19 April 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada will provide $18 million over five years to help countries that have signed, or are about to sign, free trade agreements with Canada. The program will provide advice and training directly to partner governments and institutions in areas identified as priorities for assistance by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) partner countries. The goal is to help trade partners and potential trade partners in the Americas maximize the opportunities and benefits of increased trade and investment. The key results of this program will be increased two-way trade with Canada, improved market access and better regulatory reform, all of which will lead to faster customs clearances and improved health, safety and labour standards for eligible countries wishing to trade with Canada.
Organization of American States (OAS) – Americas Hemispheric Electoral Assistance Initiative
Canada will contribute $5 million to the Organization of American States’ Hemispheric Electoral Assistance Initiative. This program will help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve the transparency and effectiveness of their elections, including organization, administration and spending. This support will also increase the ability of the OAS to rapidly deploy election observers, leading to increased voter confidence in democratic processes and institutions.
