Canada News Centre2026-03-06T14:03:15-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/news.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/etc/designs/canada/wet-boew/assets/wmms-blk.svghttps://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2026/03/minister-sidhu-concludes-productive-meeting-on-comprehensive-economic-and-trade-agreement-with-european-union-in-toronto.html

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, yesterday advocated for forward-looking trade and economic cooperation during the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee of the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), alongside Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.

Global Affairs Canada2026-03-06T14:03:15-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/11/joint-statement-of-the-international-coalition-for-the-return-of-ukrainian-children-ahead-of-the-uns-world-childrens-day.html

“Ahead of UN World Children’s Day, marked on November 20, we, the representatives of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, emphasize that every child has the inalienable right to live in safety, with their family, and in their homeland.

Global Affairs Canada2025-11-18T09:01:50-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/10/paris-joint-political-declaration-on-achieving-gender-equality-promoting-human-rights-of-all-women-and-girls-and-strengthening-a-feminist-approach-.html

We, the undersigned Ministers and high representatives of governments, including Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay

Global Affairs Canada2025-10-28T16:59:57-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/10/joint-statement-shadow-fleet-task-force.html

On October 8, 2025, Canada and Denmark convened a meeting of the Shadow Fleet Task Force. The following statement was jointly decided by participating members of the G7 and the Nordic-Baltic 8++: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom:

Global Affairs Canada2025-10-10T14:17:27-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/08/foreign-ministers-statement-on-international-ngo-restrictions.html

The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.

Global Affairs Canada2025-08-12T09:19:18-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2025/05/joint-donor-statement-on-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza.html

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as the the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, today issued the following statement:

Global Affairs Canada2025-05-19T13:26:08-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/12/minister-joly-to-travel-to-latvia-and-belgium.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that from December 1 to 4, 2024, she will travel to Riga, Latvia, to attend the second Canada-Baltic “3+1” Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Global Affairs Canada2024-12-01T09:28:06-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/07/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-transparency-law-in-georgia.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern about the declining freedom of media in Georgia.

Global Affairs Canada2024-07-16T10:33:17-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/07/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-evan-gershkovichs-trial.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition note with deep concern the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia.

Global Affairs Canada2024-07-08T10:58:27-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/06/joint-statement-in-support-of-the-international-criminal-court.html

“As States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), we uphold that the Court, its officials and staff shall carry out their professional duties as international civil servants without intimidation. In line with the May 17, 2024, press release of the President of the Assembly of States Parties and the May 3, 2024, statement by the Office of the Prosecutor, we reconfirm our unwavering support for the Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution.

Global Affairs Canada2024-06-15T11:57:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/01/joint-statement-on-dprk-russia-ballistic-missile-transfers.html

The following is a statement from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of (at time of publication) Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America.

Global Affairs Canada2024-01-09T20:14:09-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/09/joint-statement-by-canada-and-the-netherlands-on-the-launch-of-the-global-declaration-on-information-integrity-online.html

Information integrity is essential to help ensure the strength of democratic processes and to protect fundamental rights. The erosion of information integrity, including the propagation of disinformation, weakens the strength of democratic engagement because it hinders open public debate on important issues that affect all of us. Countries are coming together as a concrete step towards the development of international norms for addressing information integrity online that is rooted in democratic values.

Global Affairs Canada2023-09-20T13:11:53-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/07/biographical-notes1.html

Laird Garfield Hindle (BA Hons [Political Studies], University of Manitoba, 1997) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1999. At Headquarters, he has served as deputy director in the Development Policy and Institutions Division, the International Assistance Policy Coordination Division and the Eastern and Southern Africa Division. He has also worked in the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Division. He led the preparation of Canada’s first voluntary national review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Overseas, he has served in Nairobi and Tokyo.

Global Affairs Canada2023-07-18T13:00:05-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2023/07/canada-appoints-its-first-ambassador-to-estonia.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of Laird Hindle as Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia.

Global Affairs Canada2023-07-18T10:55:15-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/12/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-iran.html

We, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) are highly concerned about the recent violent repression of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly by Iran.

Global Affairs Canada2022-12-01T10:00:17-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/11/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-international-day-to-end-impunity-for-crimes-against-journalists.html

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists was established on 2 November 2013, so that the international community could stand together in support of journalists and media workers, and demonstrate its commitment to fighting against impunity for crimes committed against them.

Global Affairs Canada2022-11-02T09:29:44-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/08/announcement-of-new-diplomatic-appointments.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Global Affairs Canada2022-08-04T11:18:12-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/08/biographical-notes.html

Biographical notes

Global Affairs Canada2022-08-04T11:18:05-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/07/joint-statement-on-ukraines-application-against-russia-at-the-international-court-of-justice.html

“We reiterate our support for Ukraine’s application instituting proceedings against the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which seeks to establish that Russia has no lawful basis to take military action in Ukraine on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations of genocide.”

