Nov 10, 2021 | International
Canadians have many reasons to show gratitude to our Veterans. Whether for the freedoms and peace that we enjoy at home today, or for the peace they helped establish and maintain around the world.
9 November 2021 – Ottawa, ON – Veterans Affairs Canada
Canadians have many reasons to show gratitude to our Veterans. Whether for the freedoms and peace that we enjoy at home today, or for the peace they helped establish and maintain around the world. Recognizing these contributions, many Canadians dedicate time and effort to commemorate Veterans and their service.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to the following Ontario resident in recognition of their contributions in service to Canada’s Veterans:
Brian James Patterson, OStJ – Newmarket, ON
Since its creation in 2001, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation has been awarded each year to deserving Canadians who have improved the care and well-being of our Veterans, or honoured the sacrifices they have made. Close to 1,200 individuals from across provinces and territories have been awarded the Commendation over the past two decades.
“For decades, during and after his own service ended, Brian Patterson has been relentless in his efforts to help other Veterans. Whether organizing donations of cellphones to homeless Veterans or volunteering with programs offering shelter for those experiencing homelessness, in addition to participating in many other initiatives, Brian is truly deserving of this recognition.”
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Oct 20, 2021 | International
Canada is in the spotlight as the Guest of Honour country at the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair
FRANKFURT, Germany, October 19, 2021
All eyes are on Canada as our country takes centre stage at the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair. The fair, which holds its opening ceremony today in Germany, is featuring Canada as the Guest of Honour country. Each year, the world’s largest book fair is held in Frankfurt and offers a featured country the prestigious role of Guest of Honour to showcase its publishing industry and promote the sale of publishing rights for a wide range of books to readers from around the world.
Canada’s Guest of Honour presence, which centres around the theme “Singular Plurality,” includes several highlights that showcase Canadian literary talent, arts, culture and landscapes. The theme captures Canada’s diversity and culture, where each of us is unique but connected by our shared values. A delegation of 58 authors and illustrators have participated in events and activities since 2019, when Canada became Guest of Honour. Eight are attending in person this year: Michael Crummey, Michel Jean, Dany Laferrière, Catherine Mavrikakis, Paul Seesequasis, Vivek Shraya, Kim Thúy and Nancy Vo. The delegation will take part in five in-person author panels. Virtual programming including the authors and illustrators was produced in collaboration with CBC/Radio-Canada especially for the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair on the following topics:
Leading Ladies of Canadian Literature
Mapping Canada
Poetry on the Mainstage
Preserving and Protecting Languages and Culture
The Canadian Audacity of Children’s Literature
A dedicated Canada Pavilion highlighting Canadian publishing industry authors and creators is the cornerstone of Canada’s physical presence at the fair. The pavilion represents Canada’s diverse environments, which influence the passion and creativity of the artists, writers and illustrators at the heart of the country’s rich cultures and literature.
Additionally, for the first time in the history of the Frankfurt Book Fair, a Guest of Honour country will be offering a virtual pavilion for participants who are unable to join the event in person. The virtual pavilion will be available online at CanadaFBM2021.com and will offer visitors experiences that showcase Canadian literature and culture.
The official opening ceremony is hosted by Juergen Boos, Frankfurter Buchmesse President and CEO, and Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, Chair of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels. Canada is represented at the event by Her Excellency Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada. During the event, remarks will also be delivered by Canadian authors, including Margaret Atwood (virtual participation), Joséphine Bacon (virtual participation) and Vivek Shraya. The ceremony also includes a live performance from Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds that will be livestreamed on the Frankfurter Buchmesse website.
The dedicated event “Canada Night at the 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair” will also occur on October 20. Canada will showcase an evening of author talks and cultural performances. With the Governor General in attendance, the event will include performances by singer-songwriter Iskwe, world champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand, Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds, and musician and visual artist Vivek Shraya. The centrepiece of the night features three discussions among some of Canada’s top authors:
Paul Seesequasis and Michel Jean join moderator Ruther Stäblein to discuss “Preserving and Protecting Languages and Cultures – an Indigenous Perspective.”
Catherine Mavrikakis and Michael Crummey join moderator Angela Spizig to discuss “Mapping Canada and Beyond.”
Margaret Atwood (virtually) and Kim Thúy join for a discussion on Canadian literature, women’s literature and their respective paths.
Canada is proud to share its creativity on this world stage and is excited for the new trade opportunities that this exposure will offer to Canadian creators.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in challenging times for creative industries, Canada’s Guest of Honour program will shine a light on Canadian creators in new markets, resulting in more exposure during this important economic recovery phase.
“Canadian authors, illustrators and creators offer a unique voice on the world stage. The diversity of our cultures provides our artistic scene with a strength seen very little elsewhere in the world. The variety of content found in Canada’s programming in Frankfurt is a prime example of the myriad of backgrounds in Canadian art and culture, and I hope it serves as an inspiration to the international audience in attendance at the fair.”
—The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“At the Frankfurt Book Fair and throughout Germany, the singular stories of Canadian authors, illustrators and artists from all disciplines will represent in a vibrant manner Canada’s plurality of voices. Our presence as Guest of Honour will not only result in increased cultural and business ties, but also in a greater knowledge of Canada’s literary and artistic landscapes, for the pleasure of all those who, from Germany and around the world, will seize the opportunity to get to know our works and our artists better.”
