On April 12 and 13, President Barack Obama hosted a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, that brought together representatives from 47 countries, including all G8 and G20 members, to exchange views on the threat of nuclear terrorism and the pressing need to further develop and implement an internationally coordinated effort to enhance nuclear security worldwide. Aside from the remarkable common understanding that was reached regarding more effective international cooperation to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism and the unanimous commitments to strengthen the security of nuclear materials (see the Communiqué), Canada’s participation at the Summit, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, produced a number of “side” agreements going forward that will serve the cause of enhancing North American, indeed global, nuclear security. For full story»

Government of Canada Commits Additional CF Personnel to Train Afghan National Security Forces

While in Kabul last month, National Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that the Government of Canada is committing up to 90 additional personnel, primarily to support the training of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Of this increase in personnel, most of it will augment the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A), while the remainder will provide increased support within Joint Task Force Afghanistan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters, until the end of Canada’s mission in 2011.

“The Government of Canada is proud to contribute additional Canadian Forces personnel to prepare Afghans [to] build a stable, strong, and peaceful nation, which they deserve,” said Minister MacKay. “This increased role showcases the professionalism of the Canadian Forces as mentors and trainers to our Afghan allies.” For full story»

Canadian Forces High Arctic Operation Concludes

National Defence Minister Peter MacKay participated late last month in the closing ceremonies for Operation NUNALIVUT 10, the Canadian Forces’ annual exercise in the high Arctic. The year’s first Arctic operation featured the first-ever landing of a CC-177 Globemaster at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, and concurrent training between the Arctic Response Company Group and the Canadian Rangers, who conducted their patrols further north than ever before.

“The Canadian Forces successfully achieved their aim of demonstrating and improving upon their capabilities to respond to safety and security challenges in our Arctic,” said Minister MacKay. For full story»

OECD Hails Canada’s Economic Rebound

The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted in a recent study that Canada’s economy is eclipsing those of other G7 nations in terms of the speed and strength of its recovery. Observing that Canada’s economy likely grew 6.2 percent in the first quarter of this year (overall growth for Canada’s G7 peers is estimated at 1.9 percent), OECD said that Canada’s economy should continue to grow during the second quarter, this time at about 4.5 percent, or approximately twice that of the G7 average.

“Canada is benefiting from its past good policies,” said Pier Carlo Padoan, OECD’s Chief Economist, who noted that Canada’s strong fundamentals coming into the recession has helped it rebound. In addition, Canada’s debt relative to its economy is the lowest in the G7. Although many economists have forecast strong Canadian growth for the first half of this year, few have put growth above 6 percent for any quarter. For full story»