Did you know...? - Edition 28

February 12, 2010

That… Minister Flaherty summarized the outcome of the meeting in Iqaluit of G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors. The participants agreed there are encouraging signs of a global economic recovery, but that the recovery is not yet firmly established. We need to continue delivering the stimulus we promised to deliver, while looking ahead to a sustainable long-term fiscal situation consistent with continued recovery. We are committed to working together to ensure that, to the extent a financial crisis is caused by financial institutions, the financial institutions should bear the costs. The G-7 countries have cancelled Haiti’s bilateral debts.  In Iqaluit, participants committed to working with international financial institutions and other partners to also cancel Haiti’s multilateral debts. The meeting reaffirmed the proven role of the G-7 as the “first responder” in an economic crisis, as a sounding board for common challenges and as a forum for the world’s largest aid donors.

That… The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, visited with Red Cross volunteers in Ottawa and gave an update on Canadians’ donations that have been matched to date.  In the short time since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti, countless Canadians have opened their hearts and their wallets in support of relief efforts. To date, $113 million worth of donations have been matched by the government. We thank Canadians for their generosity in the face of such a terrible tragedy.  For more information visit: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/NAT-2873638-GSY

That… Statistics Canada reported this week that employment in Canada increased by 43,000 jobs in January, considerably better than market expectations of a 15,000 job increase.  This job increase helped lower the unemployment rate from 8.4% to 8.3%. These numbers confirm that Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working.  January marks the fourth month of job gains in the past six months. This is on top of three consecutive months of economic growth in Canada, and the IMF predicting Canada’s economy will be at the head of the G7 pack in 2010 and 2011. While Canada is weathering current global economic challenges better than nearly every other industrialized country, our recovery remains fragile. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that our government won’t be satisfied until those Canadians who lost jobs are working again. As we enter Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our priority will be threefold: rolling out the remaining stimulus projects across the country; planning for deficit reduction once the economy has recovered; and building a strong foundation for job creation and economic growth.

That… The Supreme Court of Canada overturned two previous lower court decisions and ruled that the Government is not required to ask for accused terrorist Omar Khadr’s return to Canada. The Government is pleased that the Supreme Court has unanimously recognized that the conduct of foreign affairs is the responsibility of the executive branch of government. We are currently reviewing the ruling in its entirety to determine appropriate next steps. Omar Khadr is accused of the most serious of crimes, including the murder of U.S. Army medic Sergeant Christopher Speer and the planting of roadside bombs in Afghanistan.

That… Minister Cannon and Minister Strahl updated Canadians on our Government’s actions and leadership in exercising our sovereignty and strengthening the economy of the Northern Frontier.
Your Government is firmly asserting sovereignty over Canada’s Arctic lands and waters – sovereignty that is based on history, international law and the occupation of the region by Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. Our Northern Strategy focuses on strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, protecting the fragile northern environment, and promoting economic and social development while giving Northerners more control over their economic and political destiny. The Government is fulfilling its commitments to the North, with the creation of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and by investing in infrastructure projects in the north. The Government has long been working with its international Arctic neighbours and will continue to strengthen this cooperation as we host the five Arctic Ocean coastal states in March.  For more information on Arctic Ocean coastal states meeting in March, visit: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/54.aspx?lang=eng  For more information on the Northern Strategy, visit: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nth/index-eng.asp

That… The economy – specifically creating jobs – remains the top priority of our government. The Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet met to focus our efforts on the economy. The Prime Minister led a discussion on the best way to create jobs, opportunity and economic growth for all Canadians. Minister Flaherty, along with Ministers Finley, Van Loan and Clement discussed policies and proposals to lead Canada into the economy of tomorrow – to ensure we excel against foreign competitors, assure our place on the world stage and capture the jobs that come with it. Ministers Paradis and Prentice built on that discussion by presenting an assessment of how we can continue to create jobs by adapting new clean technologies to green energy opportunities. To ensure we have a workforce that is ready for tomorrow’s economy, Minister Finley presented fiscally responsible proposals to tackle unemployment and prepare Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow. These topics are all important ones as we take stock of the consultations we’ve done to date and continue planning for the Budget and laying down longer term plans in the Throne Speech. It’s clear that Canadians want us to continue to focus on the economy by creating jobs, opportunity and economic growth. 

That… Ministers Van Loan and Cannon announced that our government has successfully negotiated an agreement with the Obama Administration that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Preserving and creating jobs is your Government’s top priority.  The Government stood up for Canadian businesses and workers in resolving this issue with our American partners.  The result is an agreement that will benefit businesses and workers on both sides of the border. Canadian suppliers will have access to state and local public works projects under the Recovery Act in a range of areas, including programs of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.  We have also agreed to establish a fast-track consultation process should similar Buy American provisions be applied to future funding programs. The agreement announced also grants mutual access to provincial /territorial and state procurement opportunities under the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) – this too will help create jobs, and it sets an important precedent for Canada because it recognizes the integrated nature of our two economies. Looking ahead to further increasing opportunities over the long-term, Canada and the U.S. have also agreed to discuss a comprehensive, permanent agreement on reciprocal access to procurement markets at the state and provincial/territorial and local levels.  For more information visit: http://www.international.gc.ca/media_commerce/comm/news-communiques/2010/056.aspx?lang=eng

That… The Prime Minister was joined by Minister Toews and Minister MacKay on a tour of the Canadian Forces Integrated Command Centre in Ottawa, to observe security preparations for the 2010 Winter Games. As hosts of the 2010 Winter Games, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for athletes, visitors and Canadians. The security plan has been developed by Canada's experts in the field and will be led by the RCMP through the Integrated Security Unit (ISU). We want people to remember the excitement of the competition and the celebration – and not any questions of security. We look forward to showcasing our country and our athletes to the world.   For more information, visit: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=3112

That… The Prime Minister addressed British Columbia’s Legislature, at the invitation of Premier Gordon Campbell on the eve of the opening of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be the most ambitious international sporting events ever held on Canadian soil.  All Canadians are proud and appreciative of everyone involved in the organization of the 2010 Olympic Games for a job very well done.  Your Government has provided integral support for the Games in the form of venue infrastructure, cultural programming and a legacy fund to sustain the ongoing costs of sporting facilities and sport programming. These Games are Canada’s Games.  And all of Canada will be cheering our athletes on. 

That… At the meeting in Iqaluit of G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors, Minister Flaherty highlighted the need to focus on continuing fiscal and financial cooperation, following through on development commitments and assisting in the reconstruction of Haiti. The Iqaluit G-7 meeting was an informal, frank discussion on putting the global economy firmly on the road to recovery. The agenda included discussions on the state of the global economy and international financial markets, continued risks to the emerging worldwide recovery, and the future role of the G-7. Also discussed was the reconstruction of Haiti. Canada took the opportunity in Iqaluit to showcase our magnificent North and to highlight the contribution Canada has made to the global economic recovery. Our financial system is recognized as the soundest in the world, and we have implemented a stimulus program that is temporary, timely, and targeted – a program to create and maintain jobs, well beyond the commitment agreed to by the G-20.  For more information regarding the G-7, visit: http://www.g7.gc.ca/messages-eng.html

That… An exciting year lies ahead for Canada including, but not limited to, hosting the G-8 and G-20 meetings in June as well as a Royal Tour by Her Majesty the Queen.