Today we mark three years since Russia’s illegal annexation and invasion of Crimea. We condemn unreservedly this violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, the Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will make an announcement about humanitarian assistance funding in response to the ongoing food crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
Canada is committed to securing preferential market access for Canadian workers, producers and consumers, including in Asia-Pacific economies. Securing the right conditions for international trade and investment creates jobs and opportunities for Canada’s middle class to grow and prosper.
The Government of Canada is committed to increasing trade and investment with Latin America and to pursuing collaborative efforts to create export opportunities that will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises and create good jobs for the middle class.
The Commonwealth reminds us that the common values of democracy, inclusivity, accountable governance, human rights and the rule of law can be shared among people of various cultures, faiths, languages, backgrounds and beliefs.
I’m delighted with the opportunity to take part in this panel. I want to acknowledge the great job the organizers have done in bringing us all together.
John Cruickshank (BA [Literature], Trinity College, University of Toronto, 1975) was most recently the chairman of the Canadian Journalism Foundation and co-chair of Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. He was publisher of the Toronto Star, Canada’s highest-circulation newspaper, and president of Star Media Group from 2009 until 2016. He was the ninth publisher in the Star’s 124-year history.