Here’s a new opportunity for Canadians to recognize the exceptional contributions volunteers make in their communities.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, has announced the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards first call for nominations.
Nominations are open
Showing posts with label economics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economics. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
PM Harper announces new agreement on youth mobility with Ukraine
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada and Ukraine have signed a new agreement that will give young people more opportunity to travel and work in each other’s countries.
The announcement was made following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Harper and Victor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine.
“Our two countries have strong ties underpinned by the more than 1.2 million Ukrainian descendants living in Canada today,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Today’s agreement will create exciting work and travel opportunities for our youth, forging new bonds between our countries for generations to come.”
The Memorandum of Understanding, which is expected to come into effect next year, will simplify and facilitate the process for qualified Canadian and Ukrainian citizens, aged 18 to 35, to travel and work in the other country for up to one year. Participants will gain a better understanding of the other country’s languages, culture and society and benefit from professional and personal development.
To date, Canada has entered into 30 other bilateral arrangements on youth mobility through the International Experience Canada initiative.
The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to announce that the next phase of negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine will begin December 13. The first phase of negotiations between Canada and Ukraine on this agreement began in May 2010.
This year marks the 119th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence, which attests to the close ties the two countries enjoy today.
The announcement was made following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Harper and Victor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine.
“Our two countries have strong ties underpinned by the more than 1.2 million Ukrainian descendants living in Canada today,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Today’s agreement will create exciting work and travel opportunities for our youth, forging new bonds between our countries for generations to come.”
The Memorandum of Understanding, which is expected to come into effect next year, will simplify and facilitate the process for qualified Canadian and Ukrainian citizens, aged 18 to 35, to travel and work in the other country for up to one year. Participants will gain a better understanding of the other country’s languages, culture and society and benefit from professional and personal development.
To date, Canada has entered into 30 other bilateral arrangements on youth mobility through the International Experience Canada initiative.
The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to announce that the next phase of negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine will begin December 13. The first phase of negotiations between Canada and Ukraine on this agreement began in May 2010.
This year marks the 119th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence, which attests to the close ties the two countries enjoy today.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Article of interest: Metaphors of betrayal
I would like to share with you a fascinating article by Mykola Ryabchuk, a political commentator who has been on several lecture tours in Canada and the US recently.
It's titled "Metaphors of betrayal." Mykola pretty much explains why east is east and west is west and why never the twain shall meet ... until the West starts to take an interest in the Rest of the world.
The lack of interest in Eastern Europe by North America and western Europe is rooted in the west's self-serving economic system ... and its utter obliviousness to the self-sabotage inherent in its cold and callous narcissism.
Even if the West undertakes no obligations vis-à-vis the Rest, the principles upon which it is built suggest some responsibility, writes Mykola Riabchuk. Ukrainians are particularly wary of the Realpolitik that dominates western dealings with Russia. Whatever one thinks about the "centuries old affinity" between Ukraine and Russia, any policy that downplays the issue of values is fundamentally flawed.
Mirko Petriw did a series of interviews with him on Nash Holos last year when Mykola was in Vancouver. They’re still up on the interviews page if anyone is interested.
It's titled "Metaphors of betrayal." Mykola pretty much explains why east is east and west is west and why never the twain shall meet ... until the West starts to take an interest in the Rest of the world.
The lack of interest in Eastern Europe by North America and western Europe is rooted in the west's self-serving economic system ... and its utter obliviousness to the self-sabotage inherent in its cold and callous narcissism.
Even if the West undertakes no obligations vis-à-vis the Rest, the principles upon which it is built suggest some responsibility, writes Mykola Riabchuk. Ukrainians are particularly wary of the Realpolitik that dominates western dealings with Russia. Whatever one thinks about the "centuries old affinity" between Ukraine and Russia, any policy that downplays the issue of values is fundamentally flawed.
Full article here.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Canada and Ukraine Agree on Priority Areas of Cooperation
Today, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraine’s acting minister for foreign affairs, today signed a document that sets out priority areas of cooperation between the two countries.
“I welcome the signing of this document as a further example of Ukraine’s commitment to democratic reform and a testament to our strong and growing bilateral relationship,” said Minister Cannon. “Canada attaches great importance to its relations with Ukraine, a key European partner. Canada has a significant Ukrainian-Canadian community of over a million people.”
The Canada-Ukraine relationship encompasses political, trade, defence and security relations, as well as technical assistance and people-to-people contacts.
“Canada is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and will continue to partner with Ukraine in that regard,” said Minister Cannon.
“I welcome the signing of this document as a further example of Ukraine’s commitment to democratic reform and a testament to our strong and growing bilateral relationship,” said Minister Cannon. “Canada attaches great importance to its relations with Ukraine, a key European partner. Canada has a significant Ukrainian-Canadian community of over a million people.”
The Canada-Ukraine relationship encompasses political, trade, defence and security relations, as well as technical assistance and people-to-people contacts.
