July 5, 2012 -Ottawa, Ontario
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Member of Parliament for Vaughan, today made the following statement upon his appointment as Canada's Minister of International Cooperation (CIDA) by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Minister Fantino's new responsibilities include managing Canada's development objectives and making its international assistance more effective, focused, and accountable. Minister Fantino was sworn in as Minister of International Development at Rideau Hall yesterday afternoon.
"I am humbled to take on this responsibility as Minister of International Cooperation, and look forward to serving all Canadians in this new role," said Minister Fantino. "I look forward to continuing the good work already done by CIDA around the world, in particular the efforts to save the lives of mothers, children, and newborns as part of Canada's Muskoka Initiative."
Prior to his election to Parliament, Minister Fantino served for almost 40 years in law enforcement, including as Chief of the London Police Service, York Regional Police and Toronto Police Service. He served as Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and as Ontario's Commissioner of Emergency Management. He was also Vice-President-at-Large of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He was responsible for the Province of Ontario's aid assistance to the United States following Hurricane Katrina (2005) and travelled to Pakistan as part of Ontario's contribution to their recovery following their devastating earthquake in 2008.
"Our Government made great efforts to improve the effectiveness and accountability of Canada's aid programs. I will continue to make that a priority in my time as Minister of International Cooperation," said Minister Fantino. "I will work tirelessly to advance the Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."
Minister Fantino previously served in Cabinet as Minister of State for Seniors (January 2011-May 2011) and the Associate Minister of National Defence (May 2011-July 2012).
Julian Fantino
Minister of International Cooperation
