Ambassador Marina Valere, Chair of the Permanent Council,
Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza,
Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin
Distinguished Permanent Representatives and Colleagues,
Distinguished Representatives of the Permanent Observer States
Ladies and gentlemen,


I would like to express my sincere thanks for the warm welcome that you have extended to me today. It is a great privilege for me to represent Canada in the premier political forum of the Americas, the forum where we come together to address issues of the utmost importance to our countries, and our citizens.

As I make my first intervention in the Permanent Council, I would like to assure all of you that you have my full cooperation, as well as that of the Canadian delegation. I look forward to working with all of you to advance our common objectives.

When Canada joined the OAS 16 years ago, we did so because we believed that it was the most effective way for Canada to engage with the Hemisphere as a whole on issues of common concern. It is the only forum that brings together, on an on-going basis, representatives of all of the democratic countries in the Americas. In that sense, our affectionate term for the OAS, “la casa de las Americas”, is entirely appropriate. Whether our perspectives are shared or differ, our countries continue to meet and strive to find consensus on the issues that affect us. This is the unique advantage of the OAS, and one of the reasons that Canada is so committed to working with this institution and our fellow member states to strengthen it, and by so doing, to strengthen our Hemisphere.

It is difficult to encompass in a single speech the myriad important issues addressed by the OAS. But the Secretary General has laid out compellingly the major priorities and challenges before us: the promotion of democracy and human rights; multi-dimensional security; and integral development.

Señora Presidenta,

Hace poco más de un mes tuve el placer de participar en la Sesión Especial del Consejo Permanente sobre la implementación de la Carta Democrática Interamericana. Esa reunión nos dio la oportunidad de reflexionar acerca del camino recorrido hasta el momento y considerar modos de fortalecer la importancia de la Carta y su aplicación en el futuro. La Carta establece estándares a los que debemos aspirar para la realización de la democracia y una gobernabilidad responsable, lo que incluye no sólo el respeto por los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales, sino también transparencia en las actividades del gobierno, probidad y una administración pública responsable. Debemos ahora evaluar cómo hacemos honor a esos estándares, estimando de ese modo la vitalidad - o debilidad - de la democracia en la región.

Los últimos 18 meses han hecho ver la importancia de efectuar elecciones y el papel de liderazgo de la OEA en la labor de observación electoral en el hemisferio. No obstante, las elecciones, aunque son fundamentales para el proceso democrático, no son sino un aspecto de la democracia. Al mismo tiempo, es igualmente importante asegurar que las condiciones prevalecientes en torno de las elecciones, sobre todo antes de que se lleven a cabo, son propicias para procesos electorales libres, justos y transparentes. Una de las prioridades de Canadá es que la Organización tenga un rol mayor en la promoción de la democracia, más allá de las elecciones. Ello incluiría un mayor rol para la OEA en el fortalecimiento democrático, prevención de conflictos y apoyo a los países en crisis política o que estén saliendo de una crisis política.

Madamme la Présidente,

L’OEA a joué un rôle crucial en Haïti, dont nous avons tout lieu d’être fiers en qualité d’États membres. Le soutien de l’OEA au processus électoral haïtien et, tout particulièrement, à l’inscription des électeurs, a été déterminant dans le succès des élections. Toutefois, nous devons éviter les erreurs du passé et veiller à ce que Haïti continue de figurer en tête des priorités régionales. Aussi l’OEA et les États membres doivent-ils continuer à faire preuve de la même détermination et du même dynamisme dont nous avons été témoins récemment. Nous invitons l’OEA à aider le gouvernement haïtien à créer des mécanismes durables, tels qu’un registre national, en mettant à profit les investissements consentis ces 18 derniers mois. À cet égard, je désire souligner la contribution importante apportée par le Canada à la mission spéciale de l’OEA en Haïti, et le très important programme bilatéral de coopération au développement poursuivi par le Canada dans ce pays.

Señora Presidenta,

En el caso de Colombia, la OEA ha tenido, debemos reconocerlo, un papel importante en el apoyo del proceso de paz. Si bien algunos lo consideran arriesgado, la presencia de la OEA en Colombia ha sido un elemento constructivo en la búsqueda de una paz duradera. Por ese motivo Canadá ha respaldado la Misión de la OEA de Apoyo al Proceso de Paz en Colombia; actualmente estamos estudiando qué recursos adicionales podríamos ofrecer a través de nuestro Programa de Paz y Seguridad Mundiales para apoyar a la OEA y al Gobierno de Colombia en sus esfuerzos.

Madam Chair,

Recently, in Guyana, the Organization demonstrated its effectiveness, under the able guidance of Assistant Secretary General Ramdin, in supporting national efforts to ensure fair, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in the lead up to the elections. Now, we must consider possibilities for sustained, post-electoral support for Guyana, building on the success of the elections.

As member states, we should not hesitate to turn to the OAS for this expertise and support, recognizing that for the OAS to be most constructive in this role, it must have the resources and the lead time to ensure it can play a meaningful role, and maximize its effectiveness.

The Organization can also play a valuable role in assisting member states work towards the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes. One example is the support that has been provided through the Fund for Peace, and mechanisms such as the Group of Friends, to support the efforts of Belize and Guatemala to find a lasting solution to their differendum. We must remember that to be most effective, these efforts require the continued support of the member states.

