Canada Watch :: May 2009

May 2009

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Robert Fowler.

Canadian Diplomats Freed After Nearly Four Months in Captivity

On April 22, two Canadian diplomats – UN envoy Robert Fowler and his aide Louis Guay – were released after four months of captivity in Niger. The two men had vanished in December, along with their UN driver, after a visit to a gold mine in the region. Their abandoned car was found later, 35 miles northeast of Niamey, Niger’s capital. The release, brokered by African allies to Canada, prompted a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wherein the Prime Minister called the development “wonderful news” and expressed great relief at the outcome. The Prime Minister’s statement follows:

“Tonight we are greatly relieved to receive confirmation from the President of Mali that the two Canadian diplomats, Robert Fowler and Louis Guay, have been freed by their captors. Both are now in the hands of Malian authorities, and they are being transferred to our care as quickly as possible.

“I know that all Canadians join with me and with the families of Mr. Fowler and Mr. Guay at rejoicing at this wonderful news. I've spoken to the spouses of both men, Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Juris, and conveyed to them our sincere relief at tonight’s news. I cannot imagine the ordeal they have suffered in recent weeks.

“I also want to personally convey Canada’s appreciation to the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso for their efforts which have resulted in the safe release of Mr. Guay and Mr. Fowler. They understand, as we do, our responsibilities as governments to cooperate in countering terrorism and to ensure the safety and security of all people living within our respective borders.

“I also want to thank all of the men and women in Canada and around the world who have worked tirelessly over the past four months to resolve this terrible situation. Thank you for your dedication and your professionalism.

“We are also grateful to our allies and the United Nations for their support. We remain concerned for the safety of other Canadians held abroad against their will and the European tourists still held in that region. Our priority now is to get Mr. Fowler and Mr. Guay transferred to our care as quickly as possible and then reunited with their families.”

OTHER TOP STORIES:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Announce Loans to Support the Restructuring of Chrysler

Prime Minister Harper Pleased with Progress Made at the 2009 Summit of the Americas

Canada Offers New Support to the Inter-American Development Bank

Government of Canada Addresses Prevention Measures Being Taken Regarding Human Swine Influenza

Canadian Forces Announces the Successful Completion of High Arctic Operation

Minister Lawrence Cannon met with Patricia Espinosa, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Cannon Makes His First Official Visit to Mexico

The first official visit to Mexico by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, last month (before news of the H1N1 virus, or “swine flu,” had emerged from the country) provided an opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen the deep ties that bind the two countries.

While in Mexico, Minister Cannon met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa as well as other members of Mexico’s cabinet to discuss a broad range of issues including security, the global economy, climate change, energy, and labor and youth mobility. Minister Cannon reaffirmed Canada’s support of the government of Mexico’s efforts to tackle organized crime and improve public security.

The relationship between the two countries is based on shared fundamental values. Canada is a close friend and neighbor, as well as strategic partner to Mexico on North American, hemispheric, and global issues. This year, Mexico and Canada mark the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

Ministers Clement and Bryant Announce Interim Loan to General Motors of Canada Limited

Just four days after Prime Minister Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced restructuring loans to Chrysler Canada Inc. and Chrysler LLC, Tony Clement, Canada’s Minister of Industry, and Michael Bryant, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, announced that the governments of Canada and Ontario have provided $500 million to General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) as part of an interim loan announced last December. The government of Canada and Ontario have approved an interim bridge loan to be used only for working capital as needed while the company further develops its restructuring plan to meet their June 1 deadline.

“The federal government advanced this interim loan to support the orderly restructuring of a critical industry,” said Minister Clement. “Our job is to work toward a solution that will help restore the industry's long-term viability, and maintain our proportionate share of North American production as the auto sector emerges from restructuring on its path towards long-term competitiveness.”

Premier McGuinty (left) and Prime Minister Harper.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Announce Loans to Support the Restructuring of Chrysler

The governments of Canada and Ontario are co-operating to provide loans to support Chrysler Canada Inc. and Chrysler LLC in order to further the companies’ efforts to restructure while maintaining Canada’s 20 per-cent production share in the North American market.

