Category: Nation

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“Each of us has a role to play to change our world for the better”- P.M. Trudeau

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Thanksgiving:

“Today, Canadians across the country will celebrate Thanksgiving – a day to gather with family and friends and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy in our lives.

“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the harvest, and a chance to appreciate the many people who contribute every day to our communities. We honour our service members, who courageously and selflessly defend our country’s fundamental values of justice, democracy, and freedom. We also give thanks for the people who work each day to change our lives for the better. People across Canada contribute in thousands of ways to keep us healthy and safe, and to make our communities stronger and more open.

“This holiday also reminds us that many people, in Canada and around the world, do not share equally in the benefits we enjoy. Thanksgiving asks us to remember those less fortunate, and to show compassion to those in need – not only today, but every day. Continue reading ““Each of us has a role to play to change our world for the better”- P.M. Trudeau”

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This Thanksgiving, Gobble Up Ontario Goodness

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To make the most of your festive meal this Thanksgiving, be sure to include locally grown and harvested food and beverages. Local food is healthy and delicious, and supporting local farmers across Ontario is a great way to celebrate those who grow, produce and harvest the good things we eat and drink.

Here are some quick tips to make the most of Ontario’s harvest:

  • Turkey Tips – Smoke, roast or barbecue a locally raised turkey. It’s packed with vitamins and nutrients, and low in cholesterol and sodium, making it the perfect centrepiece of your meal. Learn the best way to cook a turkey at Turkey Farmers of Ontario’s makesitsuper.ca.
  • Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill – To help ensure your holiday meal is prepared safely, follow four simple steps. Clean your hands, surfaces and equipment well and often. Separate cooked or ready-to-eat foods from raw meat, other uncooked foods or contaminated utensils. Cook food thoroughly, and chill leftovers to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
  • Family Favourite Recipes – Whether your family loves tradition or likes to try new things, Foodland Ontario has a number of simple recipes that are a delicious way to feature Ontario’s bounty on your table.
  • Local Ingredients – Choosing local ingredients from the abundance of Ontario’s harvest is easy at farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms and on-farm markets. Visit Harvest Ontario and Ontario Farm Fresh to learn more about where to buy local. The Foodland Ontario logo makes it easy to find local products where you shop.
  • Celebrating the Feast – Raise your glass of local Ontario wine, craft beer or ciderthis Thanksgiving. Continue reading “This Thanksgiving, Gobble Up Ontario Goodness”
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Born Ready. Worn Proudly. Hudson’s Bay Launches Team Canada Collection For PyeongChang 2018

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On Tuesday, Canada’s iconic retailer, Hudson’s Bay, unveiled the Team Canada Collection that will outfit Canadian athletes at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Fifteen Canadian PyeongChang 2018 hopefuls showcased the collection including looks for the opening and closing ceremonies at a live public event that gave fans the first look at the new kit. The event was simultaneously broadcasted on Facebook Live engaging fans across the country and around the world.

Hudson’s Bay Company, a Premier Partner of the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee has raised more than $41 million to date from the sale of the company’s iconic Red Mittens, Para Flip-Flops and additional programs. The money raised helps to provide access to elite coaching, equipment, sport medicine, nutrition and other high-performance resources that make up a world-class daily training environment.

“As the Official Outfitter of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams, HBC is proud to support our athletes and connect our country through the passionate spirit of the Games,” said Alison Coville, President, Hudson’s Bay. “We are excited to unveil this new collection today and to launch the 9th edition of our now iconic Red Mittens which directly help our athletes achieve their dreams. Wearing the mittens is a fun and easy way for Canadians to show their support for Team Canada.” Continue reading “Born Ready. Worn Proudly. Hudson’s Bay Launches Team Canada Collection For PyeongChang 2018”

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Amazon Adventure Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre

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 An immersive IMAX® experience based on a true story of  scientific discovery set in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre’s Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre

Toronto (October 3, 2017) – AMAZON ADVENTURE traces the 11‐year Amazon rainforest expedition of
naturalist, explorer and scientist Henry Walter Bates, who provided “the beautiful proof” to Charles
Darwin for his then controversial theory of natural selection, the scientific explanation for the
development of life on Earth. AMAZON ADVENTURE is a compelling detective story of peril,
perseverance and success, drawing audiences into the fascinating world of animal mimicry, the natural
phenomenon where one animal adopts the look of another, gaining an advantage to survive. AMAZON
ADVENTURE opens to the public at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto on October 6, 2017; the film’s
run time is 45 minutes.

“This compelling real life story chronicles the search for experimental proof for Darwin’s theory of
natural selection in the remote Amazon basin,” said Maurice Bitran, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Science
Officer, Ontario Science Centre, “providing an inspiring demonstration of the scientific method at work
as well as highlighting the curiosity and perseverance required for scientific breakthrough.”

Continue reading “Amazon Adventure Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre”

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Royals and Rockstars honor Invictus Heroes at Closing Ceremony!

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Last night, the Invictus Games capped off a weeklong event of sports competition at a closing ceremony in Air Canada Centre. The ceremony celebrated war-wounded athletes’ successes and passed the torch to the 2018 hosts from Sydney, Australia. The two-hour show brought out two famed rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams together on stage for the first time ever.

Prince Harry presented a participation medal to the captain of each team after the 17 country parade of nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau delivered a warm message saying “These Invictus Games are a celebration of your fearlessness,” she said.

Video screens across the theatre displayed highlights from the week and musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Coeur de pirate, Kelly Clarkson and Bachman & Turner were interwoven between speeches.

United Kingdom’s Mark Ormrod was the winner of the Jaguar Award for exceptional performance, determination and dedication. Team Afghanistan won the Land Rover Above and Beyond Award for sportsmanship, commitment and spirit.

