Politics

PM Announces Investment Treaty with Nigeria

May 1, 2013

Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today announced the conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Nigeria Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). The announcement was made following a bilateral meeting that was part of Mr. Sambo’s visit to Canada from April 30 to May 4, 2013.

Photo credit curtsey of businessnews.com.ng/business/

Photo Curtsey of businessnews.com.ng/business/

“This agreement will facilitate investment flows between Canada and Nigeria, contributing to job creation and economic growth in both countries,” said Prime Minister Harper. “It will provide Canadian companies and investors with the protection and confidence they need to take advantage of the many commercial opportunities in Africa’s most populous nation.”

The Agreement will come into force once both parties complete their respective domestic ratification processes. There are significant Canadian investment opportunities in Nigeria, including in the extractive, information and communications technology, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.

Nigeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2006, annual bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled, reaching $2.3 billion by 2012. In 2011, Canadian direct investment in Nigeria totalled $36 million and is expected to grow as a result of this FIPA.

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A Prayer for Mercy In Time of Trouble

By: Jerome Downey

Positive Impacts of Religious Awareness

After talking to my 76 year old grandmother I was inspired to share a bible verse she recited to me after we discussed the challenging week it has been in the news regarding the loss of life and violence which has transpired. I don’t attend church as regularly as I once did in my youth however as I grow older I have become more aware of the positive impacts religion has played in my life.

Within the African Nova Scotian culture there is a strong connection to the church within the community. The African United Baptist Association (AUBA) was founded in Nova Scotia and has been in existence since 1818. Drawing from this history and understanding of my culture I personally identify with a lot of traditional Southern Black Gospel music, it has an empowering emotional and strong impact on the listener. This is one of my favourite Gospel genre songs these days I hope you enjoy!

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY8dIRbhIug” title=”A%20Prayer%20for%20Mercy%20In%20Time%20of%20Trouble%20″]

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Royal Bank Takes Social Finance Leadership

By: J eromeDowney

Recently the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) suffered a public relations setback with the announcements of the outsourcing of jobs within the banks internal administrative IT division. This type of negative media focus has been prevalent since the 2008 financial crisis for many banks. With record job losses, home foreclosures and the rise of predatory B lending capital there has been no shortage of material for public’s scrutiny. However with that said positive solutions must come out of this financial crisis one way or another. And that is where the concept of social finance as a new financial tool of lending capital has an opportunity to succeed.

A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) logo is seen at a branch in Toronto. (© Mark Blinch / Reuters/Mark Blinch /REUTERS)

Finance As a Tool of Equity and Growth

The financial service sector has always been an engine of economic growth for North America’s economy. The development of different financial instruments, products, services and credit approval criteria has revolutionized how money is exchanged between consumers and merchants. In Canada our finances have become increasingly digitized. We have online banking, secured/unsecured credit cards, and simple debt cards. We have online equity trading platforms and a verity of other tools that enables the economic flow of capital. However there has been little development on the technology of lending criteria. The big question social finance can help us answer is “How do we value the human element of capital”?

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Ottawa City’s First Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Roundtable

Ottawa – The City will be hosting its first ever Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Roundtable on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Predicted to be a day of engaging discussion, response to the event has been extremely positive, with registration filling up within a week of its announcement. The morning will feature presentations by well-known and respected panellists who will provide an update on the state of the issue, with a focus on both policies and programs that are being implemented to address climate change issues. The presentations will be followed by an open mic exchange between panellists and participants. The morning session will be webcast to give all residents an opportunity to share in the discussion.

“Climate change is a significant and well-documented phenomenon,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Working with our residents and both levels of Government, the City of Ottawa will continue the challenging task of reducing the long-term, harmful effect of GHGs on our climate and the environment.”

City Council committed to hosting the Roundtable when the results of its 2004 and 2008 GHG inventory were received. This event supports the City’s commitment to producing a renewed and integrated Climate Change Plan for Ottawa that will build on the important work currently underway with the Official Plan, Transportation and Infrastructure Master Plan updates. These, combined with the reporting of the 2012 GHG inventory, will set the stage for delivery of a comprehensive Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan for Ottawa to be completed in the first half of 2014.

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Quebec Economic Development Support Program

PM announces support for Premier Tech Ltd.

February 28, 2013
Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a repayable financial contribution to Premier Tech Ltd. which will create new products and jobs in the region by supporting the company’s innovation and commercialization efforts. He was accompanied by Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

“The Government of Canada is focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in all regions of the country,” stated the Prime Minister. “This investment will help create and preserve hundreds of science and technology jobs in Rivière-du-Loup while supporting the development and commercialization of innovative new products.”

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French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Coming to Canada

February 24, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will welcome Jean-Marc Ayrault, Prime Minister of the French Republic, to Ottawa on March 13-14, 2013, as part of his official visit to Canada.

“Canada’s relationship with France is rooted in our deep historic, cultural and linguistic ties. Our countries are key commercial partners and cooperate closely on global issues of strategic importance,” said the Prime Minister. “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Ayrault to Ottawa and exploring ways to further deepen the strong Canada-France relationship.”

Photo via www.gala.fr, 15 mai, 12 Jean-Christian Hay

This will be Prime Minister Ayrault’s first official visit to Canada since he took office in May 2012. The visit will provide an opportunity for both leaders to discuss matters of shared interest, including the global economy, trade and investment, progress towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union, and international matters such as the situation in Mali.

The French Prime Minister’s visit to Canada builds on the momentum established during Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s meeting with President François Hollande in Paris in June 2012, and on the margins of the Francophonie Summit in October 2012.

PM announces changes to the Ministry

February 22, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the following changes to the Ministry at a private swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall:

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, will continue the Government’s work to advance dialogue on Aboriginal issues and take achievable steps that will provide better education and economic outcomes for Aboriginal peoples across Canada.

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Government working with Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

PM Harper aannounces support for defibrillators in community hockey arenas

February 21, 2013
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Government of Canada is working with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) to put in place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and related training in community hockey arenas across the country in order to help save lives.

“Our Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles,” said the Prime Minister. “We are proud to work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and its partners to provide defibrillators and trained personnel to use them at community arenas across the country.”

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African Canadian Hero: Nova Scotia

A Black History Month Tribute to My Grandfather Graham Leo. Downey

Transcending The Racial Divide

My grandfather Graham Leo Downey is part of a family that included seven brothers, three sisters and a foster sister. He was born in Halifax in 1939 to George Alexander Downey and Leotra (Tomlinson). He attended Joseph Howe Elementary School, and he considers himself a graduate of the “school of hard knocks”.

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What makes Linkedin so special ?

“We connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”

– Gary Fearnall, Director of Global Marketing Solutions Linkedin.

The image below is a look at the very impressive kit that Linkedin prepared for a special marketing presentation at the Canadian National Arts Center in Ottawa yesterday. I was impressed with not only how professional and informative the event was but also with the quality of interaction and engagement. The Linkedin platform is a mature tool that can help solve many of the current issues and challenges relating to productivity and meaningful relationship building in business.
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