Ottawa, Ontario
27 February 2014
The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing relationships with key partners in order to further promote issues of common interest. To this end, on February 27, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan signed a Protocol of Understanding committing both sides to regular, high–level consultations on a range of global and regional issues.
The Protocol of Understanding aims to solidify the important partnership that Canada has developed with the Ismaili Imamat over many years. More specifically, the Protocol of Understanding will further strengthen Canada's ties with the Aga Khan and his network by consolidating their excellent development cooperation relationship; expanding the relationship to include a broader foreign policy and trade dialogue on regions and issues of mutual interest; institutionalizing the relationship through the reciprocal appointment of representatives and the holding of annual consultations; and demonstrating how much Canada values the relationship by expanding the number of courtesies extended to the Aga Khan and his representatives in Canada.
Many Ismaili Muslims arrived in Canada in the 1970s, fleeing political turmoil in Uganda. Canada has subsequently welcomed Ismailis from other parts of the world. Over time they have developed a strong relationship with Canada. The first permanent Ismaili Centre in Canada was established in 1985 in Burnaby, British Columbia. In 2010, the Prime Minister participated in the ground–breaking ceremony for a second Centre to be located in Toronto, alongside the Aga KhanMuseum and a landscaped park. These are slated for completion later in 2014. The two leaders also jointly opened the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa in 2008.
Canada has a long–standing development relationship with Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) – a major fundraiser for development activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). For over 30 years, Canada has contributed nearly $380 million to the AKDN through AKFC for activities that include projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tanzania and Bangladesh.
AKFC's and the AKDN's programming focuses on education, health, rural and economic development, and building the capacity of local civil society organizations.
AKFC and the AKDN are trusted partners of Canada on a wide range of international development initiatives, including in Afghanistan, in the areas of health, education, rural and economic development, and the creation of new opportunities for women. Canada has also supported AKFC's initiatives to raise awareness of international development challenges among Canadians.
Currently, Canada supports 13 operational development projects with AKFC, with a total Government of Canada commitment of over $216 million. These projects are being implemented in Africa and Asia, with a concentration of projects in Central Asia and East Africa.
The Government of Canada and His Highness are also partners in the context of the Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP), a secular, not–for–profit international research and education centre based in Ottawa.
