Prime Minister
Foreign Investment Announcement

December 7th, 2012 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered the following remarks on foreign investment: 

“Hi everyone. 

“Today the Minister of Industry rendered decisions respecting two foreign investment proposals. 

“These decisions will be closely studied. 

“It is therefore important that Canadians, and also foreign investors, understand how the government will approach such decisions in the future. 

“In particular, Canadians generally, and investors specifically, should understand that these decisions are not the beginning of a trend, but rather the end of a trend. 

“Investment is critical to our Government’s focus on jobs and growth. 

“And, Canadians expect that we shall approve foreign investments that are of net benefit to Canada. 

“But, all investments are not equal. 

“In particular, as we have indicated for many years, purchases of Canadian assets by foreign governments through state-owned enterprises are not the same as other transactions. 

“The larger purposes of state-owned enterprises may go well beyond the commercial objectives of privately owned companies. 

“This raises the question of when, and to what degree, foreign state control of Canadian business can be of net benefit to Canada. 

“To be blunt, Canadians have not spent years reducing the ownership of sectors of the economy by our own governments, only to see them bought and controlled by foreign governments instead. 

“That was never the purpose of the Investment Canada Act. 

“It is not an outcome that Canadians would ever support. 

“It is not an outcome any responsible Government of Canada could ever allow to happen. 

“We certainly will not. 

“Fairness therefore, and Canada’s national interest, require that we be clear how Canadian law applies to future proposals by foreign government enterprises to acquire Canadian businesses. 

“The law requires that the government consider each case on its own merits according to broad criteria. 

“This, of course, will continue. 

“In light of growing trends, and following the decisions made today, the Government of Canada has determined that foreign state control of oil sands development has reached the point at which further such foreign state control would not be of net benefit to Canada. 

“Therefore, going forward, the Minister will find the acquisition of control of a Canadian oil-sands business by a foreign state-owned enterprise to be of net benefit, only in an exceptional circumstance. 

“Outside the oilsands, our Government will strengthen scrutiny under the Act of proposals by foreign state-owned enterprises to acquire Canadian businesses. 

“Some of the considerations that would be factored into a review of such acquisition proposals include: 

“First, the degree of control or influence a state-owned enterprise would likely exert on the Canadian business that is being acquired. 

“Second, the degree of control or influence that a state-owned enterprise would likely exert on the industry in which the Canadian business operates. 

“Third, and most importantly, the extent to which the foreign government in question is likely to exercise control or influence over the state-owned enterprise acquiring the Canadian business. 

“The onus to show these investments are of net benefit to Canada rests with the investor. 

“Let me be clear. 

“When we say that Canada is open for business, we do not mean that Canada is for sale to foreign governments. 

“Our Government will therefore proceed as follows. 

“Consistent with the distinction that we make between state and privately-run enterprises, our Government will, over four years, move forward with our commitment to raise the review threshold under the Investment Canada Act, to one billion dollars for private sector applications only. 

“The threshold for foreign state-owned enterprises will remain at three hundred and thirty million dollars in asset value. 

“Let me just make these two additional points. 

“First, as I said earlier, the Government continues to strongly encourage inward investment in Canada. 

“For this reason, our Government has accepted the great majority of investment proposals. 

“We will continue to accept those that meet the tests applied under our legislation. 

“Secondly, we will maintain an open, market-based approach to foreign investment in Canada. 

“Canada has decided to have a free market economy. 

“That is our choice, and today’s policy statement reinforces that choice. 

“We will continue to push firmly in trade and investment agreements for reciprocal treatment abroad for Canadian investors. 

“Our statements today will not satisfy everybody. 

“Some believe you are either ‘for’ foreign investment under all circumstances, or that you must be ‘against’ foreign investment under any circumstances. 

“Practical government rarely permits such simplicity. 

“Foreign investment is not an end in itself. 

“It is the means to an end. 

“And that end is the long-term prosperity of Canada and Canadians. 

“Thank you.”
 
Chanukah

December 8, 2012 -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the first day of Chanukah:

"I would like to send my warmest greetings to the Jewish community in Canada and around the world for a happy and peaceful Chanukah.

"The story of Chanukah reminds us that hope and faith can overcome any challenge and provide light in times of darkness. The nightly lighting of the menorah during Chanukah commemorates the liberation of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple over 2,000 years ago, and the miracle of the oil lamp which lasted for eight full days in the reclaimed Temple, when it was only meant to last for one.

"Chanukah also reminds us that, as Canadians, we are blessed to live in a safe and peaceful society, one which has been enriched by the countless contributions and achievements of the Jewish-Canadian community.

"During these challenging times, we reaffirm our commitment to stand by the Jewish people and we pray for peace during the holiday season and in the year ahead.

"Laureen and I look forward to joining the Jewish community in celebrating Chanukah Monday evening at our home in Ottawa."
 
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6, 2012 -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

"On the evening of December 6, 1989, the country stood in horror as a gunman entered l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and ended the lives of fourteen young, bright, promising women simply because they were women.

"Around the world, violence against women and girls is a sad daily reality. Our Government strongly believes in protecting the most vulnerable in society and continues to take a stand in combatting violence against women, at home and abroad, to help put an end to tragedies such as that of the Montreal Massacre.

"In Canada, we are investing in projects aimed at ending violence against women and girls in communities across the country, and we are placing victims' rights ahead of those of criminals by making our laws stronger. On the international stage, our Government is committed to playing a leadership role in the campaign to prevent sexual violence against women and girls in conflict areas.

"Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, let us join the families and friends of those lost in the Montreal Massacre and honour their memory by redoubling efforts to eradicate all violence against women and girls."
 
