First meeting of the GUAM Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs - Canada on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s 25th Ministerial Council.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be in Toronto, Ontario, to attend the Top 25 Women of Influence Luncheon, where she will deliver the keynote speech. Later, she will participate in a panel discussion at the Toronto Global Forum with Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of the Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Corruption is one of the greatest obstacles to economic and social development. It stands in the way of strong foreign investment and trade, and decays the fabric of society.
As you know, Canada has a special relationship with the people of the Caribbean region. It is based on our extensive people-to-people ties, our robust commercial relationship, our ongoing development cooperation and our shared constituency at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
On December 6, 2018, the Government of Canada announced up to $24 million to facilitate projects supporting fair, transparent and legitimate democratic elections in Ukraine. This is part of Canada’s commitment of up to $50 million annually, in support of socio-economic programs to build a strong and accountable democracy, and contribute to peace and security in Ukraine and the region as a whole.
Canada is a steadfast partner of Ukraine. Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada will contribute up to $24 million to support electoral reforms, election observers, gender equality and inclusive governance in Ukraine.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a media teleconference from Berlin, Germany, following her participation in meetings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, will highlight the importance of diversifying trade markets in a series of events with business leaders and local entrepreneurs in Vancouver, in British Columbia.
When Canadian companies have greater global market access and can compete on a level playing field, they have more chances to succeed and in turn create more high-quality jobs for middle-class Canadians.