Ottawa, Ontario – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, M.P., Q.C., P.C., made the following statement today regarding the vessel ARCA 1.

On January 8, a small tanker, the ARCA 1, ran aground just north of Sydney, Nova Scotia. It was en route to Sydney for repairs and was not carrying any cargo when the incident occurred. The Canadian Coast Guard coordinated the successful rescue operation of the six crew members aboard the vessel.

After an unsuccessful tow attempt and extensive de-ballasting and pumping operations, I’m pleased to report that the vessel was successfully towed to a dock in Sydney today. It was escorted for the duration of the voyage by Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans’ Conservation and Protection vessels. The tanker is now being fully inspected to further assess its structural integrity and to determine the cause of its problems.  

The Canadian Coast Guard is the backbone for one of the safest marine systems in the world. The men and women of the Coast Guard work hard every day, across the country, to ensure the safety of mariners and the marine environment. I had the privilege of visiting the Incident Command Post for the ARCA 1 earlier this week and was honoured to meet some of the team who were working tirelessly to ensure the safe resolution of this situation.

Many partners collaborated with the Canadian Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on this matter, including the Department of National Defence, Transport Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the province of Nova Scotia. To everyone who contributed to this successful emergency and environmental response, I applaud your bravery, skills and limitless dedication.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, M.P., Q.C., P.C.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Source: Release

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have modern and functional facilities in which to work and train. To meet the current operational requirements of the Halifax Army Reserve, the construction of a new armoury at Willow Park was announced today by Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan. The new Willow Park Armoury represents an investment of $66 million, and construction is expected to be completed by the fall of 2018.

The new armoury will support the important work being done by 36 Service Battalion, 36 Signal Regiment, and 33 Field Ambulance by bringing them together into one facility. The armoury’s design will improve the units’ ability to train, work, and deploy on exercises and operations by providing well-configured administration and training facilities, an outdoor compound for their respective military vehicle fleets, and facilities for storing and maintaining other equipment.

MP Fillmore also announced three other infrastructure investments of $21 million in the Halifax area today: the next phase of the rehabilitation of the North Park Armoury in Halifax, upgrades to various naval jetties at the Halifax Dockyard, as well as pavement work at the Department of National Defence’s Shearwater airfield.

Quotes

“As a former reservist myself, I know that a well-trained and well-supported Reserve Force is key to our ability to meet current and future security and defence needs at home and abroad. The new Willow Park Armoury will ensure local Army Reserve units have the facilities they need to work and train, now and well into the future.”

Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

“In addition to supporting the military women and men working in our community who make us so proud, this investment will bring meaningful jobs to the local economy, and sustain economic growth in our province for years to come.”

Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax

Quick Facts

• 36 Service Battalion provides logistics support, including Combat Service Support, to sustain the 36 Canadian Brigade Group and the CAF’s domestic and international operations.

• 36 Signal Regiment trains combat capable signalers who enable command and control of CAF units deployed in domestic and expeditionary operations. The Regiment also supports other 36 Canadian Brigade Group units during training exercises.

• 33 Field Ambulance trains personnel to provide healthcare services support to the 36 Canadian Brigade Group and the CAF, domestically and internationally.

• Following the construction of the new armoury, three existing buildings at Willow Park that currently house 36 Service Battalion will be demolished as part of this project. This will complement DND’s extensive redevelopment of the Willow Park site in recent years.

• Other investments in the area include:

  • Rehabilitation of the North Park Armoury will begin in the coming months, and will ensure this National Historic Site and classified Heritage Building continues to support the Army Reserve in Halifax. It will house The Princess Louise Fusiliers and The Halifax Rifles (Royal Canadian Armoured Corps), as well as two army cadet corps. The upcoming phase of the project will involve reconstruction of the west wall.

  • Repairs and upgrades to various jetties at the Halifax Dockyard will include replacement of lighting infrastructure and electrical transformers, as well as repairs to jetty structural elements.

  • Work at the Shearwater airfield will include pavement upgrades, repair and replacement of existing lighting on the ramps and approaches to the airfield, as well as restoration of security and task lighting.

  • These three projects represent an investment of over $21 million, and are part of the $200 million announced in Budget 2016 for investments in infrastructure at CAF bases and other defence properties across Canada.

Source: Release

Twenty-seven Atlantic Canadian companies attend Seafood Expo North America

March 4, 2016 – Moncton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

It is no secret that the United States of America is a crucial market for Atlantic Canada’s seafood exporters. Last year, the U.S. imported more than $2.78 billion in seafood products from Atlantic Canada, an increase of $594 million over the previous year. That is why a delegation of 27 Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations will once again be participating in this year’s Seafood Expo North America (SENA) - the largest seafood expo on the continent – which will be held March 6^th to 8^th in Boston, Massachusetts.

