Mr. Chair, Honourable Members, thank you for the invitation to appear before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, to speak about how our government is delivering on its foreign policy priorities. Last June in the House of Commons, I laid out Canada’s foreign policy priorities. At their very core, these priorities rest on the importance of maintaining a stable, rules-based international order. For our government, building on Canada’s long tradition of global engagement means a strong voice that stands up to intolerance and nativism, while also addressing the legitimate concerns of those who feel left behind by globalization. It means demonstrating constructive leadership within the established international order and with our partners to promote peace, security and prosperity in the world. Mr. Chair, this is exactly what our government is doing.
As part of International Development Week 2018 and on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, will participate in a panel discussion organized by Plan International Canada and Global Affairs Canada called “International development in the #MeToo era - Amplifying the voices and choices of girls and women everywhere.”
As a friend to Kenya, Canada is deeply concerned by some of the Government of Kenya’s recent actions, including the unlawful detention of opposition members without due process or access to counsel, and the shutdown of, and restrictions on, certain media outlets.
As many Canadians will soon be in South Korea to cheer on our athletes for the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Global Affairs Canada wants to ensure that Canadian travellers remain well-informed and travel safely.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement from Cotonou, Benin:
Internships abroad are a great way for Canadian youth to gain professional experience and boost their skills and knowledge. They help to prepare youth for future employment and become truly engaged global citizens.
Today, Canada announced funding of $59.5 million that will improve the public education system in Burkina Faso by providing greater access to quality education for the poorest and most vulnerable, especially young women and girls.
Education is one of the pillars of Canada’s efforts to tackle poverty and inequality around the world. As part of its Feminist International Assistance Policy, the Government of Canada is committed to investing in educationespecially for girls.
