On April 30, 2013, staff at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC raised over $500 for Team Canada at their 2nd annual Cupcakes for the Cure bakesale. For over two decades, the Embassy has been a proud supporter of the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. If you'd like to support Team Canada at this year's race in D.C. on May 11, please visit our team page. Go Team Canada!
On 15 April 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the explosions at the Boston Marathon:
“I was shocked to learn of the explosions that occurred today during the running of the Boston Marathon. It is truly a sad day when an event as inspiring as the Boston Marathon is clouded by such senseless violence.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured or affected by this horrible incident. We stand with our American neighbours in this difficult time.”
Canadians in Boston requiring emergency assistance should contact the Consulate General at (617) 247-5100. Friends and relatives seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the area should contact 1-800-387-3124 or sos@international.gc.ca.”
On April 12, 2013, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Halton, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs welcomed the signing of the Presidential Permit for the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) / New International Trade Crossing (NITC). The permit is required in the United States to allow the construction of the new publicly-owned bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
"Canada and the United States are each other's most important trading partners. The Presidential Permit represents an important step towards a new bridge which will be needed for growing trade and traffic at the busiest Canada-U.S. commercial border crossing with over 8,000 trucks crossing each day," said Minister Raitt. "This project will create thousands of jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border both during the construction period and in the years to come."
The crossing is one of Canada's top infrastructure priorities. In addition to the new six-lane bridge, the project includes state-of-the-art inspection plazas and an interchange with Interstate-75 in Michigan.
"One-quarter of all U.S.-Canada trade, which is the world's largest two-way trading relationship, crosses at Windsor-Detroit," said Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex. "The Detroit River International Crossing will make a vital contribution to our community, the auto industry, Canada's economy and the well-being of both countries."
With the signing of the Presidential Permit, the project can now advance to the next steps including acquisition of properties in the U.S., relocation of utilities, land clearing and more detailed design in preparation of the procurement process to select a successful private sector partner to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the new crossing.
In June 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced the signing of the Crossing Agreement. Under that agreement, Canada will be responsible for constructing, financing and operating the new crossing.
The new crossing is also a key component of the Continental Gateway and trade corridor. It further advances Canada's commitment to a secure and efficient border which improves the flow of people and goods.
No event celebrates the spirit and energy of a summer music festival better than Coachella. The kinetic three-day concert is especially known for giving fans an eclectic mix between big-name headliners and the most important names to watch for the upcoming year in music. True to form, the 2013 line-up will feature some of Canada’s hottest new exports, as well as long-time favourites. If you’re headed to the California desert for the weekends of the 12th or 19th, these sets are must-see. For those staying out of the sun this year, take some time and listen to our wildly talented contingent of Canadians at this year’s festival.
If you haven’t yet heard the frenetic, soulful wailing of Jordan Cook, also known as Reignwolf, 2013 is sure to be the year this Saskatoon native makes the break from indie adulation to mainstream rock stardom. In 2012 Cook stunned audiences at SXSW, Canadian Music Week, Sasquatch Festival, and Spain’s Primavera Sound with his high-energy, improvisational style of blues rock. Using one-handed drum accompaniment for his crunchy guitar licks and tortured vocal growl, the one-man band is absolutely unique and proudly Canadian. You can catch Reignwolf at both Coachella weekends, the 2013 Sasquatch festival in Washington State, and at the Governor’s Ball festival in New York.
2013 Juno Award Nominee and Vancouver native Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, is another breakout star to watch at Coachella this year. Blending musical genres and visual style into an utterly indescribable and bewitchingly ethereal pop fusion, Grimes turned heads with her 2012 release Visions and a highlight performance at SXSW. She is set for another big year in 2013; Coachella will be her first major North American date of the year after a tour across Asia, and she is set to appear alongside Reignwolf again at Sasquatch in May.
Experienced Canadian rock darlings Metric and Stars will also be featured at Coachella 2013. The two bands have a long history as friends; lead singers Amy Millan and Emily Haines first met at the Etobicoke School of the Arts before joining the Toronto-based alt-rock collective Broken Social Scene. Separately, the two have become internationally acclaimed ambassadors of Canadian pop as the front-women of Stars and Metric, respectively. Together for two weekends at Coachella, fans can count on these leading ladies of Canada’s music scene to deliver polished, captivating performances as the desert twilight sets in.
