Ομιλία Ευ. Βενιζέλου στην εκδήλωση του Κύκλου Ιδεών «Με αφορμή το όνομα. Συγκυρία και στρατηγική στα Βαλκάνια»

Όταν παίζεις με τη φωτιά, θα καείς. Όταν παίζεις με τον εθνικολαϊκισμό είτε στις πλατείες των αγανακτισμένων είτε με πύρινους λόγους, εθνικολαϊκιστικούς δεν κάνεις ούτε εξωτερική πολιτική ούτε διαμορφώνεται εθνική στρατηγική για το μέλλον της χώρας, των παιδιών μας και των εγγονιών μας. Αυτό είναι το θέμα. Δεν υπάρχει Έλληνας Πρωθυπουργός και Έλληνας Υπουργός Εξωτερικών όλα αυτά τα χρόνια, τα 23 χρόνια που δεν έχει πει στο Γενικό Γραμματέα του ΟΗΕ και στον εκπρόσωπό του τον κ. Νίμις ότι η θέση μας είναι σύνθετη ονομασία με γεωγραφικό προσδιορισμό erga omnes. Όλοι το έχουν πει.    Θα είχαμε ή πρέπει να έχουμε αντίστοιχα συλλαλητήρια για τις ελληνοτουρκικές σχέσεις; Για μια κρίσιμη περίσταση που διαρκεί μέρες ή ώρες, όπως είναι η κρίση στα Ίμια; Ποιο είναι πιο μεγάλο γεγονός; Πιο μεγάλο γεγονός είναι οτιδήποτε συμβαίνει με τα Σκόπια ή αυτό που συνέβη στα Ίμια με την κατάθεση στεφάνου εκ μέρους του κ. Καμμένου που έδωσε την ευκαιρία στους Τούρκους να θέσουν ξανά με ιταμό τρόπο ζήτημα αμφισβήτησης κυριαρχίας και των λεγόμενων «γκρίζων ζωνών»; Πού προσβάλλεται η κυριαρχία και ο πατριωτισμός; Βεβαίως και πρέπει ν’ αναθεωρηθεί το Σύνταγμά τους, για να μας πείσουν ότι η παρούσα ηγεσία, η παρούσα αυξημένη πλειοψηφία, η παρούσα γενιά υπό τον παρόντα συσχετισμό, συμμορφώνεται. Αλλά λέτε να εμπιστευόμαστε ως θεματοφύλακα της συμφωνίας τη Βουλή των Σκοπίων, τον αναθεωρητικό νομοθέτη των Σκοπίων; Όχι βέβαια. Οι εγγυήσεις είναι διεθνείς.  Άρα, ναι μεν αναθεώρηση, εις ένδειξη συμμόρφωσης και σεβασμού και εις απόδειξη της καλής πίστης, αλλά εγγυήσεις διεθνείς για την ολοκλήρωση της συμφωνίας. Χωρίς σαλαμοποίηση, χωρίς μια νέα ενδιάμεση συμφωνία, χωρίς ένα νέο προσωρινό όνομα.