—H. E. Stéphane Dion, Ambassador to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe
“Canada FBM2021 is thrilled to finally present Canada’s Guest of Honour Pavilion at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2021, and equally proud to have developed a virtual counterpart to complement it, the first of its kind in the fair’s history. On both platforms, Canada’s official literary delegation of authors and illustrators will be showcased this week—through virtual and interactive content and programming, as well as live performances and discussions on stage. This is a highly accessible and intimate literary experience while highlighting the richness and diversity of Canadian literature, our ‘Singular Plurality’.”
—Caroline Fortin, President of Canada FBM2021
The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest marketplace for trading in publishing rights and licenses. In a typical year, it hosts over 7,500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over 300,000 visitors and 4,000 events. In 2021, the Frankfurt Book Fair resized its physical scope to accommodate approximately 1,800 exhibitors from 74 countries.
Canada’s Guest of Honour role is the result of a collaboration between Canadian Heritage and Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada and Canada FBM2021, which is a consortium created by the Canadian Publishing Industry to plan and coordinate the literary program and participation of Canadian publishers. In total, about 40 federal, provincial and territorial government organizations, as well as private-sector organizations, are partners in this initiative.
Germany is a focus country for Canada’s Creative Export Strategy, with a dedicated position created specifically at the Canadian Embassy in Berlin to help facilitate Canadian creative industries business-to-business relations and help them succeed in this lucrative market.
The 2021 Frankfurt Book Fair is being planned with a strong focus on health and safety measures, and participation is limited to 25,000 visitors per day in a masked and socially distanced venue. The fair organizers have cooperated closely with the health authorities in Frankfurt to develop a robust hygiene plan that reflects current health and safety measures.
Camille Gagné-Raynauld
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
camille.gagne@canada.ca
Oct 6, 2021 | International
Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Members of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery United Kingdom Public Duties Contingent (RCA UK PDC) began their month-long Public Duties in London and Windsor with Changing of the Guard ceremonies held at Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace on October 4, 2021.
From October 4 to 22, the 90 soldiers of the RCA UK PDC will comprise the Queen’s Guard at the four Royal residences in the London District – Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. For the mount and dismount ceremonies, which will occur several times throughout the month-long tasking, the Queen’s Guard will be accompanied by the 36-person Royal Canadian Artillery Band, based in Edmonton.
The Queen’s Guard are soldiers and officers charged in support of the civil authorities with guarding the Sovereign and the official royal residences in the UK.
The RCA UK PDC was invited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to form the Queen’s Guard to honour and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the formation of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RCA) A and B Batteries. The founding of A Battery (in Kingston, Ont.) and B Battery (in Quebec City) of 1 RCHA in 1871 led the way for Canada’s professional Army. It allowed Canada to bear responsibility for its defence and laid the groundwork for political autonomy.
This opportunity to conduct Public Duties perpetuates the tradition of Commonwealth soldiers working closely with the British Armed Forces while demonstrating the professional capabilities of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and the Canadian Armed Forces in an international setting.
Interviews / Additional Imagery / B Roll
Available upon request
Oct 4, 2021 | International
Canada marks the beginning of Canadian Islamic History Month today, recognizing the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and highlighting their extraordinary contributions.
OTTAWA, October 1, 2021
Today marks the beginning of Canadian Islamic History Month. Proclaimed by Parliament in 2007, this month recognizes the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and highlights their extraordinary contributions.
Canadians have an opportunity this month to learn more about the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the many achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, sports, academics, sciences, literature and their communities. It is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. This year has been difficult for Muslim communities across Canada, as we saw the horrific results of racism and hate.
Together, we must combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the country. This month is a time to continue working toward a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone.
Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!
Sep 22, 2021 | International
The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) station in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut completed its fourth season of providing maritime search and rescue services on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
September 22, 2021
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) station in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut completed its fourth season of providing maritime search and rescue services on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
In the North, the IRB program is operated by Indigenous post-secondary students, trained by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Rankin Inlet station opened in June 2018 to improve marine safety in Arctic waters in collaboration with Indigenous communities. This year, the station opened on June 23, and provided essential search and rescue services during the summer boating season.
During operations in Rankin Inlet, crews participated in training, including medical emergency response, seafaring, towing, and developing skills in rough water vessel handling. They also participated in virtual Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit Traditional Knowledge) information sessions led by the Canadian Coast Guard’s Community Engagement Coordinators from various communities across the North. Crews increased their local knowledge by participating in Inuktitut language training sessions and by learning local place names, including islands, inlets, and points of land. These Inuktitut names were added to Coast Guard charts and GPS devices on the vessels.
Throughout this season, the IRB crew carried out four training exercises, responded to three SAR cases, and travelled over 854.3 nautical miles. In Rankin Inlet, the IRB crew is an important part of the emergency response system, and works closely with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Inuit communities, and other northern organizations to increase maritime safety in the Arctic. Continuing to provide services throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the adaptability of the IRB crews ensured Coast Guard continued delivering 24/7 search and rescue services to the Nunavut communities of Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, and Whale Cove.
The Coast Guard employs post-secondary students from coast to coast to coast through the IRB program to provide supplementary maritime search and rescue services during the busy summer boating season.
Marine emergencies can be called into the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-267-7270
Media Relations
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region
204-984-4715
XCA.Media@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
