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Canada’s strategy to respond to Rohingya crisis

May 23, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The grave humanitarian and security crisis in Myanmar is a global tragedy, which has led more than 717,000 Rohingya to flee their homes in Rakhine State and seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today unveiled Canada’s strategy to step up its response and meet the needs of those displaced and most vulnerable. This comprehensive strategy is based on recommendations highlighted in the final reportfrom the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, the Honourable Bob Rae.

Guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy, the strategy places a central emphasis on the needs of women and girls, and puts forward concrete and timely initiatives to promote human rights, gender equality, human dignity, and peace and security in the region.

Canada will lead on several initiatives, including those to improve living conditions of Rohingya refugees in camps and settlements. We will support efforts to bring perpetrators of gross human rights violations to account, and to achieve a political solution to the plight of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar. We will also help coordinate international efforts to address the crisis.

Canada will dedicate significant funding – $300 million over three years – to address the region’s humanitarian, development, and stabilization needs in a coordinated and timely way.

Canada was one of the first countries to respond to the crisis, and remains one of the top humanitarian donors. This strategy builds on our current efforts, and represents our commitment to do more while continuing to work closely with the international community and the United Nations on a path forward.

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“Canada will not stand idle while hundreds of thousands of people – Rohingya communities and other minorities – suffer gross human rights violations. We share a global responsibility to respond to this crisis. We commend others who have acted in a compassionate and generous way, especially the Government of Bangladesh and host communities in the region who continue to provide safe refuge to their neighbours in need. We will continue to step up to protect human rights, and promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and security for all, while working towards sustainable peace and true reconciliation in Myanmar.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada’s strategy addresses the four areas of action of Mr. Rae’s final report:

1. The humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh and Myanmar
2. The political situation in Myanmar
3. The question of accountability and impunity
4. Effective coordination and cooperation

• The Government of Canada is providing assistance to the region through humanitarian partners, including United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other non-governmental organizations.
• Since the beginning of 2017, Canada has provided $45.9 million for aid partners to deliver life-saving and gender-responsive support for refugees, displaced people, and the communities who are hosting them. This includes $12.5 million for the Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund that matched the generous contributions Canadians made to charities last year between August and November 2017.
• On October 23, 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau named Mr. Rae as his Special Envoy to Myanmar. Mr. Rae was asked to engage in diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, and to advise the Prime Minister on how Canada could best support efforts to respond to the needs of those affected and displaced by violence.
• Mr. Rae has made two trips to Myanmar and three to Bangladesh. He has met with officials, leaders and non-governmental organizations in those countries and others, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom, to assess the crisis and identify what Canada could do to address it. He has also visited the United Nations in New York to meet with senior officials and member states, and travelled to Geneva to engage with Kofi Annan – Chair of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State – and others working to address the crisis and promote peace and reconciliation in Myanmar.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau have each visited Bangladesh once since August 2017.
• The Prime Minister also continues to engage with other world leaders on the crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh, expressing his deep concerns over the situation in Rakhine State for Rohingya and other minorities.
• The Prime Minister has spoken directly with Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to highlight the need for Myanmar to accelerate efforts to uphold human rights and protect ethnic and religious minorities, and the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians and people returning voluntarily. During all exchanges, he confirmed Canada’s support for ongoing reforms in Myanmar and Canada’s readiness to help.

Related product

• Canada’s strategy to respond to the crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh

Associated Links

• Canada and the crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
• Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy
• Prime Minister appoints the Honourable Bob Rae as Special Envoy to Myanmar
• Prime Minister announces support for peace process and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar
• Prime Minister welcomes final report from Special Envoy to Myanmar
• G7 Leaders' Statement on Venezuela
  
  May 23, 2018
  Ottawa, Ontario
  
  
  We, the G7 Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union, are united in rejecting the electoral process leading to the May 20, 2018, Presidential election in Venezuela.
  By failing to meet accepted international standards and not securing the basic guarantees for an inclusive, fair and democratic process, this election and its outcome lack legitimacy and credibility. We therefore denounce the Venezuelan Presidential election, and its result, as it is not representative of the democratic will of the citizens of Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has missed the opportunity for an urgently needed political rectification.
  While the regime of Nicolas Maduro solidifies its authoritarian grip, the people of Venezuela continue to suffer human rights abuses and serious deprivation, causing increasing displacement which is affecting countries throughout the region‎.
  We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and call on the Maduro regime to restore constitutional democracy in Venezuela, schedule free and fair elections that can truly reflect the democratic will of the people, immediately release all political prisoners, restore the authority of the National Assembly and provide for full, safe and unhindered access by humanitarian actors.
  We remain committed to supporting a peaceful, negotiated, democratic solution to the crisis in Venezuela and to support the Venezuelan population through humanitarian assistance.
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  Statement by the Prime Minister on the anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident
  