Ομιλία Ευ. Βενιζέλου στην εκδήλωση του Κύκλου Ιδεών «Με αφορμή το όνομα. Συγκυρία και στρατηγική στα Βαλκάνια» (12/2/2018)                         Σας ευχαριστώ γιατί με την παρουσία σας ενθαρρύνετε τον Κύκλο Ιδεών για την Εθνική Ανασυγκρότηση, αλλά δείχνετε και το μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον σας για την πραγματική πολιτική καθώς ζούμε μια συγκυρία στο πλαίσιο της οποίας η κυβέρνηση υπονομεύει κάθε τί που έχει σχέση με την ουσία της πολιτικής, υπονομεύει την εθνική στρατηγική και προσπαθεί να στρέψει την προσοχή της κοινωνίας σε θέματα τα οποία δεν προοιωνίζονται τίποτε θετικό για το μέλλον της χώρας και για τη δυνατότητα να διαμορφωθούν οι αναγκαίες συναινέσεις, οι οποίες ακυρώνονται και ευτελίζονται. Η κατάσταση στα Βαλκάνια Αρχίζοντας από το περίγραμμα, από την κατάσταση στα Βαλκάνια και ιδίως στα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια 27 χρόνια μετά τη διάλυση της πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβίας, μπορούμε να πούμε ότι πιθανότατα βρισκόμαστε λίγο πριν από ένα νέο κύμα αναθεωρητισμού, δηλαδή αμφισβήτησης και πάλι των συνόρων που χαράχτηκαν μετά τη διάλυση της πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβίας. Η κατάσταση είναι δυστυχώς εξαιρετικά εύθραυστη και αυτό αφορά πρωτίστως τη Βοσνία -Ερζεγοβίνη όπου η συνθήκη του Ντέιτον και η συνταγματική μηχανική έχει δημιουργήσει ένα δευτερογενές τεχνικό πρόβλημα το οποίο έρχεται να προστεθεί στην εθνοτική και κοινωνική πολυπλοκότητα της χώρας. Στο Κόσσοβο, πέρα από τις εκκρεμότητες που υπάρχουν σε σχέση με το διεθνές καθεστώς και την αναγνώριση, γιατί η Ελλάδα ανήκει στις λίγες χώρες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης που δεν έχουν προβεί σε αναγνώριση, επαπειλείται ή επίκειται, όπως θέλετε πείτε το, παραπομπή του συνόλου σχεδόν της πολιτικής ηγεσίας της χώρας ενώπιον Ειδικού Ποινικού Δικαστηρίου στη Χάγη που έχει συγκροτηθεί στο πλαίσιο της EUR-Lex. Και βέβαια η κατάσταση στην ΠΓΔΜ. Όπου, παρά την οριακή πλειοψηφία που διαθέτει στη Βουλή η κυβέρνηση Ζάεφ με τον κ. Αχμέτι, δεν υπάρχουν καλοί οιωνοί σε σχέση με την πλήρη και αμέριμνη στο μακρύ μέλλον εφαρμογή ούτε της Συμφωνίας της Οχρίδας, που είναι μια ιδιόμορφη συνταγματικοδιεθνής συμφωνία, ούτε σε σχέση με την περιβόητη Συμφωνία της 31ης Μαρτίου 2013, που αφορούσε τη δυνατότητα συνύπαρξης των συγκρουομένων πολιτικών δυνάμεων της σλαβομακεδονικής πλειονότητας στα Σκόπια. Αλλά, προβλήματα υπάρχουν φυσικά και στις σχέσεις Σερβίας- Κοσσυφοπεδίου και (με αφορμή τις σχέσεις Σερβίας και Ρεπούμπλικα Σέρπσκα) στις σχέσεις Σερβίας - Βοσνίας Ερζεγοβίνης και στην ίδια την υπόσταση και ανθεκτικότητα του Μαυροβουνίου η οποία δοκιμάστηκε με αφορμή και την ένταξη στο ΝΑΤΟ. Προβλήματα υπάρχουν σε όλη την περιοχή της πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβίας και στην Αλβανία. Έχουμε αυτά που είχαμε πάντα, ένα δίκτυο οργανωμένου εγκλήματος, ένα δίκτυο ισλαμιστικού φονταμενταλισμού και βεβαίως υπάρχουν προκαταλήψεις, στερεότυπα, που αναρριπίζονται, γιατί όλα αυτά διευκολύνουν καταστάσεις οι οποίες είναι εκτός διεθνούς αλλά και εκτός εσωτερικής νομιμότητας. Αυτά τα δύο είναι κάπως αδιευκρίνιστα γιατί υπάρχουν οντότητες, οι οποίες μέχρι σήμερα τελούν υπό καθεστώς προτεκτοράτου ή οιονεί προτεκτοράτου όπως συμβαίνει με τη Βοσνία Ερζεγοβίνη και με το Κόσσοβο. Και φυσικά στο τοπίο αυτό βρίσκεται πάρα πολύ κοντά η Τουρκία, η οποία έχει πολύ μεγάλο άμεσο ενδιαφέρον. Φυσικά και οι δυνάμεις