Global Affairs Canada2022-07-13T11:17:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/06/minister-joly-meets-with-baltic-dignitaries.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, this week welcomed to Canada Eva-Maria Liimets, Estonia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Latvia’s Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Global Affairs Canada2022-06-05T20:23:04-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/06/minister-joly-to-participate-in-armchair-discussion-and-joint-media-availability-with-baltic-counterparts.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will participate in an armchair discussion hosted by the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Democracy Forum entitled “Ukraine, War and Peace”. She will be joined by her Baltic counterparts Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Republic of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Latvia’s Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the event, they will discuss democracy under threat from authoritarianism, President Putin’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine and the Canada-Baltic relationship. The discussion will be followed by a joint media availability.

Global Affairs Canada2022-06-01T18:10:44-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/06/minister-joly-to-meet-with-baltic-counterparts-in-quebec-city.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs will meet with her counterparts from the Baltic region, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Latvia’s Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on June 2 in Québec City.

Global Affairs Canada2022-06-02T08:43:07-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/06/minister-joly-to-welcome-baltic-counterparts-to-canada.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will host the visit of Eva-Maria Liimets, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Latvia’s Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from June 1 to 3, 2022.

Global Affairs Canada2022-06-01T13:07:52-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/05/joint-statement-on-ukraines-application-against-russia-at-the-international-court-of-justice.html

Statement on behalf of Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, European Union.

Global Affairs Canada2022-05-30T15:21:20-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/03/minister-joly-meets-with-latvian-deputy-prime-minister-and-minister-of-defence-to-discuss-ongoing-invasion-of-ukraine.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday met with Artis Pabriks, Latvia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, during his visit to Ottawa.

Global Affairs Canada2022-03-25T09:56:02-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/03/statement-on-behalf-of-the-chair-of-the-freedom-online-coalition-a-call-to-action-on-state-sponsored-disinformation-in-ukraine.html

As 2022 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition, Canada leads a coalition of 34 governments united by our belief that the same human rights people enjoy offline must be protected online.

Global Affairs Canada2022-03-31T15:47:53-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/12/minister-joly-concludes-participation-in-nato-foreign-ministerial-and-osce-ministerial-council-meetings.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her trip to Europe, where she participated in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Riga, Latvia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.

Global Affairs Canada2021-12-05T09:49:47-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/11/minister-joly-meets-with-latvias-prime-minister-and-foreign-minister.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday met with Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš, Prime Minister of Latvia, and Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Global Affairs Canada2021-11-30T12:07:15-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/11/minister-joly-to-attend-nato-and-osce-meetings.html

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Riga, Latvia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. This is Minister Joly’s first transatlantic trip as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Global Affairs Canada2021-11-27T09:53:52-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/11/government-of-canada-announces-adjustments-to-canadas-border-measures.html

The Government of Canada will adjust some of Canada’s border measures beginning on Nov. 30 to include additional COVID-19 vaccines accepted for entry to Canada and changes to certain exemptions, testing and ArriveCAN requirements.

Public Health Agency of Canada2022-02-04T10:31:23-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/04/media-freedom-coalition-statement-concerning-media-freedom-in-myanmar.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern with the continued efforts by Myanmar’s military and police to crack down on media freedom.

Global Affairs Canada2021-04-16T13:08:38-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/03/joint-statement-on-the-who-convened-covid-19-origins-study.html

The Governments of Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the World Health Organization (WHO), international experts who have a vital mission, and the global community to understand the origins of this pandemic in order to improve our collective global health security and response.

Global Affairs Canada2021-10-21T13:57:49-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/03/joint-statement-by-19-states-in-support-of-the-establishment-of-the-international-accountability-platform-for-belarus.html

Statement on behalf of Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America

Global Affairs Canada2021-03-24T15:11:45-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/01/minister-ng-discusses-global-trade-and-economic-recovery-in-wto-ministerial-meeting.html

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, participated in a virtual World Trade Organization meeting of fellow ministers. They discussed key priorities to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system in support of an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient global recovery.

Global Affairs Canada2021-01-29T12:15:43-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/01/minister-ng-speaks-with-european-commissioner-for-trade-valdis-dombrovskis.html

This morning, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, regarding the importance of the continued flow of vaccines and medical supplies.

Global Affairs Canada2021-01-28T19:12:47-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/11/media-freedom-coalition-ministerial-communique.html

We, the members of the Media Freedom Coalition, held our first ministerial-level meeting on November 16, 2020, to exchange views and coordinate action in the defence of media freedom worldwide.

Global Affairs Canada2020-12-14T17:10:18-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/11/media-freedom-coalitions-executive-group-statement-on-media-freedom-in-egypt.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition’s Executive Group express concern at the continued restrictions on media freedom in Egypt, including the recent arrest and intimidation of individuals associated with journalist Khaled el-Balshy, editor-in-chief of the news website Darb. In particular, the Coalition is concerned by the arrest of Kamal el-Balshy, brother of Khaled, on September 20, 2020. The Coalition urges authorities to allow journalists in Egypt to practise their profession without fear of arrest or reprisal.

