November 2, 2006
No. 126
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, welcomed the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, António Guterres, on an official visit to Canada from November 1 to 4, 2006.
During the visit, Canada’s New Government announced that it will be contributing
$1 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) to assist with the implementation of the Mexico Plan of Action, which
proposes concrete actions for the regional resettlement of refugees.
“The UNHCR is a key partner with Canada in responding to global humanitarian crises,”
said Minister MacKay. “Canada is a committed advocate for the protection of more than
20 million refugees and other persons forcibly displaced by conflicts worldwide, and we
will continue to support effective international efforts to meet their needs.”
“Working with the UNHCR, Canada is helping to address the most basic needs of these
children, women and men by ensuring that they have access to the necessities of life,
such as shelter, health care, sanitation facilities, education, physical safety and
protection,” said the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation
and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages. “This year, through the
Canadian International Development Agency, Canada has provided over $30 million to
support this vital work.”
Canada’s contribution to the UNHCR supports lasting solutions for refugees, whether
by helping them to return to their home countries, to integrate locally into the country of
first asylum or to resettle elsewhere.
“Canadians have a long and proud tradition of coming to the aid of refugees. The
resettlement of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Canada is a testament to this
commitment,” said the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration. “The $1 million contribution of Canada’s New Government to the UNHCR
and the Mexico Plan of Action will go far to help refugees receive the care and
protection they need.”
During his visit, the High Commissioner met with Minister MacKay, Her Excellency the
Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, Minister Solberg and
Minister Verner. He also appeared before a joint session of the Standing Committees
on Foreign Affairs and International Development and on Citizenship and Immigration.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
819-953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
http://www.cida.gc.ca
Marina Wilson
Media Relations Spokesperson
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
http://www.cic.gc.ca
Backgrounder
A former Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr. António Guterres was elected the UNCHR’s
10th High Commissioner for Refugees by the UN General Assembly for a five-year term
in June 2005. Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service,
founding the Portuguese Refugee Council in 1991 and spearheading international
efforts to stop the atrocities in Timor-Leste. As president of the European Council in
early 2000 he led the adoption of the “Lisbon Agenda” and chaired the first European
Union-Africa summit. This is Mr. Guterres’ first official visit to Canada since becoming
High Commissioner for Refugees.
Canada’s latest contribution of $1 million to the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and the Mexico Plan of Action will help ensure that
refugees receive the care and protection they need. Through its support for the Mexico
Plan of Action, Canada will help interested Latin American countries establish and build
refugee resettlement capacity. In line with global commitments to find more solutions for
refugees, the Mexico Plan of Action pledged to create a regional Solidarity
Resettlement initiative that would enhance the provision of durable solutions for
refugees. By helping finance capacity-building initiatives, Canada will support regional
burden sharing by helping nations resettle displaced Colombians in neighbouring
countries.
The UNHCR’s main goal is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees,
consistent with its responsibilities under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status
of Refugees and its 1967 Additional Protocol (to which 143 states are parties), the pillar
of the contemporary international refugee regime. Today, the UNHCR leads and
coordinates the provision of protection and assistance to some 8.4 million refugees and
another 12.4 million “persons of concern” (including refugee returnees, internally
displaced persons, asylum seekers and stateless persons) and promotes durable
solutions to their plight.
Canada actively supports the work of the UNHCR through diplomatic advocacy,
financial contributions to its programs and support for the resettlement of thousands of
refugees to Canada every year. Canada is an active participant in the UNHCR’s
governance structures and actively contributes to shaping UNHCR policies and
programming. Key Canadian policy priorities include protecting refugee women and
girls, addressing insecurity in refugee camps and more effectively addressing
protracted refugee situations. Canada seeks durable solutions for refugees by
promoting comprehensive approaches that engage diplomatic, development, migration
and security expertise. Canada also attaches priority to increasing the effectiveness of
UNHCR management practices and efforts to achieve results.
Canada maintains a close bilateral relationship with the UNHCR on issues relating to
the Canadian domestic asylum system and the resettlement of refugees from abroad.
In fulfilling its obligations under the 1951 Convention, Canada cooperates fully with the
UNHCR. In addition, the UNHCR is a recognized referral organization for persons in
need of protection for resettlement in Canada.
Canada’s contributions to the UNHCR are a mix of core funding and responsive funding
to specific situations such as Darfur and Lebanon. Currently, Canada ranks ninth
among the UNHCR’s 15 major donors, having provided $31.2 million to date in 2006.
This latest contribution brings Canada’s total contribution to $32.2 million.