στις οποίες αναφέρθηκε η κα Μπακογιάννη προηγουμένως. Η ρωσική παρουσία δηλώθηκε στο ζήτημα της ΠΓΔΜ με τις δηλώσεις που με μεγάλη ευθύτητα έκανε ο κ. Λαβρόφ, δεν επείγονται ούτε για την επίλυση του ονοματολογικού ούτε για την ένταξη της χώρας στο ΝΑΤΟ, αλλά αυτό είχε εκδηλωθεί και σε σχέση με τη Σερβία και σε σχέση με το Μαυροβούνιο και σε σχέση με τη Μολδαβία και σε σχέση με τη Γεωργία, για να προσθέσουμε στα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια και στα Βαλκάνια γενικότερα, τη λεγόμενη ανατολική γειτονία της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Η περιφερειακή ένταξη ιδίως ως προς τη Μολδαβία, δε μπορεί εύκολα να οριστεί γιατί είναι μια χώρα πολύ κοντά στα Βαλκάνια, γεωγραφικά και ιστορικά βαλκανική, όμως ανήκει στην λεγόμενη ανατολική γειτονία της ΕΕ . Και βέβαια όλα αυτά, όπως αντιλαμβάνεστε, αναδεικνύουν το πρόβλημα της στρατηγικής κρίσης της Δύσης, όταν έχεις μια αμερικανική διοίκηση η οποία εκπέμπει ασάφεια, αβεβαιότητα και νευρικότητα. Έχουμε μια Κίνα η οποία είναι παρούσα, αλλά πάντα πάρα πολύ διακριτική και υπομονετική στις κινήσεις της. Και έχουμε και την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση η οποία εξακολουθεί να είναι αυτό που ήταν πάντα, σε όλες τις φάσεις, δηλαδή εξωραϊστική, αποστειρωμένη, κάπως «σχολική» στις διαπιστώσεις της, όπως φαίνεται από το κείμενο που έδωσε πριν από λίγες μέρες στη δημοσιότητα η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή για τη στρατηγική της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια και για την προοπτική διεύρυνσης με τις χώρες των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, όπου τα μεγάλα θέματα είναι το κράτος δικαίου, η ασφάλεια και η μετανάστευση, η κοινωνική και οικονομική ανάπτυξη, οι μεταφορές και η ενεργειακή διασύνδεση, η ψηφιακή ατζέντα, η συμφιλίωση και οι σχέσεις καλής γειτονίας. Κάπου υπάρχει η γνωστή παράγραφος της Κοπεγχάγης, ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δε θα ανεχθεί την εισαγωγή στο χώρο της, με ένταξη κάποιου από τα κράτη της περιοχής, διαφορών διμερών που είναι κυρίως συνοριακές, οι οποίες πρέπει πριν την ένταξη να επιλυθούν μέσω διεθνών δικαστικών ή διαιτητικών διαδικασιών που οδηγούν σε οριστική και αμετάκλητη απόφαση, όπως έγινε και στην περίπτωση Κροατίας -Σλοβενίας. Ας θυμηθούμε λίγο τους αριθμούς: 27 χρόνια μετά τη διάλυση της πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβίας, από τις χώρες που προέκυψαν, έχουμε δύο που είναι κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, την Κροατία και τη Σλοβενία. Έχουμε τρεις χώρες που, κατά σειρά ωρίμανσης σύμφωνα με την Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή, είναι υποψήφιες προς ένταξη στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση: Τη Σερβία, το Μαυροβούνιο και την ΠΓΔΜ. Ακολουθεί η Αλβανία, όμως προηγείται της ΠΓΔΜ. Είχα την ευκαιρία, ανάμεσα σ’ όλα τ’ άλλα, κατά τη διάρκεια της Ελληνικής Προεδρίας να προεδρεύσω ως Προεδρεύων του Συμβουλίου, στην 1η Διακυβερνητική Διάσκεψη Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης – Αλβανίας και στην 1η Διακυβερνητική Διάσκεψη Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης – Σερβίας. Και έχω ζήσει μαζί με το Δημήτρη Κούρκουλα, επί του πεδίου, την εμπειρία της παρουσίας, των πολιτικών δυνάμεων, κυβέρνησης και αντιπολίτευσης, από τις δυο χώρες στη διακυβερνητική διάσκεψη. Το ίδιο κάναμε βέβαια και με την Τουρκία, η οποία είναι πολύ παλαιότερο υποψήφιο προς ένταξη μέλος.

