Canada – Chief of the Defence Staff announces first 2022 Canadian Armed Forces General and Flag Officer senior promotions and appointments

Apr 22, 2022 | International

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, has announced the first Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and Flag Officer senior appointments and promotions for 2022.

April 21, 2022 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, has announced the first Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and Flag Officer senior appointments and promotions for 2022. The CAF’s requirement for General and Flag Officers is driven by the need to lead defence priorities at the institutional level, create and sustain a diverse and inclusive culture, and project leadership abroad.

·       Lieutenant-General J.J.M.J. Paul will be appointed Commander Canadian Army, in Ottawa.

·       Major-General S.R. Kelsey will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, in Naples Italy, replacing Lieutenant-General J.J.M.J. Paul.

·       Major-General E.J. Kenny will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in Ottawa, replacing Lieutenant-General A.D. Meinzinger, who will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.

·       Rear-Admiral A.I. Topshee will be promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral and appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, in Ottawa, replacing Vice-Admiral C.A. Baines, who will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.

The CAF’s promotion-selection process is evolving to select from among the best leaders who demonstrate strength of character and professional excellence.

All promotion candidates completed evidence-based character assessments in order to be considered eligible for promotion. A multi-rater (e.g. 360 degree) assessment was used as a confirmatory tool for candidates under active consideration for promotion. The group of evaluators for the multi-rater assessments were selected from as diverse a group as possible in order to obtain a holistic perspective of the candidate’s leadership behaviours and effectiveness. In addition to a number of due diligence verifications, each promotion candidate also underwent an interview by a third party, external to Department of National Defence and CAF, which focused on personal experiences, self awareness, past challenges, failures, and successes.

More information regarding this promotion selection process can be found here.

Further promotions, appointments, and retirements will be announced once they’ve been confirmed.

Biographies of senior officers may be made available upon request by contacting Media Relations.

Media Relations

Department of National Defence

Phone: 613-904-3333

Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

Canada – Statement from the Chief Plant Health Officer: Amended U.S. Federal Order on Potato Wart in Prince Edward Island

Apr 2, 2022 | International

Statement from the Chief Plant Health Officer: Amended U.S. Federal Order on Potato Wart in Prince Edward Island

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) welcomes the news from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) today, that imports of Prince Edward Island (PEI) potatoes for consumption can now resume to the United States with conditions. Field grown seed potatoes from PEI may not be exported to the U.S. at this time.

CFIA staff worked tirelessly for several months to provide the scientific evidence the U.S. requested and to reassure them that PEI potatoes for consumption are safe for trade. Resolving this issue has been a top priority for CFIA and APHIS, who were both committed to scientific integrity underpinning their technical discussions and risk assessments.

The Agency worked closely with APHIS to discuss and review the updates to the phytosanitary risk mitigation measures in the U.S. Federal Order. The order has now been posted and requires:

Potatoes for export and seed potatoes used to produce them must originate from fields not known to be infested with potato wart or associated with known infestations.
Potatoes must be washed in PEI to remove soil, treated with a sprout inhibitor, and graded to meet the U.S. No 1 standard (equivalent to Canada No 1).
Shipments must be officially inspected and certified as meeting USDA requirements.
All potato shipments must have traceability from the production site, to packing, to export, allowing a full trace-back and recall.
Potatoes must be treated with a sprout inhibitor that is registered with Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency and consignments must be accompanied by a statement on the export documentation detailing the treatment.
Potatoes must be free of soil upon inspection at the port of entry.

The CFIA is now preparing to certify exports to the U.S. as quickly as possible.

Hong Kong – Chief Executive regrets resignation of two UK Non-Permanent Judges of Court of Final Appeal

Mar 30, 2022 | International

Chief Executive regrets resignation of two UK Non-Permanent Judges of Court of Final Appeal

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     The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 30) expressed regret and disappointment at the resignations of Lord Reed of Allermuir and Lord Hodge as Non-Permanent Judges (NPJ) of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government also noted with deep regret that the UK Government has decided to withdraw from the agreement reached in 1997 between the then Chief Justice the Honourable Andrew Li and the then Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom. 

      

     “Since the Reunification, the HKSAR prides itself on the rule of law and the HKSAR Government acts in strict accordance with the law. These virtues are the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s continued success and are enshrined in relevant provisions in the Basic Law, underpinned by an independent judiciary which exercises judicial powers, including that of final adjudication, free from any interference. We appreciate fully the valuable contribution of judges from other common law jurisdictions sitting on the CFA for the past 25 years, including serving UK judges appointed by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR pursuant to the above mentioned agreement,” said Mrs Lam.

      

     “We have no choice but acquiesced in the two eminent judges’ decision to resign from the CFA following the UK Government’s decision to discontinue an agreement that has been respected and has served both the Hong Kong and UK interests well for years, but we must vehemently refute any unfounded allegations that the judges’ resignations have anything to do with the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) or the exercise of freedom of speech and political freedom in Hong Kong,” Mrs Lam added.

      

     Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law; laws must be observed and lawbreakers held to account. No one person or institution is above the law. Article 25 of the Basic Law clearly states that everyone, regardless of their status, professions and political beliefs, shall be equal before the law. The courts of the HKSAR adjudicate in accordance with the laws applicable in the Region as prescribed in Article 18 of the Basic Law. Enacted by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee of the People’s Republic of China and listed in Annex III to the Basic Law under Article 18, the NSL has helped to restore law and order in Hong Kong after a spate of unprecedented riots and safeguarded the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong courts have been adjudicating on NSL cases in the same impartial manner, free from any interference.

      

     “We could not accept any unfounded accusations against the implementation of the NSL in Hong Kong. It is appalling to see that some overseas politicians have deliberately vilified it by applying double standards on matters concerning national security and making baseless allegations against the situation in Hong Kong,” a HKSAR Government spokesman said.

