Ministers from Global Affairs Canada to attend Conférence de Montréal

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

June 11 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada’s progressive trade agenda promotes more women entrepreneurs gaining access to every facet of our economy. It also means championing gender equality within trade agreements to ensure that economic growth benefits everyone and empowers women and girls to help build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world.  

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced that they will participate in the 24th edition of the Conférence de Montréal in Montréal, Québec, on June 12 and 13, 2018.

While at the Conférence, Minister Champagne will deliver remarks and co-host a panel discussion under the theme “Supporting the Economic Empowerment and International Reach of Women Entrepreneurs”. This panel will provide an opportunity to promote Canada’s progressive agenda and foster a discussion on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world, as well as strategies that can be adopted to support their efforts to participate in global commerce.

Minister Bibeau will participate in a roundtable discussion entitled Africa: Paving the Way for an Era of Growth. This discussion will focus on empowering youth, particularly adolescent girls, in Africa to pursue successful entrepreneurial opportunities.

Quotes

“Our government is a proud partner of the Conférence de Montréal. The Conférence provides a unique platform to advance discussions and policies on the most important economic challenges of today. Too many women still face hurdles when trying to reap the benefits of trade and I look forward to using this opportunity to further advance our progressive trade agenda. Canada’s vision in the areas of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment will contribute to Canada’s economic growth and competitiveness.”

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

“With the conclusion of the G7 meetings last week where investing in growth that works for everyone and gender equality were priority themes, I look forward to continuing to move the needle and bring about real change for women and girls globally.  Our government is committed to bringing about solutions to ensure the full and equal participation of women and adolescent girls in decisions that impact their interests, life and future.”

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Quick facts

  • Held since 1995, the Conférence de Montreal is the largest, oldest and most well-established event organized by the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA).

  • The Government of Canada has been a key partner of the Conférence de Montreal since 1996.

  • This year’s conference theme is A New Globalisation: Managing Uncertainty.

Associated links

Contacts

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-203-7332
Pierre-Olivier.Herbert@international.gc.ca

Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
justine.lesage@international.gc.ca

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