Latest news with #HighCommissionofCanada
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Canadian film festival bridges cultures
Lahore Arts Council organized a cake cutting ceremony and portrait painting competition to celebrate 145th Birth Anniversary of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Alhamra. PHOTO: FACEBOOK The Lahore Arts Council, in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada, hosted a Canadian Film Festival. The festival featured a curated selection of eight acclaimed Canadian films, each exploring a range of human experiences and social themes. From intimate family narratives to broader societal issues, the films resonated with viewers and sparked conversations on shared values and diverse perspectives. High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan Leslie Scanlon attended the event and expressed her appreciation for the warm reception. "This festival is a celebration of cultural understanding and artistic collaboration. Cinema is a powerful medium that transcends borders, and events like this bring people closer together," she noted. Chairman of the Lahore Arts Council, Razi Ahmed, reflected on the deepening ties between the two countries.
Canada Standard
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom
May 20, 2025 London, United Kingdom Parks Canada At a plaque unveiling ceremony yesterday in London, United Kingdom (UK), Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, along with Bernard Theriault, Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, attended an event hosted by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada in the UK. The event commemorated the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the UK. The unveiling of the commemorative plaque and announcement of the national historic designation were made on behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada through Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration. The establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom (UK) was an important chapter in Canada's diplomatic history. Canada was the first country in what became the Commonwealth to establish a high commission. The role of the High Commission, Canada's oldest diplomatic posting, evolved as Canada gained more legal and diplomatic autonomy. Since its informal beginnings in the late 19th century, the office has promoted Canadian interests in trade and immigration. On 29 June 1925, King George V and Queen Mary opened the newly renovated Canada House on Trafalgar Square, which became the new home of the High Commission of Canada. Its stature and proximity to the centres of British decision-making reflected Canada's growing independence and significant role within the Commonwealth. The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present.
Canada Standard
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
For a Canadian in London, King Charles' Royal Garden Party inspires sustainability education
On a glorious afternoon recently, I had the good fortune to attend a specially themed Education and Skills Garden Party hosted at Buckingham Palace in London to celebrate the contributions of educators in the United Kingdom and beyond. As a Canadian citizen living and working in education in the United Kingdom, I was invited to attend by the High Commission of Canada in London. The occasion provided a relaxing yet exciting opportunity to reflect on my involvement embedding sustainability into education related to innovation and intellectual property (IP) rights law. King Charles has been a lifelong supporter of sustainability education, which is a new addition to the curricula. For me, the Royal garden and lake beautifully highlighted concerns with sustainability. The King's Royal garden at the Palace is an oasis in the city of London, alive with foliage and wildlife that guests may stroll around and explore. According to the event leaflet: "A survey of the Garden by the London Natural History Society revealed a wealth of flora and fauna, some quite rare species." Garden parties are a special way for members of the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of people, all of whom have made a positive impact on their community. Today these events are a way to recognize and reward public service. A network of sponsors is used to invite guests, including lord-lieutenants, societies and associations, government departments and local government, as well as representatives of various churches and other faiths. Charles first marked the issue of pollution in 1970 when he was a 21-year-old student. The King continues to champion his lifelong passion regarding the importance of the health of the environment and living sustainably. Since 2004, I have been an innovation, intellectual property rights and business law educator. My research group contributed to a publication called The Guide to The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed to explore the connections between the United Nation's 17 SDGs, sustainable development and IP. Intellectual property is of concern because we need to envision and build a common future with innovation and creativity. How sustainability challenges are overcome depends on the commercialization of new green technology catalysts. However, this process is complex. Choosing between solar versus wind, or hydro, geothermal or tidal energy technologies involves making difficult choices. IP rights, such as patents, provide practical scientific information about new green technologies. This information helps society to prioritize public, private and alternative financing to support climate change mitigation and adaptation. Canadian firms have patented numerous climate change mitigation technologies. For example, the Toronto-based WhalePower has significantly advanced fluid dynamics and has filed Canadian, European Union, United States, Chinese and Indian patents to protect its new technology. Their award-winning invention, inspired by the bumpy flippers of humpback whales, results in more efficient and reliable wind turbine blades. Read more: Here's why UK tides are soon going to play a much bigger part in powering your home This "tubercle" technology, named for a rounded point of a bone, also has applications for hydroelectric turbines and for revolutionizing fan design. These blades, featuring tubercles (bumps) on the leading edge, reduce aerodynamic drag and improve performance. WhalePower also generates revenue by licensing its patented technology to other