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“The brutal Assad regime continues to wreak havoc on innocent Syrian civilians. Canada will continue to work with our allies to help the Syrian people,” said Prime Minister Harper. “To address the growing crisis, Canada is providing significant additional support to help meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable people in the region.”
In response to UN and International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement humanitarian appeals for Syria and neighbouring countries in 2013, Canada is providing $90 million in new support to humanitarian organizations operating in Syria and in refugee-hosting countries with a view to urgently providing food, clean water and sanitation, emergency health care, shelter, and protection for populations affected by the Syrian crisis.
An additional $25 million in support will also be provided to Jordan and Lebanon to build resilience of government services and infrastructure, including in health, education and the delivery of basic services currently under severe stress because of the influx of Syrian refugees.
General (Retired) Walter John Natynczyk, former Chief of the Defence Staff, becomes President of the Canadian Space Agency, effective August 6, 2013.
Margaret Biggs, currently President of the Canadian International Development Agency, becomes Senior Advisor to the Privy Council Office, effective July 8, 2013, pending her next assignment.
Paul Rochon, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Health, becomes President of the Canadian International Development Agency, effective July 8, 2013.
Paul Glover, currently Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Health, effective July 8, 2013.
Peter Sylvester, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, becomes Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Justice, effective June 24, 2013.
Anita Biguzs, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Transport, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, effective June 24, 2013.
Ron Hallman, currently Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, becomes President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, effective July 8, 2013.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank Elaine Feldman, former President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, who has retired from the Public Service, for her contributions and service to Canadians during her 35-year career.
Biographical notes attached.
“Canada and France enjoy a long and rich history of partnership and cooperation,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The Enhanced Cooperation Agenda that President Hollande and I endorsed today will provide a framework for our countries to further strengthen our excellent economic, political, cultural and people-to-people ties, laying the groundwork for years of further collaboration.”
This Agenda covers the vast relationship between Canada and France, and establishes a roadmap of concrete areas of collaboration that will evolve over the coming months and years.
More specifically, the two countries will use the ECA as a mechanism to facilitate cooperation in areas such as sustainable economic growth, international security and defence, and human rights.
Today’s announcement delivers on a commitment made by both countries in the Canada-France Joint Statement, announced during Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault’s visit to Canada in March 2013.
“The responsible and transparent management of natural resources is an important driver of sustainable economic growth in developing countries,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Through these new partnerships, Canada will work with Peru and Tanzania to strengthen the tools they need to effectively manage their natural resource industries, thus ensuring that their citizens benefit fully from these precious assets.”
The partnerships Canada is leading with Peru and Tanzania are part of a series of similar partnerships, which individual G-8 countries are leading with countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia to improve governance and transparency in the management of the extractives sector and of land.
Specifically, Canada will work with governments, civil society and companies, in collaboration with other G-8 countries, in both Peru and Tanzania to improve regulatory oversight, tax and audit coordination, and the management of royalties collected by local and regional governments from oil, gas and mining companies. More efficient resource management and increased transparency will help to maximize the benefits for the citizens of Peru and Tanzania from increased economic activity, enhanced accountability and improved public services such as education and health care.
The G-8 partnerships to support transparency in the extractives sector and land are fully consistent with the 2013 Lough Erne G-8 Summit theme of “Tax, Trade and Transparency”. In Lough Erne, leaders will focus on open economies, open governments and open societies to support free trade, tackle tax evasion and encourage greater transparency and accountability.
“Canada is recognized as a world leader in promoting transparency and accountability in the extractive sector both at home and around the world,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I am pleased today to announce that we will be further enhancing this reputation by establishing new mandatory reporting standards for Canadian companies operating in this sector.”
The new reporting regime will be established with a view to: improving transparency; ensuring Canada’s framework is consistent with existing international standards and aligned with other G-8 countries; ensuring a level playing field for companies operating domestically and abroad; enhancing investment certainty; helping reinforce the integrity of Canadian extractive companies; and, helping to ensure that citizens in resource-rich countries around the world are better informed and benefit from the natural resources in their country.