RUSSIA's latest

Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018
15 February 2018 14:00 Sochi, Krasnodar Territory


Plenary session Investing in the Regions, Investing in the Future.


Plenary session Investing in the Regions, Investing in the Future

15 February 2018


Touring the exhibition stands of the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Touring the exhibition stands of the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Plenary session of the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Dmitry Medvedev addressing a plenary session of the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Plenary session of the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Signing agreements at the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


Signing agreements at the Russian Investment Forum Sochi 2018

15 February 2018


The Development Award 2018 ceremony

15 February 2018


The Development Award 2018 ceremony

15 February 2018
Следующая новость


Plenary session Investing in the Regions, Investing in the Future

The main theme of the forum this year is Forming the Image of the Future. The programme comprises three blocks: New Regional Policy: Improving Administration, A Fresh Boost for Regional Business, and Improving the Quality of Life.

The Russian Investment Forum exhibition includes promising investment projects from the regions and companies.

From Dmitry Medvedev’s speech:

Last year, we had a revival of investment activity and the economic situation as a whole.

It is important that the inflow of investments was high enough to promote an emergence of new industries, in addition to support the work of conventional ones. To build a strong and healthy economy, our focus should be on making its structure as diverse as possible.

We have ensured macroeconomic stability. Even under the sanctions, our economy has become less vulnerable to external shocks and commodity prices. We brought inflation down to a record low of 2.5 percent last year. By the end of January, it fell to 2.2 percent compared with January 2017. In 2015, it was five times higher, 13 percent.

We have a stable financial system and the national currency exchange rate, as well as a balanced federal budget – this year we even may show a surplus. We are starting to add funds to our sovereign fund. GDP showed an upward trend, including through targeted support of industries. We have had an all-time record grain harvest.

We must concentrate our efforts primarily on creating stable and predictable rules for businesses, ensuring investment growth, and further improving the business climate.

Above all, it is imperative to increase investment in human resources. We need high-tech medicine, modern world-level education, and investment in infrastructure, specifically, new high-quality roads, bridges, power grids, and engineering systems which form the framework for the muscles of the economy which are modern manufacturing facilities.

Budgetary funds alone are not enough to get the economy going; it is necessary to encourage commercial investment and to create the proper conditions to draw investors.

Above all, investors need a predictable business environment, which is ensured by a stable taxation system that should help businesses grow, and low inflation that shouldn’t go beyond certain parameters. We talked about 4 percent, but now it's even lower. Add to that a transparent and predictable tariff policy.

The state should not subject businesses to unfair and excessive competition. There’s no reason to support the creation of similar manufacturing facilities in neighbouring regions unless there is actual demand for output. This implies the need for better planning investment strategies for each region and coordinating them with other regions.

Investors are also interested in the infrastructure. Low investment activity can often be ascribed to substandard infrastructure.

We are getting ready to launch an infrastructural mortgage programme. It will allow the state to invest in infrastructure with loan installments. As a result, the same level of investment will allow us to start building more sites.

Cheap long money is critical. Consistent efforts are underway to reduce lending rates, primarily through the effective use of inflation targeting. Last week, the Central Bank again lowered the key annual rate to 7.5 percent and is ready to create more favourable conditions for banks that issue manufacturing development loans.