Along with the promotion of democracy and accountable governance, the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a high priority for Canada. In this regard, I very much look forward to contributing to strengthening the functioning of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

I also look forward to continued work on indigenous issues. Canada has a long tradition of actively supporting and advancing the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples at home. The creation in 1999 of the Nunavut territory in Northern Canada, which is governed by its indigenous Inuit majority, is an example of this commitment. We intend to continue working internationally to promote the rights of indigenous peoples, supporting initiatives such as the Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program, which encourages Canadian Aboriginal peoples to form partnerships with other indigenous peoples in the Americas. Canada was also a principal supporter of the 2005 Indigenous Peoples Summit of the Americas, which has fostered hemispheric dialogue and cooperation among the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Canada has been very actively engaged in the promotion and protection of both women's human rights and gender equality in the hemisphere, and we strongly support the role of the Inter-American Commission of Women as the principal forum for generating hemispheric policy to promote gender equality and women's rights. We urge the CIM to maintain an active role, particularly in the follow-up to the Fourth Summit of the Americas. Together, we must continue to strive so that the work of the Organization brings equitable benefits to men and women of the hemisphere.

In the security area, the abundance of threats to our collective security are a pressing concern for us all. These range from terrorism to transnational organized crime, drug trafficking to trafficking in persons, to health and environmental concerns. The multi-dimensional nature of these threats requires a multifaceted response. The OAS system provides us with a wealth of mechanisms and programming options to address these challenges. The 2003 Declaration on Security in the Americas provides the framework to guide our work; bodies like the Committee on Hemispheric Security, the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) are the practical tools that we must use efficiently to combat threats to our security. The eventual Hemispheric Plan of Action against Transnational Organized Crime, the outcomes of the recent Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas, and the formal link between the OAS and the Inter-American Defence Board will also provide us with new opportunities to enhance hemispheric security dialogue and cooperation.

Canada is committed to ensuring that the OAS enhances its focus on, and support to, effective integral development programming. A priority for Canada is ensuring that our support to the OAS will enable it to more effectively channel development cooperation resources, and technical expertise, in accordance with the mandates of the Summits of the Americas process. The ultimate goal is our shared objective and obligation: to reduce poverty and inequity in the Hemisphere and to achieve sustainable results. In this sense, I am particularly encouraged that the Canadian International Development Agency is in the process of finalizing an Inter-American programming framework to focus support on key areas in governance, health, and working with civil society. We will make efforts to strengthen the Organization’s capacity - and that of the other Inter-American institutions - to collaborate more effectively in the planning, execution, and assessment of strong, relevant programs to address the hemisphere's economic, political and social development priorities.

It is in this same spirit of addressing the hemisphere’s priorities that Canada is committed to working with others in the drafting of a Social Charter of the Americas, which we view as an important tool to strengthen the OAS’s work on democracy, integral development and the fight against poverty, and a valuable guide for member states in advancing their own national efforts to address social issues.

While I have outlined some of the specific priorities for Canada at the OAS, I would like now to reflect on the process that brings all of these issues together, at the highest levels: the Summit of the Americas. Canada, as a former Summit host, is committed to the process. We believe that what is needed is a Summit agenda balanced between the objectives of democracy, prosperity, and equity. As the primary political forum of the hemisphere, the OAS plays a key role in ensuring the effectiveness and success of the Summit of the Americas, and in coordinating the actions of Summit partner institutions. It is vitally important to keep the Summit Process on track by making constructive use of the SIRG and the Joint Summit Working Group to advance the Summit agenda and to monitor the implementation of existing commitments. We must strive for coherence in the hemispheric agenda by ensuring that the SIRG process is linked to the agendas of Ministerial Meetings, and closely co-ordinated with the Inter-American institutions. In this sense, I am very pleased to note that from November 13th to 15th, Canada will host the Third Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities, in Montreal. The central themes of this meeting will reflect priorities expressed by our leaders at the fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, concerning: the preservation and protection of national heritage; culture and the enhancement of dignity and identity; culture and the creation of decent jobs to overcome poverty; and culture and the role of indigenous peoples.

Señora Presidenta,

La lista de actividades y cuestiones prioritarias que acabo de mencionar es larga y representa un desafío. No obstante, creo que tenemos razones para ser optimistas. Esta Organización tiene puntos fuertes y ventajas - algunas que le son únicas - que preparan el terreno para un gran éxito. Los conocimientos especializados de la OEA en misiones electorales, su participación en la prevención y resolución de crisis en Estados miembros, su impresionante conjunto de mecanismos para luchar contra la corrupción, el terrorismo y otros problemas, y su Plan Estratégico de Colaboración para el Desarrollo Integral, demuestran la capacidad de la Organización para lograr un cambio positivo en el hemisferio. Eso no quiere decir que debamos volvernos autocomplacientes. Debemos asegurar que la Organización tiene los recursos e instrumentos necesarios para llevar a cabo las tareas que tiene entre manos. Para ello se requiere un liderazgo fuerte y eficaz, centrado en mejorar la eficiencia, la transparencia y la coordinación general de las políticas. Canadá apoya la visión y compromiso del Secretario General Insulza a este respecto. La Organización requiere enfoques innovadores para maximizar sus activos: los recursos humanos tanto como financieros acordes con una ambiciosa agenda. Debemos buscar constantemente modos de hacer que la OEA sea más eficaz y eficiente: promover mayor responsabilidad, transparencia, probidad y responsabilidad presupuestaria; trabajar con la sociedad civil; lograr una consolidación del proceso de reestructuración iniciado por el Secretario General; y un compromiso de los Estados miembros para que eventos como la Asamblea General sean más eficientes. Sobre todo, debemos tener presente que el éxito de la Organización depende directamente de lo que nosotros, los Estados miembros, hagamos para lograrlo. Se requiere la voluntad política de todos sus miembros para que tenga el máximo de eficacia.


Madam Chair,

Canada believes in the Organization of American States as a powerful tool to work for the Hemisphere that we all want - one where democracy, prosperity, and equity are realities. I reiterate my commitment to working with all of the Permanent Representatives, the Secretary General, and the Permanent Observers, to meet these shared objectives.

Thank you.