Rideau Hall, Tuesday, January 28, 2013

It is a pleasure to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall, and to our country!

I hope that your stay here is both productive and enjoyable. As you know, there is so much to see and to do in Canada, so many communities to visit and people to meet, so many different ways for us to work together for mutual benefit.

I also know you will keep yourselves busily immersed in the large diplomatic community here in Ottawa.

Canadians are eager to work with you in the areas of research, education, trade and investment, but we also want this country to be a haven for all of you to get to know your diplomatic neighbours; for the representatives of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Uganda, Ethiopia and Qatar to exchange on issues and to find common ground to collaborate in making a better world.

Ambassador AlSudairy, I understand that you have been an instrumental figure at the United Nations on peace and disarmament efforts, in addition to holding positions of importance within your own country. Your experiences in these and other positions will no doubt help as you explore the diversity of this country.

The relationship that exists between Saudi Arabia and Canada only scratches the surface of what is possible. I am thinking specifically of our education links, which are already robust. The result of our research collaboration and our student exchanges are more knowledgeable citizens who are better able to operate in a globalized world. I look forward to speaking with you about our future partnerships.

Ambassador Brêtas, it seems that your life has taken you full circle, as you began your career as a desk officer for Canada in Brazil. I know that you have been to Canada before, and that you are eager to further explore the nation and meet with Canadians. I hope that you are able to see as much of this country as possible, and to advance issues in which we can work together.

I well remember my visit in 2012 to Brazil, a great and valued partner in the Americas. I was welcomed with such warmth and participated in fascinating discussions on the ways we are collaborating. We have gone beyond trade and investment, sharing knowledge in science and technology, and committing more resources to the exchange of students. Your presence here underscores the importance of our relationship and I hope to have the chance to speak with you about our mutual experiences.

High Commissioner Nsambu, we share a similar view on the importance of education. During your time as an elected member of parliament, you were a great proponent of integrating new technologies into classrooms. I am pleased to note your efforts in this area, as high-quality education is one of the key indicators of a successful nation.

Uganda and Canada have many mutual interests, including regional peace and security. I am also interested to hear that Canadian companies are investing and working in your country; for example, the Royal Canadian Mint, which has been producing Ugandan coins for more than 15 years. I look forward to exchanging with you on ways in which we can further our bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Dadi, you also have an interest in education, having been a teacher for many years. But I think it is your Canadian experience—the years you spent in our country working in Ottawa and Toronto—that will be your greatest advantage during this posting. To you, this city is like a second home, and we are pleased to have you back.

Ethiopia and Canada have many opportunities to improve on our ties. Many Canadian companies, particularly in the mining sector, have identified your country as having great investment potential. And what’s more, we are sharing knowledge of policies and best practices that will help our economies grow. With your deep insight into both of our countries, I look forward to speaking with you about our many partnerships.

Ambassador Kafoud, as someone with experience living and working in North America, you know the value of diplomacy. I hope that you have the chance to see our country, to travel and to meet with the many Canadians who are eager to work with the people of Qatar.

In fact, Qatar and Canada already have a very diverse relationship. Our trade is strong and we share knowledge across borders rapidly and with ease. My wife and I had the chance to visit Qatar in 2011 and we were very impressed with what we saw. I was especially pleased to visit the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, which is a great reminder of our friendship. It will be a pleasure to speak with you about our two countries.

Let me say to all of you, once again, welcome to Canada. I wish you and your families well as you assume your new roles.

Thank you.