NEWS RELEASES

November 2, 2006 (6:00 p.m. EST)
No. 126

CANADA CONTRIBUTES $1 MILLION TO UN REFUGEE AGENCY

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, welcomed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, on an official visit to Canada from November 1 to 4, 2006. During the visit, Canada’s New Government announced that it will be contributing $1 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist with the implementation of the Mexico Plan of Action, which proposes concrete actions for the regional resettlement of refugees.

“The UNHCR is a key partner with Canada in responding to global humanitarian crises,” said Minister MacKay. “Canada is a committed advocate for the protection of more than 20 million refugees and other persons forcibly displaced by conflicts worldwide, and we will continue to support effective international efforts to meet their needs.”

“Working with the UNHCR, Canada is helping to address the most basic needs of these children, women and men by ensuring that they have access to the necessities of life, such as shelter, health care, sanitation facilities, education, physical safety and protection,” said the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages. “This year, through the Canadian International Development Agency, Canada has provided over $30 million to support this vital work.”

Canada’s contribution to the UNHCR supports lasting solutions for refugees, whether by helping them to return to their home countries, to integrate locally into the country of first asylum or to resettle elsewhere.

“Canadians have a long and proud tradition of coming to the aid of refugees. The resettlement of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Canada is a testament to this commitment,” said the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “The $1 million contribution of Canada’s New Government to the UNHCR and the Mexico Plan of Action will go far to help refugees receive the care and protection they need.”

During his visit, the High Commissioner met with Minister MacKay, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, Minister Solberg and Minister Verner. He also appeared before a joint session of the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Development and on Citizenship and Immigration.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
819-953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
http://www.cida.gc.ca

Marina Wilson
Media Relations Spokesperson
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
http://www.cic.gc.ca

Backgrounder

A former Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr. António Guterres was elected the UNCHR’s 10th High Commissioner for Refugees by the UN General Assembly for a five-year term in June 2005. Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service, founding the Portuguese Refugee Council in 1991 and spearheading international efforts to stop the atrocities in Timor-Leste. As president of the European Council in early 2000 he led the adoption of the “Lisbon Agenda” and chaired the first European Union-Africa summit. This is Mr. Guterres’ first official visit to Canada since becoming High Commissioner for Refugees.

Canada’s latest contribution of $1 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Mexico Plan of Action will help ensure that refugees receive the care and protection they need. Through its support for the Mexico Plan of Action, Canada will help interested Latin American countries establish and build refugee resettlement capacity. In line with global commitments to find more solutions for refugees, the Mexico Plan of Action pledged to create a regional Solidarity Resettlement initiative that would enhance the provision of durable solutions for refugees. By helping finance capacity-building initiatives, Canada will support regional burden sharing by helping nations resettle displaced Colombians in neighbouring countries.

The UNHCR’s main goal is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, consistent with its responsibilities under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Additional Protocol (to which 143 states are parties), the pillar of the contemporary international refugee regime. Today, the UNHCR leads and coordinates the provision of protection and assistance to some 8.4 million refugees and another 12.4 million “persons of concern” (including refugee returnees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and stateless persons) and promotes durable solutions to their plight.

Canada actively supports the work of the UNHCR through diplomatic advocacy, financial contributions to its programs and support for the resettlement of thousands of refugees to Canada every year. Canada is an active participant in the UNHCR’s governance structures and actively contributes to shaping UNHCR policies and programming. Key Canadian policy priorities include protecting refugee women and girls, addressing insecurity in refugee camps and more effectively addressing protracted refugee situations. Canada seeks durable solutions for refugees by promoting comprehensive approaches that engage diplomatic, development, migration and security expertise. Canada also attaches priority to increasing the effectiveness of UNHCR management practices and efforts to achieve results.

Canada maintains a close bilateral relationship with the UNHCR on issues relating to the Canadian domestic asylum system and the resettlement of refugees from abroad. In fulfilling its obligations under the 1951 Convention, Canada cooperates fully with the UNHCR. In addition, the UNHCR is a recognized referral organization for persons in need of protection for resettlement in Canada.

Canada’s contributions to the UNHCR are a mix of core funding and responsive funding to specific situations such as Darfur and Lebanon. Currently, Canada ranks ninth among the UNHCR’s 15 major donors, having provided $31.2 million to date in 2006. This latest contribution brings Canada’s total contribution to $32.2 million.