We are creating innovative long-term investment tools. Today I signed a resolution to approve the Project Finance Factory programme, as well as rules for granting subsidies to VEB for carrying out credit transactions under this factory arrangement. Today, we will also sign key agreements on cooperation between Vnesheconombank and commercial banks, as well as on organising financing with project originators. We will start out with six projects. The total investment will reach about 180 billion roubles, most of which is private funds.

In 2017, we issued 670 billion roubles in loans under all incentive loan programmes. This ultimately resulted in a 3 percent reduction in loan interest on the market. This year we have launched a revised programme, under which the investment loan rate will be 6.5 percent and the largest possible loan is 1 billion roubles. We have selected 15 banks for this programme.

A positive example of long-term investment instruments is the issuance of federal loan bonds (OFZ) for individuals. We started selling them last spring. The first batch sold out very quickly. Overall, individuals have bought some 30 billion roubles’ worth of federal loan bonds. I would like to ask the Finance Ministry to analyse the possibility of increasing the emission of OFZ for individuals to 100 billion roubles in 2018. I believe this practice should also be used at the regional level so that the constituent entities are interested in issuing their own securities for individuals.

We have been working hard for the past few years to improve the conditions for doing business in Russia. We continued to improve our ranking on the Doing Business Index, rising from 124th place in 2011 to 35th in 2017. We have reached a level that is comparable to that of the world’s largest economies.

Over the past few years, we have gained considerable experience in digitalising relations between the state and the citizens. We must now digitalise the relations between business and the state, primarily in the sectors where officials might be tempted to use their authority for personal gain.

The widespread installation of online cash registers has created conditions for seriously reducing, and in some cases, eliminating tax reporting by some groups of small and medium-sized companies.

We need to start developing a national data management system at the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). In this context, the Economic Development Ministry should prepare a priority Government project on this issue as soon as possible.

The State Duma is considering a bill that will bring order to all types of government control. It is necessary to develop a smart control system. Oversight bodies are already required to publicise their requirements for inspections. There is a unified inspection registry. Efficiency of government control is not measured by fines or sanctions but by the efforts taken to prevent violations.

Every city and every region can create new opportunities. It is necessary to find the key to progress. This key could be a potentially successful industry or a competitive advantage. The Spatial Development Strategy until 2025 must help with this. The strategy will be finished this year. It is to produce the very infrastructure framework we need.

In addition to major projects, we must map out the numerous areas for small and medium-sized businesses to apply their capacities. This will allow us to create as many smaller-scale centres as possible in addition to global competition centres (big cities and metropolitan areas). Smaller cities and towns must determine one or two niches where they can compete, and focus on them.

Our primary goal is to create an environment where regional and local authorities can independently address issues in their own economic and social spheres. This is included in the Regional Policy Guidelines approved by the President. A number of recent decisions in the area of inter-budgetary relations were made with that goal in mind. Total intergovernmental transfers will exceed 1.7 trillion roubles this year, which is approximately 2.5 percent more than last year.

State support is now based strictly on regional leaders’ achievements. To be eligible for this support, the regional authorities must commit to grow their economy and rehabilitate their finances, and be accountable for honouring their commitments. We need to support the regions’ independence in every possible way and give them more freedom.

Grants for achieving the highest growth rates have been allocated since last year. This year, corporate revenue tax growth (about 36 billion roubles) is being returned to regional budgets.

Our regional policy seeks to make people want to live in their area, so they don’t want to leave in search of a better life. The social well-being of people is the hallmark of a strong economy.

We will engage in all these social areas relying on the experience that we gained during the implementation of the May 2012 presidential executive orders and the improvements that we have already achieved.

We – all of us – are working to make sure our country’s economy grows so that the successes of the regions can be felt not just in the regions, but throughout the country, and perhaps even internationally. Together, we are building such a Russia. There is no doubt that we will accomplish this.