Over the coming months, the Government of Canada will consult closely with provincial and territorial counterparts, First Nations and Aboriginal groups, industry and civil society organizations on how to establish the most effective regime.
It is anticipated that the reporting regime will seek to enhance transparency and accountability around material payments by extractive companies to all levels of governments domestically and internationally, including taxes, license fees and other receipts.
The mandatory reporting initiative is in keeping with the United Kingdom’s priority of transparency put forward at the G-8 Lough Erne Summit.
Responsible resource development is a priority for the Government of Canada. In 2011, natural resources directly and indirectly employed approximately 1.6 million people and contributed close to 20 percent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.
The Honourable Alexandra Hoy, a judge of the Ontario Court of Appeal, is appointed Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal to replace the Honourable D.R. O’Connor who resigned effective December 31, 2012.
Justice Hoy was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2011. Prior to this, she served as a judge of the Ontario Superior Court from 2002 to 2011. As a Superior Court Judge, she presided over civil (including estates), family and criminal matters, sat frequently on the Commercial List and also in Divisional Court. In 2006 and 2007, Justice Hoy was one of three judges of the Superior Court in Toronto designated to hear class action matters.
Justice Hoy studied at the University of Alberta, l’Université Laval and York University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in 1975 and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. Following her call to the Bar of Ontario in 1980, she practiced with Lang Michener (now McMillan LLP) where she represented both public and private corporations, many in the broadcasting, cable, telecommunications and entertainment sectors, on significant corporate and commercial transactions. During this period, she chaired Lang Michener’s Business Law Group.
The Honourable Frank N. Marrocco, a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, is appointed Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to replace the Honourable J.D. Cunningham who resigned effective October 1, 2012.
Mr. Justice Marrocco was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in 2005. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1967 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1970, both from the University of Toronto. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1972 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1985.
Prior to his appointment, he practiced with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (Gowlings) from 2001 to 2005, with Smith Lyons Torrance Stevenson & Mayer from 1989 to 2001 and with McFadden Marrocco & Parker from 1972 to 1989. His main areas of practice were administrative law, civil litigation and immigration law.
Mr. Justice Marrocco has been an active member of the Ontario legal community, including the Law Society of Upper Canada where he served as Bencher from 1995 to 2005 and Treasurer from 2003 to 2005. He was Chair of the Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company from 2002 to 2003. He authored the Annotated Immigration Act of Canada and the Annotated Citizenship Act of Canada. He is currently the Co-Chair for Pro Bono Law Ontario.
The Honourable Robert J. Bauman, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, is appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia, with the style and title of Chief Justice of British Columbia and as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for the Yukon to replace Chief Justice L. Finch who will retire on June 16, 2013. This appointment is effective June 16, 2013.
Chief Justice Bauman was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in September of 2009. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1996 and a judge of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia in 2008.
In 2012, Chief Justice Bauman was awarded The Anthony P. Pantages, QC Medal by the Justice Institute of British Columbia and in 2013, he received The 2013 Bench Award from the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia. Prior to that, Justice Bauman had been a member of the Provincial Attorney General Rules Committee and Chair of the Supreme Court Civil Law Committee.
Chief Justice Bauman completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in 1971 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto in 1974. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1975. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, he practiced with Bull, Housser & Tupper in Vancouver from 1982 to 1996, with Wilson, Bauman in Kelowna from 1977 to 1981 and with Wilson, King &Co in Prince George from 1974 to1977.
The Honourable Robert G. Richards, a judge of the Court of Appeal of Saskatchewan is appointed Chief Justice of Saskatchewan to replace Chief Justice John Klebuc who will retire effective June 30, 2013. This appointment is effective June 30, 2013.
Chief Justice Richards was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004. He completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan in 1979 and a Master of Laws from Harvard University in 1982. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1983 and the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1985.
Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeal, he was a partner with MacPherson Leslie and Tyerman in Regina from 1991 to 2004 where his main areas of practice centred on public law and appellate matters. He also served as Director of Constitutional Law and Executive Director of Public Law and Policy for the provincial Department of Justice in Saskatchewan.