Calgary’s twin sisters Tegan and Sara have similarly won a devoted international following, due in no small part to their chart-topping January 2013 release Heartthrob. Although the pair has enjoyed more than a decade of success with multiple Juno and Grammy nominations under their belts, 2013 promises to be a revival year for the undeniably catchy synth pop duo. They will join the Canadian crew at Coachella before jetting off on a world tour across Australia, the UK, Europe, and back to the US in July and August.
Two relative newcomers will round out Canada’s delegation to the year’s best music festival. The electronic duo Purity Ring, hailing from Edmonton, will play their first ever set at Coachella as part of a tour across the US before heading overseas to the Melt! Festival in Germany, the Latitude Festival in the UK, and Emmabodafestivalen in Sweden later this summer. Vancouver’s rock duo Japandroids are also getting the nod with a slot at Coachella, after their 2012 release Celebration Rock scored recognition among Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2012. Japandroids will be working hard this festival season, with appearances lined up at the Governor’s Ball, Bonnaroo, and Latitude festivals, as well as Optimus Alive in Lisbon and Omas Teich in Germany.
Canada’s musical identity has been shifting in recent years. Traditional standbys like the Tragically Hip and the Barenaked Ladies are yielding for a new generation of dynamic, inventive artists that are making waves not only in Canada but around the world. Coachella organizers have always had a knack for selecting artists that are about to make it big. For Grimes, Reignwolf, Purity Ring and Japandroids, taking the stage at Coachella is a rite of passage. For established talent like Metric, Tegan and Sara, and Stars, it is a tribute to the way that they have shaped modern music. Although names like Daft Punk, Wu Tang Clan, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be the weekend’s big draw, Coachella’s Canadian performances are go-to sets for the savvy concert-goer seeking real breakout talent.
January 21, 2013 – The Embassy of Canada welcomed more than 2000 guests to its now-traditional ‘tailgate’ party in honour of President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. The party and its theme, “Friends, Neighbours, Partners, Allies,” highlighted the unique and close relationship between Canada and the United States. While the event was a celebration of the President’s re-election and second term in office, it had a quintessentially Canadian flair. Party-goers enjoyed Tim Horton’s coffee, Beaver Tails pastries, poutine, Molson beer, Crown Royal cocktails, and an array of other classic Canadian delights. Guests were also given Canadian Olympic Team mittens, which support our athletes, to keep the cold at bay.
Host Ambassador Gary Doer was joined by Foreign Minister John Baird in welcoming Canadians and Americans alike to view the inaugural parade from the best seat in town — 501 Pennsylvania Avenue. Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were on hand in full dress uniform to salute the President and Vice-President as the parade passed the Embassy. Guests were also thrilled by an out-of-this-world video message from Commander Chris Hadfield, the current commander of the International Space Station and the first Canadian to be honoured with the job. Closer to home, the robotic lunar rover cavorted with party attendees. The Canadian technology firm Research in Motion also provided guests with a fun, hands-on demonstration of its new Blackberry 10 and Blackberry Playbook devices, loaded with a special Canada-themed video app.
To browse images of the event taken by Embassy photographer Keegan Bursaw, as well as Scott Henrichsen (scottfoto.com), please click here or view the slideshow:
December 14, 2012: Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Barack Obama, President of the United States, today welcomed the release of the first annual Beyond the Border Action Plan Implementation Report and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Action Plan Progress Report, which demonstrate progress made by Canada and the United States on perimeter security and economic competitiveness.
"Today’s reports demonstrate real and substantive progress on improving the management of our shared border and improving regulatory cooperation, both of which will improve the flow of people and goods between our countries," said the Prime Minister. "The Beyond the Border and the Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plans are laying the foundation for more jobs and growth in Canada and the United States by making it easier for firms in both countries to do business."