A federal-provincial investment of more than $134,000, which is being provided through the International Business Development Agreement (IBDA), will enable the participating companies to create a significant and coordinated onsite presence through the Atlantic pavilion, as well as provide them with access to business meeting rooms and advertising.

Quick Facts

• While at SENA, Atlantic Canadian companies will showcase the region’s wide variety of seafood products to over 20,000 buyers representing importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and retail and foodservice companies from more than 100 countries.
• In 2015, Atlantic Canada's worldwide fish and seafood exports were valued at $4.4 billion.
• Atlantic Canada exports its seafood products to over 100 countries around the world. The United States of America is Atlantic Canada's largest export market representing roughly 63% of seafood trade.

Quotes

“Atlantic Canada is recognized internationally for its wide variety of high-quality seafood products. Nearly 50,000 jobs are supported by Atlantic Canada’s seafood sector – an economic foundation for many rural and coastal communities across the region. The Government of Canada is committed to working closely with all levels of government, including our provincial partners, to promote Atlantic Canadian seafood with a goal to increasing exports that help create and sustain thousands of jobs and foster economic growth across the region.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Sciences and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

“New Brunswick’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors are vital economic drivers, creating thousands of important jobs for our rural, coastal communities.Our support of New Brunswick’s globally-competitive seafood companies at SENA 2016 is one way we are working to add value to our province’s seafood industry, as they work to expand their markets beyond our shores.”

-       The Honourable Rick Doucet, Minister of  Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries,  Province of New Brunswick

 “As Canada’s largest exporter of fish and seafood in 2015, our province recognizes how important trade missions to key markets such as this one in Boston are to our seafood industry.This event is an international stage to promote our industry and province, and to help our Nova Scotia economy grow, expand distribution and identify new market opportunities.”

-     The Honourable Keith Colwell, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Nova Scotia

“Being part of the Boston seafood show for more than 20 years is one of the initiatives that has helped Prince Edward Island reach $268 million in international seafood exports – which is nearly double our total from five years ago. We are proud to join with the other Atlantic provinces in exploring every opportunity to grow our seafood industry.”

-       The Honourable Alan McIsaac, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Prince Edward Island

“The seafood industry is a key economic driver in Newfoundland and Labrador's economy, particularly for our rural communities. Showcasing our province’s products at Seafood Expo North America helps strengthen our worldwide reputation for high quality seafood. Participation in the expo builds upon existing relationships, and helps create new ones, as we continue to seek opportunities for our vibrant seafood industry.”

-     The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Associated Links

Companies participating in the Atlantic Canada Pavillion at Seafood Expo North America 2016

National

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Prince Edward Island

Contacts

Natalie Belliveau
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2085
natalie.belliveau@canada.ca

Vicky Deschênes
Communications (Acting)
Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Government of New Brunswick
506-453-4066
vicky.deschenes@gnb.ca   

Krista Higdon
Communications
Government of Nova Scotia
902-424-6454
krista.higdon@novascotia.ca

Brad Chatfield
Communications
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-368-5501
bpchatfield@gov.pe.ca 

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3733 / 709-697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada strongly condemns yesterday’s long-range missile launch by North Korea using sanctioned ballistic missile technology. This launch, like North Korea’s prohibited January 6, 2016, nuclear test, constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security and to stability on the Korean Peninsula.

“Any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology directly violates successive United Nations Security Council Resolutions. North Korea’s actions show a blatant disregard for its international obligations, and Canada calls on North Korea to cease these disruptive and provocative actions and to return to compliance with its international obligations.

“We will continue to work closely with international and regional partners to respond appropriately to North Korea’s actions, in an effort to curb this unwarranted, irresponsible and dangerous behaviour.

“Canada strongly supports efforts underway in the UN Security Council to agree to significant measures to hold North Korea accountable for its actions.”

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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Each year in February Canadians mark Black History Month, giving us the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of black Canadians from our country’s earliest days through to today.

This year is particularly poignant as it marks the 20^th anniversary of the celebration of Black History Month. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.

Since then, Canadians across the country have organized and taken part in countless events to recognize the many contributions of Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. We see the contributions in all parts of Canadian life, including business, politics, community service, sports, and the arts.  

In recognition of Black History Month we celebrate the accomplishments of Canadians throughout history. This includes Canada’s new Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke, for his tireless efforts to promote the history of black Loyalists and abolitionists, and Richard Preston, a notable figure in Nova Scotia’s black history, whose arrival in Canada took place 200 years ago this year.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I encourage all Canadians to participate in the many celebrations that will take place across the country throughout February. I am honoured to be participating in the official launch of Black History Month on February 3 in Ottawa.

Canadians can explore the history and many stories on the Government of Canada’s Black History Month website, at http://www.Canada.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.

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Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788