Trade in securities of the International Bank for Economic Cooperation in Russia
15 February 2018 06:00


A signed directive has included the International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC) on the list of international financial institutions the securities of which have been accepted for placement and public trading on Russian territory. This will help expand the IBEC’s opportunities in implementing investment projects and enhance the development of the Russian financial market.

Reference

Submitted by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.

The International Bank for Economic Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the IBEC) was established by the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) on October 22, 1963. The IBEC’s authorized charter capital is 400 million euros, including the paid-in capital of 200 million euros. The Russian Federation’s share in the IBEC’s paid-in capital is 51.59 percent. As the biggest shareholder Russia is a priority region for the bank’s transactions.

At its 126th session on December 9, 2015, the IBEC’s Council approved the 2016−2020 Resumption and Development Strategy. According to this strategy, the mission of the bank is to promote the development of the economies, enhance foreign economic and trade contacts between the companies and organisations of its member countries, and also between them and the companies and organisations of other states, facilitate the formation and development of joint ventures and small and medium companies and provide them with financial support. One of the areas of this support is the IBEC’s participation in projects on developing the eastern regions of Asia that are part of the IBEC member states, including Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District.

At present, the IBEC is expanding its loan portfolio, partly by taking part in projects carried out in Russia. In December 2017, the bank endorsed the funding of an infrastructure project on rebuilding an Ufa International Airport passenger terminal. The IBEC is now reviewing applications on the funding of other projects on Russian territory.

The Fitch Ratings international agency has given it an investment level rating that corresponds to the rating of the Russian Federation.

Federal Law on Security Market (No. 39-FZ) of April 22, 1996 did not allow the IBEC to place its securities on Russian territory.

The securities of a number of international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Eurasian Development Bank, the International Investment Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the New Development Bank, and the International Development Association have been included, by the Russian Government decision, on the list of securities accepted for placement and public trading on the Russian stock market.

The signed directive has included the IBEC on the list of international financial institutions the securities of which have been accepted for placement and public trading on Russian territory.

This will help expand the IBEC’s opportunities in implementing investment projects and enhance the development of the Russian financial market.

Έγκαιρη Προειδοποίηση επιχειρήσεων σε κρίση": Πρόσκληση συμμετοχής

	"Έγκαιρη Προειδοποίηση επιχειρήσεων σε κρίση": Πρόσκληση συμμετοχής Πρόσκληση εκδήλωσης ενδιαφέροντος από το Επαγγελματικό Επιμελητήριο Αθηνών (ΕΕΑ) και το ΙΜΕ ΓΣΕΒΕΕ για τη συμμετοχή ενδιαφερομένων επιχειρήσεων που βρίσκονται σε κρίση, στο πρόγραμμα COSME COS - EarlyWarning EU - 2016-4-01. περισσότερα >>
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CANADA latest news

The Prime Minister announces a change in the senior ranks of the Public Service

February 15, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following change in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

Peter Wallace, currently City Manager for the City of Toronto and former Secretary of the Cabinet in the Government of Ontario, becomes Secretary of the Treasury Board, effective April 4, 2018.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to congratulate Yaprak Baltacioğlu, Secretary of the Treasury Board, on the occasion of her upcoming retirement from the Public Service, following an exceptional career marked by dedication and excellence in serving Canadians.

Biographical notes

• Peter Wallace
• Prime Minister announces the appointment of two Senators
  
  February 15, 2018
  Ottawa, Ontario
  
  
  The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General appointed the following independent Senators to fill vacancies in the Senate:
  • Martha Deacon (Ontario)
  • Robert Black (Ontario)
  Ms. Deacon is an outstanding leader who has dedicated her life to education and sport. In addition to a career in education that spanned over 30 years, she served Team Canada as an apprentice coach, team leader, and Chef de Mission for various major international competitions.
  Mr. Black is a distinguished leader in Ontario’s agricultural community, who has spent most of his career championing agricultural and rural causes. He has actively served his community as a public servant and as a member and leader of various local, provincial, and national volunteer organizations.
  Both of these remarkable individuals were chosen using the merit-based process open to all Canadians. This process ensures Senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.