The Beyond the Border and RCC Action Plans, announced by both leaders on December 7, 2011, set out ambitious milestones designed to advance economic opportunity, improve regulatory cooperation and enhance security between our two countries. Since then, significant progress has been made, including modernizing our joint border management, the development of the first joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan, the release of a joint Cybersecurity Action Plan, improvements to the NEXUS trusted traveller program, mutual recognition of our air cargo security programs, and the development of joint standards and greater alignment of regulatory systems.
As the action plans continue to be implemented, the Government of Canada will keep Canadians informed of progress, including through the issuing of progress reports.
Both reports are available at www.actionplan.gc.ca/PSEC.
Dear Connect2Canada Friends,
On June 15th, Prime Minister Harper and Governor Snyder agreed to build a publicly owned bridge between Windsor and Detroit, the New International Trade Crossing.
The rationale for this bridge is clear. Over Eight million jobs in the US, including 237,100 jobs in Michigan, depend on trade and investment with Canada. Much of this relies on the Ambassador Bridge, which saw more than $120 billion worth of trade cross over it in 2011. This is fully one quarter of Canada-US trade in goods, making it the most important bridge crossing in the world.
However, the Ambassador Bridge is 83 years old, is too narrow for today's needs and lacks adequate customs plazas. In addition, access to the bridge is located in downtown Windsor, which requires trucks to travel through residential streets and 16 traffic lights to reach the on-ramp. Any plans to expand the current bridge do not therefore solve the larger congestion and delay problems.
With truck traffic conservatively predicted to increase 128% over the next 30 years, it is imperative that a solution is found. The New International Trade Crossing is that solution. It will be six lanes wide, with dedicated lanes for pre-screened cargo, and a direct freeway-to-freeway connection that avoids downtown Windsor and Detroit, thereby reducing delays and the massive costs associated with them.
There have been a number of misleading advertisements about the bridge and its costs -- here are the facts:
This bridge is needed to increase the competitiveness of our manufacturing sectors, create jobs on both sides of the border and ease travel between our two countries. I hope that I can count on your support in seeing this project through.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Doer
Ambassador of Canada
to the United States of America
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the 11th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the second annual National Day of Service:
"September 11, 2001, was a day that shocked the world. More than a decade later, the horrific images from that terrible morning continue to evoke anger and heartache.
"As we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent people – including 24 Canadians – who were killed, and mourn with the countless others who lost loved ones, we also honour the incredible acts of courage and sacrifice of those who responded to the calls for help of those in need. From the police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel who risked or gave their lives to help others, to the small community in Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed thousands of diverted air passengers into their homes, Canadians and Americans alike demonstrated unwavering resolve and compassion in the face of adversity.
"While the grotesque events of 9/11 remind us that we are not impervious to the threat of terrorism and that we must remain vigilant, they also remind us of the power and resilience of the human spirit and of the feats that we can accomplish together.
"This is why our Government last year declared September 11 as a National Day of Service – a day for Canadians to reflect upon the past and to honour all of our country's heroes, including first responders and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who give so much of themselves for their fellow citizens.
"On this occasion, it is my hope that all Canadians will be inspired to once again show their friends, family and neighbours, the same warmth and compassion to which we were witness on this tragic day 11 years ago."
CBC Sports has compiled a full list of Canadian athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, divided by sport and listed alphabetically. You can send your well wishes to your favourite Olympians by clicking on the Twitter handles next to their names. You can also get retweets from our athletes in London by following CBC's Canadian Trail account.
On June 15, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the conclusion of an agreement between Canada and the State of Michigan toward building a new publicly owned bridge crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The agreement establishes the framework for each party's roles and responsibilities for the construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the new international crossing.
'Our Government is taking the measures necessary to facilitate trade and investment between Canada and the United States in order to generate jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity,' said the Prime Minister. 'This new bridge will reduce congestion at this critical Canada-U.S. border crossing, support the creation of new export related jobs and investment opportunities along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, increase the competitiveness of the North American manufacturing sector, and provide thousands of construction jobs in Ontario and Michigan.'
