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CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AT OAS: ANNOUNCES GRANT TO BOOST OAS WORK IN PROMOTING ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter MacKay, addressing an Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council session in Washington today, announced a substantial Canadian government boost to OAS efforts on democracy in the Americas, under a Canadian Agency for International Development (CIDA) Can$1.2 million grant intended “to build on the notable progress made and success achieved in terms of electoral democracy.”

The Canadian grant agreement, signed by Minister MacKay and OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin during a brief ceremony ahead of the Permanent Council meeting, “will enable the OAS to continue to contribute substantially to democratic governance in the hemisphere,” the Canadian minister explained. “Support for the electoral agenda is just one aspect of the pledges to reinforce representative democracy enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

In his address to the Permanent Council of member state ambassadors, MacKay recalled the responsibility entrusted to the OAS Secretary General by the heads of state and government of the Americas with regard to any concerns about challenges to democracy in the region. He described the Inter-American Democratic Charter as marking “a pledge for mutual support when democracy is faltering,” noting “it has served us well over the past years in guiding the actions of the Organization in support of democracy, and in addressing challenges to democracy when they have emerged.”

On energy and development, the theme of the next OAS General Assembly, MacKay expressed Canada’s view that “open, transparent and predictable markets are the most effective means of ensuring energy security and encouraging much-needed investment over the long term.” He called for more effort by the international financial institutions to tackle energy challenges and to promote greater investment in energy infrastructure, alternative energy sources, and increased energy efficiency. The Canadian Foreign Minister called for effective dialogue and stakeholder engagement in the energy sector, noting the need to promote corporate social responsibility and also to take into consideration the impact that the increasing demand for energy is likely to have on environmentally, socially, or culturally sensitive areas.

He touched on the relevance of the proposed hemispheric social charter and the ongoing challenge of promoting equitable and inclusive societies in all of our nations. The charter “should be seen within the context of a balanced hemispheric agenda anchored in the promotion of equitable development, expanded prosperity and the full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” Minister MacKay stated.

MacKay said that as Canada celebrates it 17th anniversary of membership in the OAS, its commitment to the organization, to its principles and to the democratic values it embodies remains strong. “Today, more than ever, Canada’s new government values the critical role that the OAS plays in forging a hemispheric consensus on issues fundamental for the achievement of a better life for all in our hemisphere.”

Acting Permanent Chairman Ambassador Izben Williams of St. Kitts and Nevis, in welcoming the Minister, highlighted the MacKay’s accomplishments as a leader in Canadian foreign affairs and the particular development of relations with the Americas. “We interpret your presence as symbolic of the priority that Canada places on its relations with partner countries of the Americas,” said Ambassador Williams.

Assistant Secretary General Ramdin thanked the government of Canada for its “steadfast and generous support” over the year, acknowledging that “these contributions and those of other member states have allowed the OAS to assist in many areas of critical importance to the countries of the hemisphere and to the people of the Americas.” Ramdin underscored Canada’s demonstrated leadership in such areas as electoral observation, mine action and the engagement with civil society. He went on to praise Canada’s commitment to a strengthened OAS as the principal forum for coordination and cooperation in the Americas.

Reference: E-066/07