YOU’RE INVITED TO
Bob’s New Year Levee!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Huron Park Community Centre, Mississauga
830 Paisley Blvd. West, Ojibway Room (at Mavis & Queensway)
Happy New Year! Bob invites residents of Mississauga-Erindale to gather for an afternoon of family fun and complimentary refreshments. RSVP bob.dechert@parl.gc.ca or (905) 897-1952
January 16, 2012 – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement as he concluded his first official visit to Haiti:
“I was pleased to visit Haiti today and meet with President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Garry Conille. I conveyed to them Canada’s commitment to continuing to support the Haitian people.
“During these meetings, I took the opportunity to underscore Canada’s continued concern with political stability in Haiti. Combatting corruption, support for an independent judiciary and the establishment of a capable and professional police force are key for the long-term development of Haiti.
“These challenges have hampered Haitian development over the past 25 years; the earthquake of two years ago only compounded existing problems. I am pleased to see Haiti’s leaders demonstrating the political will to tackle these challenges. I also made clear to the Haitian leadership that the Canadian government does not support the re-establishment of the Haitian army and will not provide any financial contribution to that end. We fundamentally believe that the basic needs of the Haitian people should take priority.
“I also had the opportunity to visit a police commissariat, a facility that Canada is helping to rebuild. We are proud of the Canadian police officers, Canadian Forces members and corrections officers supporting the development and the professionalization of the Haitian National Police to help improve the safety and security of the Haitian people.
“Finally, I also held good discussions with Canadian companies working in Haiti. Employment is a top priority for the Haitian government, and Canada is committed to working with them and the private sector to facilitate and support investment in Haiti.”
Minister Baird was accompanied by his Parliamentary Secretary, Bob Dechert, as well as New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Hélène Laverdière and Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Dominic LeBlanc.
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the celebration of Christmas by Orthodox Christians:
“Laureen and I and our family would like to extend our warmest wishes to all Orthodox Christians celebrating Christmas.
“It is a time of peace and unity, where friends and family gather together to celebrate their faith by observing rich cultural customs and traditions. It is also a time to reflect on the year gone by and give thanks for all of the blessings we enjoy in Canada.
“Last year, violence and persecution of Eastern Christians – in particular the violence against Iraqi Christians and a terrorist attack on a Coptic Church in Egypt – cast a dark shadow over Christmas celebrations, which should be a time of peace and joy.
“Recognizing that religious pluralism is inextricably linked to democratic development, our Government has committed to creating a special Office of Religious Freedom to monitor and help ensure religious minorities can practice their faith without fear of violence and repression.
“To help commemorate this celebration, the Government of Canada’s Lights Across Canada Program, which illuminates Confederation Boulevard and Parliament Hill, will remain lit until January 7.
“Again, Laureen and I wish you a very merry Christmas, and health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.”
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PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555
This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca
Mississauga, Ontario – Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale applauds Canada’s response to victims of the recent floods in the Philippines.
“I was very concerned to hear about the terrible floods in the Philippines which have resulted in the tragic loss of lives and suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this disaster and their friends and families at this difficult time,” said Dechert.
On January 4, 2012, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada is providing immediate humanitarian assistance, such as food, clean water, shelter and non-food relief items, to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines.
“We commend the local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the Government of the Philippines for their rapid response. Today, Canada is responding to calls for needed supplies and further assistance to help those affected restore their strength and livelihoods,” said Minister Oda.
Recent reports indicate the storm displaced more than 500,000 people in 13 provinces of the country. The Government of the Philippines undertook a major emergency rescue, evacuation and relief response operation in southern Philippines.
Canada’s response, through the Canadian International Development Agency, will support the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Oxfam Canada in the affected area.
The IFRC will provide safe water, food and non-food relief items to 5,000 families currently in emergency evacuation centres. WFP will provide immediate lifesaving food assistance to approximately 220,000 people and targeted distribution of high-energy food to 15,000 children under five. IOM will provide emergency shelter repair kits, which include items such as tarps, lumber and ropes, for as many as 23,550 families and non-food relief items, including essential household items, for 47,000 affected families. Oxfam Canada will improve access to safe water for approximately 8,000 families, as well as set up latrines and shower blocks in evacuation centres and in communities hosting evacuees.
Canada will provide up to $1.25 million to carry out this work. Canada will also continue to monitor the situation closely and will respond to further humanitarian needs as appropriate.
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For more information:
Travel report for the Philippines: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=239000.
Canadian embassy in Manila: (2) 857-9000.
DFAIT’s Emergency Operations Centre: 1-800-387-3124 or sos@international.gc.ca
For further information, media may contact:
Office of Bob Dechert, MP
Office: (905) 897-1952
December 2011
I hope that this season brings you close to family and friends.
On behalf of my wife Ruth, and my staff, I would like to take this opportunity to express our warmest wishes to you for happiness, health and prosperity in 2012.
And please remember, if you choose to drink over the holidays, please have a designated driver.
~ Bob