      

     In respect of rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, of the press, of association, etc, and the right to vote and stand for election, these are likewise protected by the Basic Law, and other local legislation, but they also need to be exercised in accordance with the law.



     “The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance stipulates that the exercise of the right to free speech carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, and these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary – (a) for respect of the rights or reputations of others; or (b) for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.”

      

     “We could find no substantiation or evidence to justify sweeping statements accusing the Hong Kong administration of departing from the above fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong that could have led to the judges’ resignations. We would be extremely disturbed if important decisions were made on the basis of perceptions or politicians’ biased assessment, or worse still, undue political pressure,” said the HKSAR Government spokesman.

      

     The HKSAR Government wishes to reiterate its firm commitment to upholding judicial independence in Hong Kong as it has done unwaveringly over the past 25 years. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR will continue to exercise her power to appoint judges, including overseas judges from other common law jurisdictions, on the recommendation of the statutory Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission chaired by the Chief Justice. 

      

     “Our judges manifest the highest professional and judicial quality as well as impartiality through the reasoned judgments they deliver, demonstrating to all objective and fair-minded observers that first, due administration of criminal justice system remains in compliance with human rights protection and principles of the rule of law, and secondly, judges have all along been handling cases strictly in accordance with admissible evidence and applicable laws, observing due process,” said the HKSAR Government spokesman.

Hong Kong – Statement of Chief Justice of Court of Final Appeal

Mar 30, 2022 | International

Statement of Chief Justice of Court of Final Appeal

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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:



     The Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, Mr Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, notes with regret the resignations of Lord Reed of Allermuir and Lord Hodge, respectively the President and Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, as Non-Permanent Judges (NPJs) of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA).



     Under the Basic Law, the power of final adjudication of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is vested in the CFA, which may as required invite judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on the Court. Two serving members of the UK’s highest court have served as NPJs of the CFA since its establishment pursuant to an agreement reached in 1997 by former Chief Justice of the CFA, Mr Andrew Li Kwok-nang, with the then Lord Chancellor. Throughout the years, they have made valuable contributions to the work of the Court for which we in Hong Kong are grateful.



     The Chief Justice reiterates the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong guaranteed under the Basic Law. All judges and judicial officers will continue to abide by the Judicial Oath and administer justice in full accordance with the law, without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit. This commitment is wholly unaffected by the departure of the two judges. 



     There are currently four local NPJs and 10 NPJs (after the resignations of Lord Reed and Lord Hodge) from other common law jurisdictions in the CFA. Lord Reed and Lord Hodge last sat on the Court in the second half of 2021 respectively and neither have been scheduled to sit in 2022.

Canada – Remarks from the Chief Public Health Officer, March 18, 2022

Mar 20, 2022 | International

Speech

Remarks from the Chief Public Health Officer on COVID-19, March 18, 2022

March 18, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. PocketWell, a free companion app to the WTC online portal, provides another way to help Canadians access online mental health and substance use resources, and measure and monitor aspects of their mental well-being.

Following several weeks of declining activity, nationally, average daily case counts are now levelling off, with continued regional variability across the country. As public health measures ease, increased levels of transmission are not unexpected since the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating widely. Severe illness trends are still declining nationally and in most jurisdictions, with the average daily number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals and intensive care units in the past week having declined by 11% and 14% respectively compared to the week prior.

As we expect the SARS-CoV-2 virus to continuously evolve, we are closely monitoring the domestic and international situation and preparing for new variants. The BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant is increasing in Canada but at a slow rate, while other sub-lineages are declining or stable. The growth rate of BA.2 internationally appears to be highest where there is a combination of low booster coverage and where BA.1 has not already driven high infection rates. While evidence suggests BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1, BA.2 does not appear to be associated with more severe illness in vaccinated populations. However, it is still capable of causing severe disease among people without prior immunity, which underscores the importance of getting up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines including a booster if you are eligible.

Over the past two years, Canadians have shown tremendous capacity to adapt to change and uncertainty as the pandemic has evolved. While COVID-19 is here to stay, we are now entering a period with more opportunities for in-person activities, gatherings and travel, some of us may be feeling a greater sense of comfort, while others may feel less at ease.

Many people in Canada may be taking into consideration factors such as COVID-19 vaccination status, the level of COVID-19 activity locally, underlying medical conditions, and risk to personal contacts, to make informed decisions. This includes choosing activities that are best for their individual and family situation and using personal protections. For example, to continue wearing a well-constructed, well-fitting mask as an important added layer of protection, even if not required by local authorities. We know that these proven practices, along with the strong protection afforded by being up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, have reduced the impact and severity of the pandemic.

I encourage Canadians to show each other compassion and respect as we make decisions to protect ourselves, our families and our communities, especially those at highest risk. These times of transition can be challenging and stressful to navigate. If you are having a difficult time, know that you are not alone and help is available. Resources, such as Wellness Together Canada, provide people in Canada of all ages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, including information and practical tools and confidential sessions with social workers, psychologists and other professionals. PocketWell, a free companion app to the Wellness Together Canada online portal, provides another way to access online resources and to measure and monitor aspects of your well-being. Indigenous Peoples can also contact the toll-free Hope for Wellness Help Line.

COVID-19 continues to challenge us and impacts us differently, depending on our circumstances. Let’s continue to do what we can to support one another as we navigate the road ahead.

Read my backgrounder to access COVID-19 Information and Resources, including information on vaccination and ways to reduce your risk of infection and spreading the virus to others.

Contacts
Media Relations


Public Health Agency of Canada


613-957-2983

media@hc-sc.gc.ca