  Quote

  “I am delighted to welcome these accomplished Ontarians to the Senate. I am confident that Parliament will benefit from Ms. Deacon and Mr. Black’s knowledge and experience, and that they will be great ambassadors for their region and communities.”
  — Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

  Quick Facts

  • There have been 32 appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
  • Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, Senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Since 2016, the selection process for Senators has been opened to allow all Canadians to apply. Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides the Prime Minister with recommendations. From the recommended pool of candidates, the Prime Minister selects the individuals he then recommends to the Governor General for appointment to the Senate.
  • The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments is guided by public, transparent, non-partisan and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates.
  • Once appointed by the Governor General and summoned to the Senate, the new Senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and minority interests –important functions in a modern democracy.

  Biographical Notes

  • Robert Black
  • Martha Deacon

  Associated Links

• Frequently Asked Questions – Senate appointments process
• Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
• Minister of Democratic Institutions announces launch of the permanent phase of the Independent Senate Appointments Process
• Minister of Democratic Institutions announces establishment of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
• Government announces immediate Senate reform

Statement by the Prime Minister on National Flag of Canada Day

February 15, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark National Flag of Canada Day:

“Today, I join Canadians across the country and abroad to celebrate the 53rd  anniversary of our national flag.

“On this day 53 years ago, the National Flag of Canada was raised for the first time over Parliament Hill, in communities across the country, and in Canadian diplomatic and consular missions around the world.

“A single red maple leaf has come to represent the values we hold dear as a society – freedom, generosity, openness, and respect – and the promise of an entire country.

“Through their dreams, sacrifices, and hard work, generation after generation of Canadians have given meaning to the Maple Leaf. Over the past week, we have watched some of these Canadians, on slopes and rinks, reach the top of the Olympic podium and hoist our flag high.

“The Maple Leaf is a source of pride, but it also challenges us. While we have come a long way since the Maple Leaf flew for the first time, our work is not finished. Every day, we must make a conscious choice to live up to our values and the spirit of our ideals, and strive closer to a country that empowers every Canadian, no matter their background or where they are from.  

“This year, as National Flag of Canada Day falls during the 2018 Winter Olympics, I invite Canadians to cheer on our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and honour the Maple Leaf that brings us all together.” 

Itinerary for Friday, February 16, 2018

February 15, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

Note: All times local

Itinerary for the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for Friday, February 16, 2018:

Ottawa, Ontario

12 p.m. The Prime Minister and Ms. Grégoire Trudeau will depart for New Delhi, India.

Canada Reception Centre (Hangar 11)
Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Note for media:

• Photo opportunity of departure

Reminder - Itinerary for Thursday, February 15, 2018

February 14, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

Itinerary for the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for Thursday, February 15, 2018:

Mississauga, Ontario

4:45 p.m. The Prime Minister will participate in a prayer service and will tour the Lunar New Year Fair at Fo Guang Shan Temple to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Fo Guang Shen Temple
6525 Millcreek Drive

Notes for media:

• Photo opportunity only
• Media should arrive no later than 4 p.m. and present themselves to the Temple Tea Room

Government of Canada to create Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework

February 14, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

For too long, Indigenous Peoples in Canada have had to prove their rights exist and fight to have them recognized and fully implemented. To truly renew the relationship between Canada and Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Canada must make the recognition and implementation of rights the basis for all relations between Indigenous Peoples and the federal government.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Government of Canada will develop – in full partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples – a Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework.

The contents of the Framework will be determined through national engagement activities led by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. Engagement will continue throughout the spring, with the intention to have the Framework introduced in 2018 and implemented before October 2019.

While the results of this engagement will guide what the final Framework looks like, we believe that, as a starting point, it should include new legislation and policy that will make the recognition and implementation of rights the basis for all relations between Indigenous Peoples and the federal government going forward. The Framework can also include new measures to support the rebuilding of Indigenous nations and governments, and advance Indigenous self-determination, including the inherent right of self-government.

