July 10, 2009
No. 193
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today issued the following statement congratulating the people of the Bahamas as they celebrate their country’s Independence Day:
“Canada congratulates the Bahamian people as they mark the 36th anniversary of their country’s independence. Canada and the Bahamas enjoy a long-standing and warm relationship, built on a shared Commonwealth history, important commercial links and strong people-to-people ties.
“The Bahamian people are proud of their vibrant and diverse cultural history and the Bahamian diaspora has made a valuable contribution to Canada’s economic and cultural development. Bahamian students have been instrumental in the success of Canadian academic initiatives such as the Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarship Program. We hope this academic partnership will be enhanced by Bahamian participation in the new Emerging Leaders in the Americas Scholarship Program.
“Canada is proud to count the Bahamas as a friend and an important partner in the Americas. We value our countries’ close ties and hope to build upon them as we continue to develop our mutually beneficial relationship with the entire Caribbean region.”
For more information on relations between Canada and the Bahamas, please visit the following web page:
www.canadainternational.gc.ca/jamaica-jamaique/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/canada_bahamas.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=56&menu=L
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Eleanor Johnston
Senior Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-947-8981
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