“Canada is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and will continue to partner with Ukraine in that regard,” said Minister Cannon.
Photo: September 24, 2009 – New York. Minister Cannon and Volodymyr Khandogiy, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Acting) of Ukraine, sign a document that sets out priority areas of cooperation between Canada and Ukraine.
New agricultural contracts between Canada and Ukraine signed
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway concluded his visit to Ukraine yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 23) by announcing the signing of contracts between Canada's SNC-Lavalin Group Inc./West Group Engineering joint venture and Ukraine's Ukragroleasing.
“The signing of these important contracts will deepen our partnership with Ukraine in some critical sectors of our economies, such as agricultural equipment and services,” said Minister Day. “These contracts are great examples of the kind of connections we need to make to create new opportunities for our people to succeed in the years ahead.”
The contracts, worth over $640 million, are for the design and engineering of grain-storage facilities and milk-collection systems across Ukraine. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.-West Group Engineering has also reached an agreement with Ukraine's Ministry of Health to build medical clinics across rural Ukraine.
While in Ukraine, Minister Day also oversaw the signing of an agreement valued at $254 million between MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates of Richmond, B.C., and the National Space Agency of Ukraine to build satellite communications systems in advance of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament being co-hosted by Ukraine.
During his visit, Minister Day annouced the launch of talks with Ukraine on a free trade agreement and met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, to address a number of challenges related to the ability of Canadian businesses to invest in the Ukrainian market. Minister Day also met with the General Director of the National Space Agency, Olexandr Zinchenko, to support Canadas strong commercial relationship with Ukraine, which is marked by growing trade and investment, and cooperation in the aerospace sector.
Finally, Minister Day met with Ukraine's Minister of Fuel and Energy, Yurii Prodan, to discuss the feasibility of Canadian CANDU technology for the expansion of Ukraine's nuclear program.
Photo: Minister Day and Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, witness the signing of commercial contracts between Canada’s SNC-Lavalin/West Group Engineering and Ukraine’s UkrAgroLeasing.
“The signing of these important contracts will deepen our partnership with Ukraine in some critical sectors of our economies, such as agricultural equipment and services,” said Minister Day. “These contracts are great examples of the kind of connections we need to make to create new opportunities for our people to succeed in the years ahead.”
The contracts, worth over $640 million, are for the design and engineering of grain-storage facilities and milk-collection systems across Ukraine. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.-West Group Engineering has also reached an agreement with Ukraine's Ministry of Health to build medical clinics across rural Ukraine.
While in Ukraine, Minister Day also oversaw the signing of an agreement valued at $254 million between MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates of Richmond, B.C., and the National Space Agency of Ukraine to build satellite communications systems in advance of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament being co-hosted by Ukraine.
During his visit, Minister Day annouced the launch of talks with Ukraine on a free trade agreement and met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, to address a number of challenges related to the ability of Canadian businesses to invest in the Ukrainian market. Minister Day also met with the General Director of the National Space Agency, Olexandr Zinchenko, to support Canadas strong commercial relationship with Ukraine, which is marked by growing trade and investment, and cooperation in the aerospace sector.
Finally, Minister Day met with Ukraine's Minister of Fuel and Energy, Yurii Prodan, to discuss the feasibility of Canadian CANDU technology for the expansion of Ukraine's nuclear program.
Photo: Minister Day and Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, witness the signing of commercial contracts between Canada’s SNC-Lavalin/West Group Engineering and Ukraine’s UkrAgroLeasing.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Canada discusses free trade agreement with Ukraine
On Sept. 22, 2009, The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced the launch of talks between Canada and Ukraine on a free trade agreement (FTA).
An FTA with Ukraine could further open markets for Canadian exports ranging from agricultural and seafood products to machinery and pharmaceuticals. It could also help to address non-tariff barriers.
Day made the announcement with Ukraine’s Minister of Economics, Bohdan Danylyshyn, right after the negotiations with the Ministry of Economics. Both Canada and Ukraine have agreed to meet in the coming months to discuss a range of trade and investment issues to facilitate economic relations and fight protectionism.
In theory, and in practice if followed faithfully, free trade agreements help to strengthen the economy, create new jobs and lower prices for consumers in all countries involved.
Govt announcement can be found here.
Photo: Minister Day addresses a Canadian, Ukrainian and international business audience in Kyiv.
An FTA with Ukraine could further open markets for Canadian exports ranging from agricultural and seafood products to machinery and pharmaceuticals. It could also help to address non-tariff barriers.
Day made the announcement with Ukraine’s Minister of Economics, Bohdan Danylyshyn, right after the negotiations with the Ministry of Economics. Both Canada and Ukraine have agreed to meet in the coming months to discuss a range of trade and investment issues to facilitate economic relations and fight protectionism.
In theory, and in practice if followed faithfully, free trade agreements help to strengthen the economy, create new jobs and lower prices for consumers in all countries involved.
Govt announcement can be found here.
Photo: Minister Day addresses a Canadian, Ukrainian and international business audience in Kyiv.
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