s continued concern with political stability in Haiti,” said Minister Baird. “Combatting corruption, support for an independent judiciary, and the establishment of a capable and professional police force are key for the long-term development of Haiti.”

Pointing out that the Haiti earthquake two years ago only compounded existing problems, the Minister added, “I am pleased to see Haiti’s leaders demonstrating the political will to tackle these challenges.”

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”.

The Prime Minister’s visit will build on his successful trip to China in December 2009, when China announced that it would grant Canada Approved Destination Status (ADS). This visit also follows President Hu’s visit to Canada in June 2010, when the two leaders witnessed the signing of new initiatives, including a Cooperative Arrangement committing Canada and China to resolving access for Canadian beef.

Canada and China celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations in 2010, and China is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $57.7 billion in 2010, while overall trade between the two countries more than tripled between 2001 and 2010. The Government of Canada is active in China in support of Canadian companies, with 11 service points comprising five diplomatic missions and six trade offices.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird addressing members of the Royal Commonwealth Society in London this month.

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.

“Our common history, our tradition of parliamentary democracy, and our shared values bind us together in unique and dynamic ways,” said Minister Baird. “In a period of intense and profound global transformation, Canada and the United Kingdom build upon these shared strengths as a model to the world.”

Minister Baird emerged from a meeting with Secretary Hague to announce Canada’s intent to tighten sanctions against Syria’s Assad regime. Also during his visit, Minister Baird delivered remarks before members of the Royal Commonwealth Society, calling on Commonwealth member states to promote and protect the fundamental rights of all people, to defend the vulnerable, and to give voice to the voiceless.

“I have said time and again that Canada will no longer ‘go along to get along,’” added Minister Baird. “We will speak out on the issues that matter to Canadians, whether the role and treatment of women around the world, the persecution of persons based on their sexual orientation, or the cowardly and targeted attacks on those who pray in the sanctity of churches, temples, mosques, or synagogues. I reiterated Canada’s commitment to establish an Office of Religious Freedom that will attest to the world that Canada attaches great importance to religious freedom.”

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

Minister Baird Concludes Successful United Kingdom Visit

Government of Canada Concludes Agreement in Principle with Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. to Build Non-Combat Vessels

Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, right, and Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino announce Canada’s commitment to the Wideband Global Satellite Communications System.

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.”

By signing on to the Wideband Global Satellite Communications System, Canada joins Australia, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the US in a global satellite system that will provide each nation with guaranteed access to independent communications channels drawn from frequencies that are internationally regulated for government use. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Canada will provide a one-time fixed payment toward the construction of a ninth Wideband Global Satellite in exchange for immediate and future access to the system.

“[Canada] is demonstrating its commitment to providing our Canadian Forces with the modern capabilities that ensure our brave men and women the best probability of mission success,” said Minister Fantino. "Canada is pleased to participate in this international partnership that is critical to the success of future Canadian Forces missions."

The Boeing Company, the builder of the satellites for the Wideband Global system, will have an Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) obligation to place high-quality business activity with Canadian industry, equivalent to 100 percent of Boeing’s share of Canada's contribution to the WGS system. As a third party to the Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and the United States Government, Boeing’s IRB obligation for the Mercury Global project is $240 million. The balance of $100 million includes $39.3 million for operations and service costs over 20 years, as well as other costs associated with supporting the program that will not be paid to Boeing. As such, the $100 million balance invested as part of the MOU will not have applicable IRBs, as the policy is only applied to companies.
This agreement adds to the 63 existing major procurements subject to the IRB policy which currently represents over $22 billion in IRB commitments from major defense and security contractors.

Government of Canada Concludes Agreement in Principle with Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. to Build Non-Combat Vessels

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this month that the Government of Canada and Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. have successfully reached an agreement in principle that paves the way for the construction of Canada’s non-combat fleet under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).

“Our Government is committed to supporting the Canadian marine industry, to revitalize Canadian shipyards, and to build ships for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard here in Canada,” said Prime Minister Harper.

The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy – the largest procurement sourcing arrangement in Canadian history – is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs across the country and will have significant economic benefits in shipbuilding and related industries across Canada.

The Strategy will deliver vital equipment to our men and women in uniform, giving them the tools they need to serve Canadians in Canada and abroad. It will involve skilled work in a variety of sectors, such as steel manufacturing, information technology, and defense systems development and integration. Small- and medium-sized enterprises across the country will benefit through the construction of large and small vessels, as well as work related to repairing and refitting.

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