Ontario’s Premiere Kathleen Wynne also thanked the volunteers and introduced the flag handover segment as Invictus Games Foundation chair Sir Keith Mills passed the flag to the Australian delegation. Continue reading “Royals and Rockstars honor Invictus Heroes at Closing Ceremony!”

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Alibaba hosts Gateway’17 highlighting China

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The event, hosted by Alibaba, brought together Canadian small businesses to learn how to better access the growing Chinese market

Canada and China enjoy strong and deep people-to-people and business-to-business ties, and there is tremendous opportunity for further growth. This was the message delivered by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, during her introduction of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at Gateway ’17.

Gateway ’17, a business fair hosted by Alibaba, brought together Canadian small businesses to encourage them to expand into the Chinese market, particularly using the Alibaba platform. Alibaba is the largest online retailer in the world.

During her remarks, Minister Chagger spoke about the Government of Canada’s commitment to building stronger ties with China, especially through increased tourism during the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018 and for years to come.

The Minister also commended Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, for organizing the She-ERA Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship in Hangzhou, China, this past July. Minister Chagger represented the Government at the conference, and in her keynote address, she emphasized Canada’s continued commitment to promoting equality through empowering women entrepreneurs. The conference, which also featured a video from Prime Minister Trudeau, was an impressive discussion about the valuable contribution women are making to business and the work that still remains to achieve full equality.

Continue reading “Alibaba hosts Gateway’17 highlighting China”

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to visit Canada

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, will come to Canada for a working visit on September 22 and 23, 2017. The two leaders will meet on September 22, 2017, in Toronto on the margins of the Invictus Games.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Poroshenko will discuss how to strengthen the already robust security and people-to-people connections between Canada and Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau will also reiterate Canada’s ongoing support for the people of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its reform efforts.

Our two countries have a long history of friendship, common values, and shared ambitions for the future of our people. Canada is committed to the continued deepening of our relations with Ukraine, including through the opportunities created by the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.

“Canada and Ukraine enjoy a historic friendship forged through generations of shared values and strong relations. Canada will continue to work closely with Ukraine to bring greater security, prosperity, and economic independence to the Ukrainian people.”
— Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

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City of Toronto introduces new School Safety Zones as part of Vision Zero Road Safety Plan

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Mayor John Tory and Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, were joined by Superintendent Gord Jones from the Toronto Police Service, Sara Whitehead, a public health physician and road safety expert representing the Partnership for Healthy Cities and Vital Strategies, and Trustee Gerri Gershon (Ward 13) from the Toronto District School Board this morning to unveil one of seven new School Safety Zones.

The safety zones have new features aimed at improving the safety of children walking to school and are part of the City’s $80-million Vision Zero Road Safety Plan and overall traffic safety measures.

“The safety of all pedestrians, but particularly children, must be a priority in this city,” said Mayor Tory. “Through the School Safety Zone program, we have looked at how children travel to school and have added measures to keep them safe on their journey.”

“The safety of Toronto’s streets remains my top priority for 2017. We’re committed to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our streets,” said Councillor Robinson. “The School Safety Zones are just one of the ways we are delivering on our commitment.”

The School Safety Zones feature new school zone safety signs with flashing beacons, school zone pavement stencils, “Watch your speed” driver feedback signs and zebra markings at school crosswalks. Continue reading “City of Toronto introduces new School Safety Zones as part of Vision Zero Road Safety Plan”

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Royal Canadian Air Force supports Hurricane Harvey Relief Flight to Texas

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A Royal Canadian Air Force CC130J Hercules departed 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario yesterday, for Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, carrying humanitarian supplies from the Government of Canada to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

In the wake of the hurricane, the Government of Canada offered to assist with relief efforts and the United States accepted this offer through its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The RCAF airlift is part of a Whole of Government response to the relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey that has caused a mandatory evacuation of approximately 750,000 people with an additional 1.1 million people who are under a voluntary evacuation order along the Gulf Coast.

“Like all good neighbours, Canada and the United States are there for each other in times of crisis. Canadians can be proud that ‎the Royal Canadian Air Force is well-suited to humanitarian missions at home and abroad thanks to its agility, flexibility and professionalism. The Canadian Armed Forces will continue to work with other departments in the Canadian government as well as our partners in the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be responsive to requests for aid as our American friends and neighbours recover from the horrors of Hurricane Harvey.”

— Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister Continue reading “Royal Canadian Air Force supports Hurricane Harvey Relief Flight to Texas”

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Labor Day Holiday long weekend:Plan your border crossing

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CBSA advises travellers to plan their border crossing for the Labour Day Holiday long weekend

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is anticipating heavy traffic volumes at ports of entry in Eastern and Northern Ontario this Labour Day Holiday long weekend and would like to remind travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays.

Beat the border rush by crossing at a non-peak time. Regardless of your itinerary, try to plan crossing the border in the morning, especially if you cross on Sunday or Monday. Most lineups at the border start building in the afternoon and carry on throughout the evening.

For travellers crossing at the Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) port of entry, be aware of the current construction taking place for the new facility. Travellers and commercial vehicles may experience delays as a result of reduced processing lanes. At peak times, travellers and commercial vehicles may choose to enter Canada via the Prescott port of entry.

We encourage travellers to plan ahead and help facilitate their border crossing by following these tips:

  1. Plan your border crossing – Check border wait times using the CanBorder App and cross at the least busy port of entry in the area.
  2. Know your purchases and keep travel documents handy – Know your personal exemptions and restrictions and make sure that each passenger has the correct travel document. Continue reading “Labor Day Holiday long weekend:Plan your border crossing”