Through this Framework, we will lay the foundation for real and lasting change on issues that matter most to people, including eliminating long-term boil water advisories, improving primary and secondary education on reserve, and taking further steps toward reconciliation.

Quotes

“Reconciliation calls upon us all to confront our past and commit to charting a brighter, more inclusive future. We must acknowledge that centuries of colonial practices have denied the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples. The recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights will chart a new way forward for our Government to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and to undo decades of mistrust, poverty, broken promises, and injustices. We have listened and learned and we will work together to take concrete action to build a better future and a new relationship.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Today we begin the engagement that will finally address Canada’s uncomfortable truth – centuries of colonial practices have denied the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples. As we enter the next 150 years of Canada, we will write our future together in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights is critical to reconciliation. We invite all Canadians to work to better understand the damage done by our colonial past and join us in the journey of reconciliation.”
—The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

“This is a historic moment, one for which Indigenous Peoples have been advocating for generations. Today, our Prime Minister announced that our Government will ensure that the recognition of Indigenous rights, including Indigenous self-determination and the inherent right of self-government, is the foundation of our relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We have heard loud and clear that true reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples requires federal legislation and policies to be changed to reflect the full promise of Section 35 of our Constitution. Through a Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework, we can continue along the path of decolonization, transform relations with Indigenous Peoples, achieve greater equality, address socio-economic gaps, and build a better Canada.”
—The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick Facts

• In 1982, Aboriginal and treaty rights were recognized and affirmed through Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, but the work to define these rights was not undertaken.
• In addition to Indigenous Peoples, provincial and territorial governments will be engaged, as well as individuals from civil society, the business community, and the public at large.
• These engagement activities will also focus on the creation of the two new departments that will replace Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, as well as the mandates of each Minister. The feedback will help the Government of Canada better serve the distinct priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
• This work builds on the Government of Canada’s ongoing reconciliation efforts, including:
• The unqualified endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• A commitment to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action;
• The creation of the Working Group on the Review Laws and Policies Related to Indigenous Peoples;
• The release of the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples; and
• The ongoing work at Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination tables where the government and Indigenous Peoples work in partnership on the priorities identified by Indigenous partners.

• A clear Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework across the federal government will provide clarity and certainty on Canada’s responsibilities toward engaging with Indigenous Peoples in a respectful, cooperative partnership–from coast to coast to coast.
• Many studies, reports, and organizations have recommended in recent decades recognizing Indigenous rights in legislation, including the report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the First Ministers’ Conferences on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples.

Associated Links

• New Ministers to support the renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
• Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples
• Working Group of Ministers on the Review of Laws and Policies Related to Indigenous Peoples

Prime Minister nominates next Information Commissioner

February 14, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the nomination of Caroline Maynard as the next Information Commissioner. 

Caroline Maynard is currently serving as Interim Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Military Grievances External Review Committee. Ms. Maynard’s legal career with the Government of Canada spans 20 years during which time she assumed progressively more senior leadership and decision-making positions.

The Office of the Information Commissioner was established in 1983 under the Access to Information Act, Canada’s freedom of information legislation. The Commissioner encourages and assists federal institutions to make information more easily available to the public to keep the government accountable to Canadians, and provides oversight to ensure that Canada’s freedom of information legislation is respected.

Ms. Maynard was chosen as the nominee for the position of Information Commissioner through the Government’s open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process.Under the Access to Information Act, this nomination must be approved by the House of Commons and the Senate.

Quote

“With her extensive legal background and leadership experience, Caroline Maynard would be an excellent Information Commissioner. She has a deep appreciation of the need for an open and transparent government, and I trust she would do an outstanding job on delivering the mandate of the Office of the Information Commissioner.” 
– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• The Information Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament, appointed under the Access to Information Act for a term of seven years.
• The appointment is made by the Governor in Council after consultation with the leader of every recognized party in the House of Commons and group in the Senate, and after approval by resolution of both Houses of Parliament.

Biographical Notes

• Caroline Maynard