“One month ago, we set very stringent conditions that Chrysler and its stakeholders would have to meet in order to receive additional government loans,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was joined by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Federal Minister of Industry Tony Clement, and Ontario Minister of Economic Development Michael Bryant in making the announcement. “Chrysler’s management, unions, and financial institutions have made the sacrifices required to meet our conditions. While the situation is difficult for everyone involved, these concessions are necessary for Chrysler to be viable going forward.”

The Government of Canada and the Ontario Government will provide CAD$3.775 billion in a joint package of loans to support the restructuring of Chrysler. This support is proportional to the US$12.08 billion package announced last month by the US Government.

The loans to Chrysler include an existing interim loan, a short-term working capital loan, and a medium-term restructuring loan — all to the company’s Canadian operations. In conjunction with the US Government, the Canadian governments are also supporting a court-supervised restructuring of Chrysler LLC through joint Canada-US debtor-in-possession (DIP) loans. The governments of Canada and Ontario will receive a combined 2 per-cent share in a restructured Chrysler LLC, and Canada will appoint one of the nine board members of the restructured company.

“I want to extend my appreciation to President Obama and to Premier McGuinty for their cooperation in resolving this very difficult situation,” said the Prime Minister. “Our government’s long-term goal remains the same – to ensure that there is a sustainable and viable North American auto sector in which Canada maintains its share of auto production and jobs.”

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, left of formation.

Canadian Navy to Escort World Food Programme Ship

The Government of Canada has authorized Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, currently conducting counter-piracy operations in the coastal region of Somalia, to conduct a naval escort of a UN World Food Programme (WFP) ship carrying life-saving supplies to Somalia. The government is acting on a request from the UN World Food Programme and UN International Maritime Organization, submitted through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“The Government of Canada is pleased to help ensure that the people of Somalia receive the food and supplies they so urgently need,” said Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and the Atlantic Gateway. “Through the brave work of the men and women serving in HMCS Winnipeg, Canada is once again able to make a difference by ensuring the safe arrival of World Food Programme supplies.”

The WFP is responding to urgent humanitarian needs in Somalia and aims to feed some 3.5 million Somalis in 2009. Of the WFP food assitance to Somalia, 90 per cent of it arrives by sea. While pirates have launched more than 79 attacks in 2009 on vessels off Somalia’s eastern and northern coasts, naval escorts have so far proven very effective in deterring pirate attacks on food aid shipments. To date, no WFP-contracted ships have been targeted while under escort. Naval escorts have been provided by Canada, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, among other countries, over the last year. Somalia has been beset by instability and insecurity for almost 20 years and is further affected by regional drought and increasing world food prices.

"The ability of the Canadian Forces to respond to such requests only demonstrates the agility of our military and Canada’s determination to support these international relief efforts," said General Walt Natynczyk, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff.

Prime Minister Harper Pleased with Progress Made at the 2009 Summit of the Americas

Following the conclusion of last month’s Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that he was pleased that the Summit provided a forum for making progress to fight the impact of the global recession on the Western Hemisphere.

“We sought to keep the focus on the global economic crisis, and I am pleased with the substantive discussions I had with my counterparts on ways we could work together as part of the global response,” said the Prime Minister. “I am also pleased that, for the most part, leaders were in agreement that maintaining open markets is critical to a regional and a global recovery.”

He added: “We saw a tremendous reciprocation of that spirit…by other members, who at times have had divergent views.”

To further strengthen ties between Canada and other states in the Americas, the Prime Minister announced several new trade and development initiatives at the summit. Canada will be doubling its commitment to the Inter-American Development Bank (see story below). In addition, the Prime Minister announced a five-year technical assistance program to help countries that have signed or are about to sign trade agreements with Canada. Finally, Canada will strengthen its support for democracy in the Americas through a substantial new contribution to the Organization of American States Electoral Assistance Initiative.

“We wanted to continue building Canada’s engagement in the Americas, and I had several good meetings with leaders in pursuit of that goal,” said the Prime Minister. “Overall, this Summit has been successful from Canada’s point of view.”