  May 23, 2018
  Ottawa, Ontario
  
  
  The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the 104^th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident:
  “In 1914, the Komagata Maru, a steamship chartered by businessman Gurdit Singh, docked at a quiet pier in Vancouver. On board were 376 passengers of Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu faith seeking a better life in Canada. As fellow British subjects, they thought they would be treated with dignity and respect by the Canadian authorities, and would be allowed entry to this land.
  “At the time, unjust federal regulations prohibited passengers from disembarking in Canada if their vessel had stopped at any non-Canadian port during their journey. The government forced most of the passengers onboard the Komagata Maru to return to India, where some were later killed and others imprisoned.
  “Two years ago in the House of Commons, I apologized on behalf of the Government of Canada to all those affected by this tragic incident. They came to Canada to be part of our community and help build this country – and we turned them away. In the years since, we have learned, and continue to learn, from the mistakes of our past. We have chosen a more compassionate path, dedicated ourselves to doing better, and grown prosperous by opening our arms and hearts to people from around the world.
  “Today, we remember the victims of the Komagata Maru incident. We honour the contributions of Canada’s South Asian community and all people who have come to this country and offered the best of who they are. We will always stand up for – and celebrate – the diversity that makes Canada strong, proud, and prosperous.”

Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to visit Canada

May 22, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, will travel to Canada for a working visit from May 24 to 28, 2018.

The two leaders will meet in Ottawa on May 28. During their meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Ratas will discuss issues of mutual interest, including the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and regional security challenges. They will also explore how Canada and Estonia can work even more closely together to create jobs in both countries and build economies that work for everyone.

As part of the celebrations to mark the 100^th anniversary of Estonia’s independence, Prime Minister Ratas will meet with members of the Estonian-Canadian community in Toronto during his visit.

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“Canada and Estonia enjoy a strong relationship, rooted in decades of cooperation and strong people-to-people bonds. Our relationship is enriched by the vibrant Estonian-Canadian community – the largest Estonian community outside Estonia. I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Ratas during Estonia’s centennial year of independence to find ways to broaden our cooperation, and create more opportunities for Canadians and Estonians alike.”

—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• This will be the first formal meeting between Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Ratas.
• Canada and Estonia collaborate closely within the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Digital7, and the Open Government Partnership.
• On September 21, 2017, the provisional application of CETA took effect. CETA provides new opportunities for Canadian and Estonian businesses, and will enhance trade and investment in both countries.
• CETA will provide Canadian businesses with greater access to the world's second-largest single market, with over 510 million consumers and a GDP of $22 trillion, and will help eliminate barriers in virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU bilateral trade.
• Estonia ratified CETA on October 4, 2017.
• Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Estonia totaled nearly $110 million in 2017. Canadian merchandise exports to Estonia $24 million, and Canadian imports from Estonia reached about $86 million.

Associated Link

• Canada and Estonia relations

Statement by the Prime Minister on Minister Gould’s return from parental leave

May 22, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to welcome the Honourable Karina Gould back to her duties as Minister of Democratic Institutions:

"Earlier this year, the Honourable Karina Gould took a leave of absence from her role as Minister of Democratic Institutions to go on parental leave.

“Today, we welcome Minister Gould and her family back to Ottawa as she resumes her duties as Minister of Democratic Institutions. She now joins the many Canadian parents who work hard every day to balance their professional and parental responsibilities. The Government of Canada strives to support all Canadians who wish to have a family and a career, and we are proud to congratulate Minister Gould on being the first federal cabinet member to give birth while in office.

"I would also like to thank the Honourable Scott Brison, who served as acting Minister of Democratic Institutions during Minister Gould’s absence. During that time, he helped introduce important legislation to modernize Canada’s electoral process – something that is very important to the government.

"Once again, Sophie and I congratulate Minister Gould on the birth of her son and wish her and her family a future filled with love and happiness.”