The new Detroit River International Crossing will facilitate the movement of people and goods between Canada and the U.S. by ensuring that there is sufficient border crossing capacity to handle projected growth in cross border trade and traffic in the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor. It will also provide a much-needed crossing alternative at the busiest Canada-U.S. commercial border crossing and create thousands of jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border.
The project includes the bridge, Canadian and U.S. inspection plazas, and an interchange with Interstate-75 with construction expected to take four to five years. The project will be funded by the Government of Canada, with the U.S. plaza being the responsibility of the U.S. government. The private sector is also expected to contribute to the project through a public-private partnership. Ontario and Canada are jointly funding the Windsor Essex Parkway, which will connect Highway 401 to the new bridge.
With the signing of the agreement, Canada and Michigan can now proceed with the next steps of the project, which include further design work and property acquisition on the U.S. side before construction can begin. Under the agreement, Canada will be responsible for constructing, financing and operating the new crossing with likely private sector involvement.
Today's announcement demonstrates that the Government of Canada is working to advance the goals of the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competiveness announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama in December 2011. The new crossing is also a key component of the Continental Gateway and trade corridor.
Celebrate Canada's birthday with the Seventh Annual “Canada Day Across America”! We're featuring an interactive map of Canada Day gatherings throughout the U.S. on our special CDAA site. If you're hosting an event and would like to welcome fellow friends of Canada to join in the festivities, you can submit your event here. You can stay up to date on all things Canada Day on our our site, Facebook page, and Twitter(#canadadayUSA). We're also calling on you to upload a video and share your views with fellow Canadians and friends of Canada across this country. To learn more, visit canadadayacrossamerica.com.
On May 14, 2012 Canada and the United States announced joint consultations with stakeholders on cross-border business; in particular increasing efforts to facilitate business travel between the United States and Canada. These consultations are part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan announced by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper in December 2011 that will speed up legitimate trade and travel and improve security in North America. If you are a Canadian or American business, organization or individual, we encourage you to submit your views on how cross-border business travel could improve. Deadline for submissions is June 15, 2012.
Where to submit comments?
• Citizenship & Immigration Canada
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
More information available at:
• Citizenship & Immigration Canada news release
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security news release
In 2010, more than 13.3 million people—accounting for 47% of Canadians aged 15 and over—did volunteer work. Overall, volunteers devoted almost 2.1 billion hours to their volunteer activities: a volume of work that is equivalent to just under 1.1 million full-time jobs. More.
On April 3, 2012, Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, met with his NAFTA counterparts Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, and Bruno Ferrari, Mexico's Secretary of Economy, in Washington, D.C., to affirm Canada's commitment to enhancing North America's competitiveness by helping the critical small and medium-sized business sector continue to expand and succeed. Today's meeting of the NAFTA Free Trade Commission follows the North American Leaders Summit, where the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico agreed that jobs and growth remain top priorities. News release.
The Woodrow Wilson Center hosted Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday, April 2nd from 4:00 – 5:00pm for a discussion with the President and CEO of the Center, Jane Harman. The webcast is available on the Wilson Center website.
Mark Fabro, President and Chief Security Scientist at Lofty Perch, Inc., a market leading security technology company, joined us to discuss cybersecurity, cyber threats and the role of government in this field. Listen
Washington, DC, December 7, 2011 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced today that Canada and the United States have agreed to implement two action plans designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries. News Release. Beyond the Border.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 states, and more than 8 million U.S. jobs depend on Canada–U.S. trade. Interested in learning more? The State Trade Fact Sheets provide an overview of the trading relationship between Canada and each state. This annual product covers merchandise trade, jobs dependent on trade, other trade-related factoids, the tourism account and bilateral success stories.
Antoni Cimolino, General Director of the Stratford Festival, talks theatre, the upcoming 60th season of the Festival and why Stratford is working in Suchitoto, El Salvador. Listen
"I have to admit that my memory of when I first got interested in hockey is misty. I was born in 1959, and when I was very small my parents followed the Toronto Maple Leafs very closely. I know that more from later stories than from much actual memory of the time. Living in New Brunswick, my mother - and in particular my father - grew up rooting for the Maple Leafs. That was their team..." Full Story