President Obama Once Again Spotlights Canada’s Resilient Financial System

In yet another acknowledgment of the strength of Canada’s financial system in the face of the current global economic crisis, President Obama called Canada “a good example” of a country that has “not seen some of the problems in their financial markets that [the US has].” The President’s comments were part of a cover-story interview conducted by David Leonhardt that appeared in the May 3 New York Times Magazine. President Obama added that Canada has “done a good job in managing through what was a pretty risky period in the financial markets” and concluded, “when it comes to something like investment banking versus commercial banking, the experience in a country like Canada would indicate that good, strong regulation that focuses less on the legal form of the institution and more on the functions that they’re carrying out is probably the right approach to take.” In February, President Obama was widely quoted when he told the Canadian Broadcasting Company that the performance of Canadian banks had been “striking” and that “Canada has shown itself to be a pretty good manager of the financial system in ways that we haven’t always been here in the United States.”

Prime Minister Harper Announces Enhanced Scholarship Program for the Americas

As part of the Government of Canada’s strengthened engagement in the Americas, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last month that Canada will invest in the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP). The program will award up to 1,600 scholarships for Latin American and Caribbean students to pursue studies or research in Canada.

“Investing in these scholarships will help create a new generation of leaders in the Americas with an extensive appreciation of Canada, including our values and our technologies and know how,” said the Prime Minister. “It will also help enrich institutional partnerships between Canada and other countries in the Americas.”

Prime Minister Harper at the Fifth Summit of the Americas last month in Trinidad and Tobago.

Canada Offers New Support to the Inter-American Development Bank

This year’s Summit of the Americas took place in the context of the worst global economic crisis in generations. While the crisis began in developed countries, its effects are hitting emerging and developing economies with increasing severity. Canada’s focus for the Summit was to encourage free trade and discourage other countries from moving back to protectionist measures.

With the attention of the region on the economic situation, the Summit presented an opportunity to connect Canada’s strengths and effective response to the crisis to the circumstances and needs of regional partners while building on the outcomes of the London G20 Summit. Canada is working towards recovery in its own economy and providing leadership internationally:

Canada’s strong stance against protectionism and in favor of further liberalization is opening new markets for its partners in the hemisphere;
Fixing the financial system is essential to restoring credit and investment flows to emerging economies;
Canada’s banks are solid thanks to the country’s sound approach to financial sector planning;
Accelerated, effective fiscal stimulus contributes to global demand and recovery;
Canada is making a substantial contribution to strengthening the resources of international financial institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the International Finance Corporation.

It is with this in mind that Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last month that Canada will work to temporarily increase the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) lending capacity in response to the financial crisis. The announcement responds to the urgent capital needs identified by the IDB as essential to an effective response to the effects of the economic crisis in the Americas.

“Canada is the only country taking a leadership role in responding to a critical need in such an innovative way,” said the Prime Minister. “This has not been done before and is a very significant contribution.”

This timely increase in support to the IDB will provide countries in the region with greater access to credit to promote economic growth, an essential element of economic recovery. It will temporarily double Canada’s lending capital at the IDB.

The IDB is a valued regional institution in which Canada plays an active role. The Bank is the main source of multilateral funding for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Canada is a non-borrowing regional member. Canada joined the Bank in 1972. The IDB is the oldest and largest regional development bank in Latin America and the Caribbean. Canada will host the annual meeting of IDB Governors in 2011.

Canada’s Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq.

Government of Canada Addresses Prevention Measures Being Taken Regarding Human Swine Influenza

Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones last month provided an update to Canadians on actions that had been taken by the Government of Canada in the management of the human swine influenza outbreak. The federal government continues to work closely with the provinces and territories and international partners to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

At the time of the update, the total number of confirmed cases in Canada was 13. All cases are the same strain of human swine influenza that has been found in the US and Mexico. To date, all of the confirmed cases in Canada have been mild.

“We recognize that the Canadian cases have been mild to date,” said Minister Aglukkaq, “but we are taking this situation very seriously. An enormous amount of work is being done by health officials throughout the country to monitor the situation, plan for the future, and make the best decisions possible for the health of Canadians.”

“In Canada, we are well-positioned to deal with this. We are following our national plan and working to mitigate the effects of a possible pandemic,” said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer. “That said, we have decided to move ahead with a travel health warning for Mexico recommending against non-essential travel to that country.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel health warning recommending that Canadians postpone non-essential travel to Mexico. Travelers arriving from Mexico are receiving information bulletins with health advice and are being screened for illness by border officers.

Dr. Frank Plummer.

