Canadian Navy gets a shout-out from Stephen Harper

NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

**************************** Prime Minister Harper thanks Canadian Navy at Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today thanked the crew of HMCS Ville de Québec in Port of Spain, Trinidad. 

The Ville de Québec from CFB Halifax, and also a CP-140 Aurora maritime surveillance aircraft from 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, are contributing to maritime surveillance and security during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago.

“HMCS Ville de Québec has shown the Navy’s willingness to go into danger whenever Canada is needed around the world,” said the Prime Minister. “From participating in NATO’s standing naval force in the Atlantic to escorting a relief ship through pirate-infested waters off the coast of Africa to providing security for the Commonwealth Summit, the crew is showing the countries of the Americas that Canada is a good neighbour and that it takes hemispheric security very seriously.”

Under Operation TATOU, the Canadian frigate and aircraft will patrol the ocean surrounding the Caribbean nation as part of the multinational task force providing security to the CHOGM.  

The Canadian Forces will also provide one CC-150 Polaris aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, to airlift some 200 military and police personnel from other Caribbean nations assisting the Trinidadian authorities with Summit security.

“It’s an honour to stand among brave and dedicated men and women who have chosen the noble career of serving our great country,” said the Prime Minister.

The Canadian Forces are contributing to multinational security efforts for the meeting at the request of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.  

This aligns with the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase engagement in the Americas.

**************************** Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the closing of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:

“It has been a pleasure to join Her Majesty The Queen, head of the Commonwealth, and other leaders of Commonwealth countries, to mark the 60th anniversary of this vital world institution.

I should like to congratulate The Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, for his country’s generous hospitality.

Throughout our meetings I stressed Canada’s strong support for the Commonwealth’s primary focus on its core competency: promoting democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law, principles that are in accord with our own.

I reiterated the need for all nations to ensure sustainable, balanced growth by continuing stimulus policies, fixing the global financial system, liberalizing trade and resisting protection.

We had a productive dialogue on climate change.

We all recognized the urgency of taking action to minimize the adverse impacts of climate change.

In particular, we recognized the threats to small island states, low-lying coastal states and the least-developed countries.

Those of us going to Copenhagen share a common understanding that we need to act together.

Canada is seeking a long-term international agreement where we all contribute to the solution.

Such an agreement would also encourage the development and use of clean technologies while fostering the economic growth needed to pay for global warming mitigation.

Throughout the Summit, I had fruitful exchanges with the Prime Ministers of Australia, Denmark, Great Britain and India.

I also met with the UN Secretary-General, leaders from the Caribbean community and several other heads of government.”

**************************** Pictured - Prime Minister Stephen Harper tours the HMCS Ville de Québec. The Canadian frigate provided security at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.