Today marks the 6th annual Military Family Appreciation Day. On this day, we honour those who might not wear the uniform, but play a critical role in keeping Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans strong, ready and supported.
Following their landmark meeting in Toronto on September 19 and 20, 2024, the co-chairs, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, issued the following statement:
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Today, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Labour, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, issued the following statement marking International Equal Pay Day.
“Canada’s position on questions relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are guided by our historic and unwavering commitment to international law and a framework that best guarantees peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, which Canada continues to unequivocally condemn, and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza has made it more urgent than ever to return to a process that leads to a two-state solution."
In 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered the Marshall decisions, which affirmed that the 34 Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqey Nations in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and the Gaspé region of Quebec have a treaty right to fish, hunt, and gather in pursuit of a moderate livelihood. This right stems from the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1760 and 1761. In 2017, the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik was also identified as a Nation implicated by the Marshall decisions.
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, have issued the following statement