Chief Justice Richards has been a Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies since 2011 and is a council member of the International Commission of Jurists. He is a past co-Chair of the National Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. He has authored numerous papers on constitutional law, administrative law and advocacy issues.
Unless otherwise indicated, these appointments are effective immediately.
“This year’s G-8 Summit comes at a time of weak global economic growth and challenges to international security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “It is critical that members of the G-8 meet to discuss these issues, and I look forward to meeting with my G-8 counterparts to address matters such as free trade, tackling tax evasion, and encouraging transparency and accountability, particularly in the extractive sector. On international security, it will be crucial that we discuss coordinating responses to international security challenges such as the deteriorating situation in Syria and the ongoing threats posed by Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs.”
The G-8 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
During his visits to the UK, France and Ireland, Prime Minister Harper will promote trade and investment, underscoring the importance of concluding an ambitious Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. He will also discuss ways to address international security challenges with his fellow leaders.
During his bilateral visit to London, Prime Minister Harper will meet with David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will also address of the British Parliament and will have a private audience with Her Majesty The Queen.
While in Paris, the Prime Minister will meet with François Hollande, President of the French Republic, and with Jean-Marc Ayrault, Prime Minister of the French Republic. These meetings will build on Prime Minister Harper’s visit to Paris in June 2012 and the visit of Prime Minister Ayrault to Canada in March 2013.
In Dublin, Ireland, Prime Minister Harper will meet with Enda Kenny, the Irish Taoiseach, and Michael Higgins, President of Ireland.
“Our Government is working hard to increase market access for Canada’s world-class beef,” said the Prime Minister. “Today’s announcement is great news for the Canadian beef industry, which will gain full access to the Chilean market, creating growth and prosperity for Canadian exporters.”
Effective immediately, Canadian exporters will have unrestricted access to Chile’s beef market. The Canadian industry estimates that this renewed access is worth up to $5 million annually with potential growth of up to $10 million in three years.
The Committee was established in November 2006 to provide an external perspective and expert advice to the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the Privy Council on the renewal and future development of the Public Service. It comprises nine eminent Canadians, all of whom are recognized leaders in their professions and in Canadian society.
“I am very pleased to welcome these distinguished and highly experienced individuals as new members of the Advisory Committee,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Their considerable expertise in a wide range of areas will help inform the Committee’s valuable recommendations.”
Other current members of the committee include the Honourable Paul Tellier (co-chair), the Honourable David Emerson (co-chair), as well as Ms. Donna Soble Kaufman and Mr. Peter MacKinnon.
The main objective of the Advisory Committee is to help ensure that the federal public service remains strong, dynamic and agile. The Public Service of Canada is a vital national institution, with public servants delivering programs and services to millions of Canadians in every region of the country and around the world.
The Prime Minister expressed his sincere appreciation to outgoing committee members the Honourable Aldéa Landry, Mr. Tony Comper, Mr. Jacques Gauthier, and Ms. Sheila Weatherill whose valuable contributions will continue to influence the transformation of the Public Service of Canada. He also took the opportunity to remember the late Mr. John MacNaughton and his many contributions to the Committee.
For more information on the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on the Public Service visit: http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/index.asp?lang=eng&page=secretariats&sub=spsp-psps&doc=psr-rfp/pmac-ccfp/index-eng.htm.
Biographical notes attached.
His Excellency’s visit to Boston will include an address to the New England-Canada Business Council and local business leaders, and an event at Harvard University with Fulbright Canada, a bi-national organization that identifies some of the best and brightest minds in both countries and engages them in academic exchanges. While in Boston, the Governor General will also pay tribute to the victims of the Boston marathon bombings.
In New York City, His Excellency will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite, where he will speak about the diplomacy of knowledge, after which he will participate in a panel discussion on innovation at the Center for Urban Planning Science and Progress at New York University.
This visit will afford the Governor General several opportunities to affirm and further strengthen the very rich economic and academic ties shared between Canada and the U.S.
