PMO
PRIME
MINISTER HARPER OUTLINES THE GOVERNMENT'S COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS OF THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM
"Our
government's approach to criminal justice is fundamentally different from our
predecessors'. We believe the central purpose of a criminal justice system is
not the welfare of the criminal, but the protection of law-abiding citizens and
their property," said Prime Minister Harper.
"Our
government has no intention of allowing young criminals to avoid punishment and
evade responsibility. Anyone who presents a serious threat to public safety
should be held fully accountable for their actions," said Prime Minister
Harper.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER WELCOMES CHILEAN
PRESIDENT MICHELLE BACHELET
Prime
Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the President of Chile, Michelle
Bachelet, will lead a delegation of government and business representatives on a
working visit to Canada from June 8 to 11, 2008.
PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN THE
SENIOR RANKS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Prime
Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes in the senior
ranks of the Public Service:
Susan Cartwright, currently Foreign
and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Deputy Secretary to the
Cabinet, Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy National Security Advisor to the
Prime Minister, effective June 16, 2008.
Claude Carrière,
currently Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, becomes Foreign and
Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Deputy Secretary to the
Cabinet, Privy Council Office, effective June 16, 2008.
Serge
Dupont, currently Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Sector Policy Branch,
Finance Canada, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources,
effective June 16, 2008.
Don Head, currently Senior Deputy
Commissioner, Correctional Service of Canada, becomes Commissioner of
Corrections, Correctional Service of Canada, effective June 27,
2008.
PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES THE
APPOINTMENT OF A NEW CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF
"Lieutenant-General
Walter J. Natynczyk brings strong leadership and unparalleled experience to his
new position," said Prime Minister Harper. "His service record includes a broad
range of achievement at home and abroad. The Canadian Forces are a vital
institution making a tremendous contribution to our country. Walter Natynczyk is
the ideal person to lead the Canadian Forces
forward."
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER HARPER ON
THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN RICHARD (STEVE) LEARY
"On
behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I extend my deepest
condolences to the family and friends of Captain Richard (Steve) Leary who died
today in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this
difficult time"
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON
CANADIAN FORCES DAY
"On
Sunday, June 1, 2008, people across Canada come together to celebrate the
outstanding men and women of the Canadian Forces. Canadian Forces Day provides
us with a special opportunity to show our gratitude and to recognize the
dedication and professionalism of the Canadian Forces personnel who stand on
guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, defending our freedom and sovereignty.
These brave Canadians are to be commended not only for their exemplary and
selfless service but also for being outstanding representatives of our great
country when they serve abroad."
PRIME MINISTER HARPER ADDRESSES UN
CONFERENCE ON THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
"Over 10
per cent of Canada's land mass, an area greater than the size of France and
Germany put together, and three million hectares of ocean waters have been
protected by federal, provincial and territorial governments," Prime Minister
Harper said, as a collage of spectacular photographs of Canadian parks and
natural landscapes appeared on large screens inside the conference venue. "These
large protected areas include famous national parks like Banff, Fundy, Gros
Morne, and Nahanni, of which our government announced a significant expansion
last summer."
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN
HARPER
"Earlier
this evening, I accepted the resignation of Maxime Bernier as Minister of
Foreign Affairs".
PRIME MINISTER HARPER AND UKRAINE
PRESIDENT VICTOR YUSHCHENKO HAIL STRONG CANADA-UKRAINE
RELATIONS
"I wish
to thank President Yushchenko for his informative and inspiring address and also
for his warm and candid discussion during our meetings," Prime Minister Harper
said. "The President's visit provides the opportunity to renew and strengthen
the deep bonds of friendship between Canada and
Ukraine."
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER HARPER ON
LEBANESE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
"Canada
wishes to congratulate Michel Sleiman on his election as President of Lebanon.
He brings to office tremendous experience and the confidence of the Lebanese
people. Canada supports President Sleiman and the Government of Lebanon in
facing the challenges ahead, which include ensuring stability, security,
economic growth and the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council
resolutions, such as the disarmament of all non-governmental
groups."
PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER TO VISIT
EUROPEAN G-8 PARTNERS
"I am
pleased to be able to meet with leaders of these countries with whom we share
the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and rules of law, as well as a
commitment to greater global security, a stronger world economy and protecting
the environment," said Prime Minister Harper. "I look forward to an exchange of
views on many issues of mutual interest, including how we advance international
climate change efforts at our G8 Summit in Tokayo, Japan, in
July."
STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME
MINISTER
Any
comments Mr. Brodie may have made during the lock-up did not reveal any
information tied to the diplomatic report, of which he was made aware only on
February 28. There is no evidence that Mr. Brodie disclosed any classified
information.
Based on the findings of this investigation, there is no
evidence that Ambassador Wilson revealed any information tied to the diplomatic
report or to any U.S. presidential candidate's position with respect to NAFTA,
though his comments likely helped lead the reporter to the Senator Obama
campaign. There is no evidence that Ambassador Wilson disclosed any classified
information.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER CONGRATULATES
APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATES
The
Prime Minister spoke to over 100 new graduates and congratulated them on earning
their trades certifications. "You've made a great career choice" Prime Minister
Harper said. "In the coming years Canada is going to need hundreds of thousands
of skilled tradesmen and women. Without skilled trades people, you can't build
the factories, plants, schools, housing and other infrastructure we need to keep
our economy growing and our country strong."
PRIME MINISTER HARPER PAYS TRIBUTE TO
THE "FATHER" OF ORGANIZED HOCKEY
"The
evolution of hockey, like any sport, was - and is - an incremental process, and
James Creighton deserves recognition because he formalized the game, bringing it
indoors, establishing fixed teams (originally nine players a side) and helping
create the first written code, from which today's rulebook is descended," said
Prime Minister Harper."
Creighton is credited with organizing the world's
first indoor hockey game at Montreal's famed Victoria Skating Rink on March 3,
1875. He went on to captain a team that played regularly, inspiring others to do
the same, and thus laying foundations for the rapid development and
popularization of organized hockey.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER UNVEILS LABELLING
PLAN TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY CANADIAN FOODS
"Our new
guidelines are designed to redefine Canadian food content labels to better
reflect the true origins of products in today's global marketplace," said Prime
Minister Harper. "Our government is tightening the definitions of these familiar
labels, so Canadians know exactly what they're getting, and get exactly what
they want."
The current food labelling guidelines, unchanged since the
1980s, do not clearly reflect the actual Canadian content in foods sold in
Canada. Under the proposed new guidelines, when a label says "Product of
Canada," both the contents and processing of that food must be Canadian. A
qualified "Made in Canada" label can be applied to products containing imported
ingredients as long as the products are manufactured or processed in
Canada.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER EXPRESSES
CONDOLENCES TO PEOPLE OF CHINA
"Canada
joins with China as it mourns the tens of thousands of lives lost. We wish a
swift recovery to all those who were injured in the earthquake."
PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES TEAM
CANADA ON SILVER MEDAL AT 2008 WORLD HOCKEY
CHAMPIONSHIPS
"Along
with all Canadians, I am proud of the outstanding performance by our men's
hockey team at the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship. This silver medal is
very special because, for the first time ever, the championship was held on
Canadian soil. The passion for the game shown by both Team Canada and the fans
demonstrated once again that hockey truly is Canada's
game."