companies to use in wind turbines. Patents encourage knowledge sharing, because the way the invention works must be disclosed, rather than kept secret. For example, new tidal energy inventors can read Whalepower's patents and be inspired to further advance the new technology with additional incremental innovations. A granted patent is published for free online and digitally tagged using globally recognized classification codes to facilitate easy searching by scientists, investors and financiers. The data collected on the patent register is also used to design new climate innovation research studies and inform policy-making. In this manner, IP often stimulates investment by providing the legal rights needed to justify longer-term investment in a changing landscape of innovation. Long-term investment into green technology is a form of environmental stewardship that I discuss in more detail in my article "Companies and UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure." IP rights support firms like Whalepower by enabling knowledge tools that can bring sustainable development goals closer to fruition. The significant role of IP rights in promoting sustainability gained a higher profile when the United Kingdom's Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) became an Official Nominator for the annual Earthshot Prize launched by Prince William's Royal Foundation in 2020. CIPA helps to identify and nominate solutions for the environmental challenges that the prize aims to address. One nominated solution that uses DNA sequencing and nature's own colours to create sustainable dyes to reduce the use of water and harmful chemicals in the fashion industry, Colorifix, was a runner-up in the 2023 edition. Read more: Can marketing classes teach sustainability? 4 key insights CIPA provides crucial IP rights checks to finalists, ensuring that their innovations have no outstanding IP issues. This partnership is an example of how the Royal Family works together with CIPA to use the power of IP to help solve sustainability challenges. As the King stated when he was Prince of Wales in 2017: "Mine is not a new commitment, but perhaps you will allow me to restate my determination to join you in continuing to do whatever I can, for as long as I can, to maintain not only the health and vitality of the ocean and all that depends upon it, but also the viability of that greatest and most unique of living organisms - nature herself."
Cision Canada
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom Français
LONDON, May 19, 2025 /CNW/ - At a plaque unveiling ceremony today in London, United Kingdom (UK), Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, along with Bernard Thériault, Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, attended an event hosted by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada in the UK. The event commemorated the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the UK. The unveiling of the commemorative plaque and announcement of the national historic designation were made on behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada through Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration. The establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom (UK) was an important chapter in Canada's diplomatic history. Canada was the first country in what became the Commonwealth to establish a high commission. The role of the High Commission, Canada's oldest diplomatic posting, evolved as Canada gained more legal and diplomatic autonomy. Since its informal beginnings in the late 19 th century, the office has promoted Canadian interests in trade and immigration. On 29 June 1925, King George V and Queen Mary opened the newly renovated Canada House on Trafalgar Square, which became the new home of the High Commission of Canada. Its stature and proximity to the centres of British decision-making reflected Canada's growing independence and significant role within the Commonwealth. The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present. Quotes "On behalf of Parks Canada, I am honoured to join the High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, the Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board, and the staff at Canada House in London in commemorating the national historic significance of the establishment of the High Commission of Canada in the UK. Parks Canada's work with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada on designations such as this is an important way to highlight the rich and varied heritage of Canada and provide an opportunity for everyone to learn more about our diverse history." Ron Hallman President & CEO, Parks Canada Agency "Canada House is pleased that the Government of Canada has recognized the national historic significance of the establishment and growth of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom. This special recognition underscores the important role that Canada's evolving diplomatic presence in U.K. has played in representing our country on the global stage since 1869. It acknowledges the extraordinary dedication and hard work of all our Canada-based and locally-engaged staff down through the years, and adds to our celebration this year of the 100 th anniversary of Canada House in its current prestigious location in the heart of London on Trafalgar Square." The Honourable Ralph E. Goodale PC, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization Quick Facts The Canadian government created the position of high commissioner in 1880. Although the position had no formal diplomatic status nor the right to negotiate directly with foreign powers, the high commissioner represented Canadian commercial and financial interests, promoted emigration and trade, and managed Canada's relationship with Britain. This distinctive title, born of the unique status of Canada within the British Empire in the immediate post-Confederation period, would eventually become standard among Commonwealth countries. Today, the High Commission promotes Canada's interests in the UK in a variety of ways—representing the Canadian government to the UK; facilitating bilateral relations in areas such as trade, military and security, climate action, science, and innovation; providing immigration and visa services as well as consular services to Canadians in the UK; and promoting Canadian culture, values, and government priorities. In 2025, Canada House celebrates its centenary, marking a century of diplomacy and delivery for Canada and Canadians in the United Kingdom. Centenary celebrations include a special exhibition about the history of Canada House at Canada Gallery in Trafalgar Square. 1925-2025: A Century of Canada House opens this month until end of summer. Canada Gallery is open to the public and free to visit Monday to Saturday, 11:00-17:45 (BST). The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,270 designations have been made nationwide. To nominate a person, place or historic event, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister responsible for Parks Canada regarding the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada's history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration and these important stories are shared with Canadians. SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