Canadian Lab at the Center of Analysis that Led to “Swine Flu” Diagnosis

Dr. Frank Plummer, the Scientific Director of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory, last month responded to an email call for help from his counterpart at Mexico’s national microbiology lab with an offer of assistance that led to the Winnipeg lab playing a leading role in identifying the “swine-flu” (or H1N1) virus that has caused such concern around the globe in recent weeks. After 24 hours spent analyzing virus samples from 51 seriously ill people in Mexico, Dr. Plummer participated in a conference call with Mexican officials informing them that 17 of the samples indicated a new type of flu virus, one that had its origins in pigs.

"This is an interesting virus. It's a brand new virus, not only to humans but to the world," said Dr. Plummer. "About 80 per cent of the virus is highly related to a North American body of swine flu that's been around for a number of years, but about 20 per cent of it comes from an Eurasian variety of swine flu first seen in Thailand, so it's recombined to create something totally new. How it did that, where it did it, when it did it, I don't think we know yet."

At press time, it was announced by Canada’s Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones that Dr. Plummer and other Canadian scientists working at the National Microbiology Laboratory had completed work on decoding the genetic makeup of the H1N1 flu virus. “This is an important achievement for our scientists as it marks the first successful sequencing of virus samples from different countries,” said Dr. Butler-Jones. Genetic sequencing is the process of determining the order of the molecules that make up the DNA in each gene of an organism. This complete genetic blueprint provides important information for researchers studying the virus.

Minister Cannon Advances Canada's Arctic Agenda at Arctic Council Meeting in Norway

Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the Sixth Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on April 29 in Tromsø, Norway.

“The Arctic Council meeting provides an opportunity for Canada to advance its Northern priorities and foreign policy, and to discuss with other governments the opportunities and challenges presented by a more accessible Arctic,” said Minister Cannon. “The Council is the premier circumpolar organization for states and indigenous peoples to discuss Arctic issues of common concern.”

Joining Minister Cannon in the Canadian delegation to Tromsø were premiers Floyd Roland of the Northwest Territories and Eva Aariak of Nunavut, and Deputy Premier Elaine Taylor of Yukon.

Canadian Forces Announces the Successful Completion of High Arctic Operation

Canadian Forces soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen, and members of the Canadian Rangers successfully completed their missions last month and returned to the Command Post at Eureka, Ellesmere Island, signaling the end of Operation Nunalivut 2009.

Nunalivut, which means “land that is ours” in Inuktitut, is one of three major sovereignty operations conducted every year by the Canadian Forces in Canada's North. From April 4th to 17th, patrols of Canadian Rangers endured cold temperatures and rough terrain, traveling to the furthest reaches of Alexandra Fiord on the eastern coast of Ellesmere Island and circumnavigating Axel Heiberg Island along the western coast.

"The Government of Canada has made the Canadian Arctic a priority, and the successful completion of Operation Nunalivut is a reflection of our determination to enforce sovereignty and security over our territory," said Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

"Operating in Canada's High Arctic continues to be a challenge given the harsh climate, vast area, sparse population, and limited infrastructure," said Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Commander of Canada Command, the lead military organization responsible for Canadian Forces domestic and continental operations. "Annual operations like Operation Nunalivut offer valuable lessons on how to operate safely and efficiently in this challenging region.”

“Operation Nunalivut 2009 proved that the Canadian Forces are prepared to operate in the High Arctic,” said Brig.-Gen. David Millar, the Commander of Joint Task Force (North). “The Canadian Rangers and search and rescue technicians who patroled the ice, rock, and snow, and the Air Force personnel who supported them with re-supply flights, airlift, and surveillance, all demonstrated the dedication, determination, and skill that is essential to operate in this environment. This operation was a clear demonstration of tactical-integrated effect.”

This year’s operation saw RADARSAT-2/Polar Epsilon reconnaissance data used to provide information on ice and travel conditions to the advancing patrols. The operation also involved an exchange visit with the Commander of Greenland Command, Danish Rear-Admiral Henrik Kudsk, which may lead to future collaboration for Arctic exercises.

Canada Command's six regional commands, including Joint Task Force (North), monitor developments across the country on a continuous basis and stand ready to deploy the Canadian Forces when and where they are needed. Defending Canadians at home is the Command's primary mission.