PM announces visit to South America
May 17th, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will undertake visits to Peru and Colombia from May 21 to 24, 2013. During the visits, he will meet with leaders, representatives from the private sector and Canadians who are helping to increase economic prosperity, reinforce democratic governance and advance common security in the region. While in Colombia, the Prime Minister will attend the Pacific Alliance Leaders’ Summit taking place in Cali.

“Canada is committed to increasing trade with the Americas to create economic opportunities for Canadians and people throughout the hemisphere,” said the Prime Minister. ”I look forward to working with our partners in the Americas to achieve these goals, and address shared security and development challenges.”

The Prime Minister will meet with President Ollanta Humala Tasso in Lima, Peru on May 22. Discussions will focus on deepening the overall bilateral partnership, which includes economic cooperation, development cooperation, education and defence. Since the entry into force of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement in 2009, Peru has continued to grow as a key market for Canada in the Americas. The country is Canada’s third-largest bilateral trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean after Mexico and Brazil, and the third largest destination for Canadian direct investment in South and Central America.

On May 22-23, Prime Minister Harper will attend the Pacific Alliance Leaders’ Summit in Cali, Colombia, where he will discuss issues of economic importance to the hemisphere, including trade and investment.

The Pacific Alliance is a grouping of four of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. It was launched in April 2011 to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital and people among member countries, and to strengthen their trade and investment ties with Asia. Canada has bilateral free trade agreements with all the founding members of the Pacific Alliance. Canada became an observer to the Pacific Alliance in October 2012.

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PM announces support for innovation in Atlantic Canada
May 14th, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for three projects in Prince Edward Island under the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF), which will promote jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

“Our Government is committed to helping innovators in Atlantic Canada succeed,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The support being announced today will help innovative companies in Prince Edward Island bring their cutting-edge products, processes, technologies and services to market, generating jobs and economic growth.”

New support being provided under AIF will help BioVectra Inc. develop two generic drugs employing sustained-release delivery technology and Delivra Inc. to develop more effective topical creams to relieve joint pain and improve circulation. AIF support will also help Island Abbey Foods Ltd. research and develop ways to use innovative dehydrated honey to deliver a broad range of therapeutic products. All three companies are in Charlottetown.

Since its launch in 2001, the Atlantic Innovation Fund has been helping Atlantic Canadians compete in a global knowledge-based economy through the development and commercialization of new and innovative products and services. In Economic Action Plan 2010, the Government ensured that funding for the AIF would be permanent.

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PM participates in roundtable on cyberbullying in Winnipeg
May 10th, 2013

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in a roundtable in Winnipeg to discuss practical solutions on how to protect youth from cyberbullying. The Prime Minister also toured the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, an organization that provides programs and services aimed at reducing child victimization.

“Recently a number of tragic events have highlighted the serious effects cyberbullying is having on our youth,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “We have an obligation to help put an end to harmful online harassment and exploitation in all its forms, and today’s roundtable with victims’ families and experts will help inform what further actions need to be taken to combat cyberbullying.”

The Prime Minister was joined at the roundtable by Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety; Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre; Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection; Carol Todd, mother of Amanda Todd; Leah Parsons (spouse Jason Barnes also present) and Glen Canning (spouse Krista Canning also present), parents of Rehtaeh Parsons; Pam Murchison, mother of Jenna Bowers-Bryanton; Jo-Anne Landolt, aunt of Kimberly Proctor; Sharon Wood, President and CEO of Kids Help Phone; Sheldon Kennedy, Co-Founder of Respect Group Inc.; and, Dr. Wendy Craig, Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University and Scientific Co-Director of PREVNet.

The Harper Government supports a range of education, awareness, prevention and enforcement activities to combat bullying, including cyberbullying, to help keep our young people safe online. These include: working with provincial and territorial partners to identify best practices; reviewing the Criminal Code to address any gaps related to cyberbullying; and informing Canadians about online safety through GetCyberSafe.gc.ca.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a leader in helping youth address cyberbullying. The organization recently launched a new online resource NeedHelpNow.ca, designed to help Canadian youth deal with the negative consequences of the creation and distribution of sexual content online. The site offers tips on removing content, strategies for dealing with peers and guidance moving forward. 

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PM to participate in Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
May 9th, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to New York City on May 16, 2013, to participate in a question and answer session with members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an important U.S. foreign policy organization and think tank. The session will be moderated by Robert E. Rubin, Co-Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations and former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

“The Canadian economy continues to perform relatively well in a time of global economic uncertainty,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I look forward to engaging with Council members on pressing issues including the global economy, trade liberalization, energy and security, as well as issues of importance to Canada and the U.S. such as the Keystone XL pipeline and the Detroit River International Crossing.” 

While in New York, Prime Minister Harper will also participate in a roundtable with American business leaders.

Canada and the U.S. enjoy one of the closest and most prosperous relationships in the world, with bilateral trade surpassing US$742.4 billion in 2012, and more than US$2 billion worth of goods and services crossing the Canada-U.S. border every day.

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PM announces Governor General state visits to Ghana, Botswana and South Africa
May 8th, 2013
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will travel to the Republic of Ghana, from May 13 to 16; the Republic of Botswana, from May 16 to 19; and the Republic of South Africa, from May 20 to 22, 2013.

The Governor General will participate in meetings with heads of state and government, senior officials, and civil society in all three countries with a view to further strengthening bilateral relations and deepening commercial and educational ties.

Canada has unique relations with all the African countries being visited by the Governor General, including strong commercial and educational ties with Ghana, significant mutual investment with Botswana, and strong education and commercial ties with South Africa.

Africa remains a priority area for Canadian international development assistance. The continent is also a priority market for Canada as it is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and offers tremendous opportunities in areas such as the extractive and infrastructure sectors.

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