2013: Year of Korea in Canada

December 4, 2012 -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that 2013 has been designated as the Year of Korea in Canada, which aims to highlight Korea's culture, traditions and diversity, and celebrate the contributions of the Korean community to Canadian society. The Prime Minister was joined by Kim Hwang-sik, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.

"Canada and Korea enjoy excellent relations based on 50 years of diplomatic engagement, close personal ties and an important commercial relationship," said the Prime Minister. "It is a privilege to launch the Year of Korea in Canada which will showcase Korea's remarkable culture and traditions and highlight the vibrant relationship our two countries enjoy."

The Year of Korea in Canada will feature a number of cultural and artistic events across the country. Events in Korea will also be organized to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, including Canada's contributions to help defend the country's freedom.

Canada and Korea's strong relationship is underpinned by a rapidly growing trade relations that reached nearly $11.7 billion in 2011, close cooperation in international fora on democratic and human rights issues, and strong people-to-people ties, including through immigration, educational programs and tourism. 

The Year of Korea in Canada 2013 -  Background

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing bilateral relations with South Korea, in addition to promoting cultural diversity in Canada. To this end, on December 4, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that 2013 would be designated as the Year of Korea in Canada, which aims to highlight Korea's culture, traditions and diversity, and to celebrate the contributions of the Korean Diaspora to Canadian society.

Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada, the Year of Korea in Canada will feature a number of cultural and artistic events across the country and will give Canadians the opportunity to learn more about the Korean culture.

Canada-South Korea relations

2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea, as well as the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The friendly bilateral relationship between the two countries continues to grow as South Korea becomes an increasingly important economic partner and as both countries continue to collaborate in multilateral fora.

Our relations are also further enhanced by a series of high level visits. Prime Minister Harper has travelled to South Korea three times since 2006, including for an official visit in December 2009, the G-20 Summit in Seoul in November 2010, and the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012.

Canada and South Korea support trade liberalization - including strengthening the multilateral trading system - and work together in a number of economic organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the G-20. Both countries also share similar views on many multilateral and global issues, including UN Security Council reform, human rights and non-proliferation and disarmament.

Canada and South Korea also have strong people-to-people ties stemming from increasing immigration and tourism flows, academic exchanges and historical connections. People-to-people exchanges have increased with over 250,000 people travelling between Canada and Korea every year. As of December 2011, there were more than 20,000 Korean students studying in Canada, making Korea Canada's third largest source of international students after China and India.

There are currently 119 active agreements between institutions in Canada and in South Korea, facilitating the exchange of students, faculty, staff and curricula, joint research and joint degree program. There are also two elementary/secondary schools in South Korea licensed to teach curriculums from Canada's provinces: BIS Canada (British Columbia curriculum) and the Canada Maple International School (Manitoba curriculum). Students in these schools are significantly more likely to choose Canada as their destination for Post-Secondary studies. South Korea is home to a modest-sized but reasonably active Canadian Studies community, including a number of university-based centres and the Korean Association for Canadian Studies.

Trade and Investment

The Canadian government has identified South Korea as one of 13 priority markets under the Global Commerce Strategy. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has identified the following sectors as holding significant potential for Canadian companies: 1) agriculture, food and beverages; 2) building products and construction; 3) mining and minerals; 4) education; and, 5) information and communication technologies.

South Korea is Canada's seventh largest merchandise trading partner and its third largest in Asia, after China and Japan. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and South Korea is robust, reaching nearly $11.7 billion in 2011. Canadian merchandise exports to South Korea were valued at almost $5.1 billion in 2011, consisting mainly of mineral fuels and oils, cereals, wood pulp, mineral ores, and meat. That same year, Canadian merchandise imports from South Korea were valued at $6.6 billion and included vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, mineral fuels and oils, and rubber.

Two-way stock of cumulative direct investment totalled $6.4 billion at the end of 2011, with foreign direct investment in Canada from South Korea reaching nearly $6.1 billion and Canadian direct investment in South Korea valued at $365 million. Canadian companies, such as Magna, Camoplast, Norsat, Woodbridge, Scotiabank and TD, are well represented in South Korea. Bombardier Transportation is another major Canadian company active in South Korea, having taken an ownership stake in a light rail line in suburban Seoul.
 
Holodomor Commemoration

November 21, 2012 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement commemorating the 79th anniversary of the Holodomor taking place this Saturday: 

“I invite all Canadians to pause this Saturday and honour the millions of men, women and children - mostly Ukrainian, but also some Kazakhs and Russians - who perished during the 1932-1933 famine-genocide perpetrated by the barbaric communist regime of Josef Stalin. 

 “By sending political leaders, clergy and academics to gulags, and cruelly depriving innocent families of the crops and livestock necessary to live, the Soviets sought to extinguish Ukrainian nationalism. 

“But the spirit of the Ukrainian people could not be vanquished.  Its sons and daughters persevered through those and other dark times to rebuild and ultimately cast off Soviet shackles, fighting for the values we cherish today: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

“We are very proud to have more than one million people of Ukrainian descent in our country, many of whom lost loved ones in this atrocious act of malevolence, the Holodomor.  Our Government recognizes their loss.  In 2008, Canada became the first country to recognize this stain on humanity as an act of genocide, and was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence.  Two years ago, I had the honour of paying my respects to victims at the Holodomor Memorial and Museum in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

“This weekend, I encourage Canadians to join Ukrainian Canadians at Holodomor ceremonies across the country commemorating those who perished during this sad chapter in their history. 

“Vichnaya Pamyat (in everlasting remembrance).”
 
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