Global Affairs Canada2020-11-13T12:38:58-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/10/minister-champagne-meets-with-belarusian-opposition-leader-and-baltic-group-foreign-ministers-wrapping-up-european-visit.html

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded his mission to Europe today with a stop in Lithuania, where he met with Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to reiterate Canada’s support for the people of Belarus.

Global Affairs Canada2020-10-16T10:22:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/10/media-freedom-coalitions-executive-group-statement-on-miroslava-breach-case-in-mexico.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition’s Executive Group express their concern about continued violent attacks against journalists and freedom of expression in Mexico. We are united in the principle that a free and independent media is essential to a functioning democracy. Investigating these attacks on independent media and bringing the perpetrators to justice are of paramount importance.

Global Affairs Canada2020-10-07T10:10:57-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/09/media-freedom-coalitions-executive-group-statement-concerning-media-freedom-in-belarus.html

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition’s Executive Group express their concern about continued attacks on media freedom surrounding the August 9, 2020, presidential election in Belarus.

Global Affairs Canada2020-09-24T08:50:28-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/09/joint-statement-on-internet-shutdowns-in-belarus.html

We, the signatories, are deeply troubled by and condemn the recently reported and ongoing use of partial and complete Internet shutdowns, as well as targeted content blocking, by the Government of Belarus in the aftermath of the fraudulent 2020 Belarusian presidential elections. Shutdowns and blocking or filtering of services unjustifiably limit the rights of peaceful assembly and freedoms of association and expression, especially when they lack procedural fairness and transparency. In conjunction with restrictive measures and intimidation employed against opposition candidates and the mass arrests and detentions of Belarusian civil society members and journalists, actions to limit access to the Internet, including social media and other digital communication platforms, further erode civic space. We will continue to stand with the people of Belarus, who are making their voices heard in spite of these oppressive measures, and we are especially heartened by the critical and central role women are playing in calling for fairness and accountability.

Global Affairs Canada2020-09-22T15:57:32-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/08/joint-declaration-of-support-for-democratic-transition-in-venezuela.html

We, a group of concerned countries including members of the Lima Group, the International Contact Group, the European Union, the United States, and others, call upon all Venezuelans, of all ideological tendencies and party affiliations, whether civilian or military, to put the interests of Venezuela above politics and engage urgently in support of a process shaped and driven by Venezuelans to establish an inclusive transitional government that will lead the country into free and fair presidential elections, sooner not later.

Global Affairs Canada2021-10-18T12:46:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/statement-on-protecting-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-and-promoting-gender-responsiveness-in-the-covid-19-crisis.html

Humanity is confronted with the unprecedented threat of COVID-19. Around the world, the pandemic is having a devastating impact on health systems, economies and the lives, livelihood and wellbeing of all, particularly older people. Responding effectively to this fast-growing pandemic requires solidarity and cooperation among all governments, scientists, civil society actors and the private sector.

Global Affairs Canada2020-06-03T15:52:57-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/05/statement-by-the-media-freedom-coalition-on-world-press-freedom-day.html

Today, we celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom around the world.

Global Affairs Canada2020-05-03T10:23:44-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/04/minister-champagne-to-participate-in-nato-foreign-ministers-meeting.html

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that he will participate in the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on April 2, 2020. The meeting will be conducted by video conference.

Global Affairs Canada2020-04-01T10:18:47-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/03/readout-minister-of-foreign-affairs-continues-dialogue-with-international-partners-on-respective-situations-and-responses-to-covid-19.html

On today’s call, each had the opportunity to present their respective ongoing response to COVID-19 and discuss the key challenges they are facing, including the repatriation of their citizens and ensuring the ongoing circulation of essential goods and supplies, as well as the integrity of the supply chain.

Global Affairs Canada2020-06-17T10:51:40-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/03/minister-of-foreign-affairs-to-hold-media-teleconference-following-visit-to-latvia-and-ukraine.html

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will hold a media teleconference at the conclusion of his trip to Latvia and Ukraine.

Global Affairs Canada2020-03-05T11:45:59-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/02/minister-champagne-to-visit-latvia-ukraine-and-poland.html

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be in Latvia from March 2 to 3, 2020, before visiting Ukraine from March 4 to 6 and Poland on March 6.

Global Affairs Canada2020-02-27T21:45:16-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2020/02/minister-champagne-concludes-meetings-with-ministerial-counterparts-at-munich-security-conference.html

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, where he emphasized Canada’s continued commitment to the rules-based international order and the multilateral institutions that underpin it.

Global Affairs Canada2020-02-16T14:12:37-05:00