CBC
09-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canadian permanent resident stranded abroad after ID stolen
By the time Helen Bobat was hospitalized on the weekend, she had been stranded abroad without her medication for more than a week. The Ottawa resident planned to be in England for five days in mid-March to make arrangements for her ailing mother, bringing along eight days worth of drugs to manage her diabetes and auto-immune disease. But when her wallet was stolen, Bobat's trip was extended indefinitely. "I panicked because everything is in there," she said. "My credit card, travellers' cheques to pay the legal fees for mom's lasting powers of attorney, and, of course, social insurance card, health card, driver's licence and my PR card." Since Bobat settled in Canada over two decades ago, she's built a career and raised a family as a permanent resident (PR). Her specialty is in communications and crisis management, but that couldn't prepare her for this personal calamity. Bobat can't travel back to Canada without a PR card, and she must be in Canada to apply for a replacement. The only other option is attaining what's known as a "permanent resident travel document" to go in her British passport. Clearing the technical hurdles through the government's online portal to obtain one has so far proven impossible. 'I'm stuck' Bobat first looked for help to return home from the High Commission of Canada in London. She was turned away because she's a permanent resident, not a Canadian citizen. "I'm stuck," she said. "I don't know how to get home. And Canada is my home. It's been my home for 25 years. I have worked, paid taxes, supported the economy." She turned to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) but was unable to have a conversation with a real person. Their call centre can only be reached from Canada and is separate from their technical support desk. Bobat's only communication with IRCC was through a do-not-reply email address, which has yet to provide an effective solution to her problem. Tech problems common In order to get the documents she needs to travel, Bobat has had to use IRCC's portal for permanent residents. That requires filling out an online form that she can't get to work. Applicants use government portals to upload documents and photos, as well as personal information that IRCC needs to assess eligibility. In Bobat's case, she's uploaded copies of identification, past addresses, tax statements, a British police report, and letters explaining how the situation is urgent, especially given that she'd long run out of glucose monitoring equipment and has no access to insulin or her other medication. But the application's grey 'submit' button has so far stubbornly refused to change colour. "I deleted everything and redid everything, made sure that all the dates were correct, that the names were correct," she said, going through a long list of troubleshooting. "I continue to do this. I've tried to submit that application maybe 19 or 20 times." Her adult children have tried to do the same from Canada, and had no luck. After CBC asked the government department to comment on Bobat's case, she received a call from an agent on Tuesday. For more than two hours, they attempted to solve the problem. But even IRCC's tech department appears to be stumped. "She could not fix it because everything I've done is right," Bobat said. Bobat was left without a solution, and said she instead received a promise that the problem will be solved on the IRCC's end. On Tuesday evening, IRCC sent an emailed statement to CBC saying, "the portal is functioning as expected, with no known or reported issues that would have prevented a client from submitting their application." No way to identify error These sorts of technical issues don't surprise Ronalee Carey, an Immigration lawyer based in Ottawa. "Frustration is often the ongoing emotion that people are experiencing while they're using these portals," she said. "There's no error message, which is the issue. At least if they give you an error message, you know what you might need to fix." IRCC's online submission systems were introduced during the pandemic. Carey called the current process a "stop-gap" which wasn't able to go through enough beta testing, but she said the IRCC plans to replace it. For now, immigration lawyers share issues among themselves — finding, for instance, that some of IRCC's systems require dates provided for past addresses to overlap and some do not. Another technical problem saw an application blocked until the hyphens were removed from a phone number. At one point, Carey said, unclicking a box to indicate the application is urgent would fix this sort of issue, though she's unsure if that particular bug has been resolved. Permanent residents who encounter roadblocks are pointed to a courier that can be hired to deliver paper documents, but according to the company's website it no longer provides that service for this type of application. Head to U.S., lawyer recommends When her scheduled flight was set to depart on March 20, Bobat said the airline wouldn't let her board. If it had, Carey said Canada could have issued a fine for letting through a passenger without proper clearance. The immigration lawyer said there is another option, though. A permanent resident can bypass the need for this travel document by crossing the U.S. border into Canada in a private car. Provided you can get an American visa — which Bobat easily acquired online — Carey said there shouldn't be any issue. But Bobat hasn't gone that route. She's worried the system will fail her again, and leave her stranded in yet another country. Without her stolen credit and banking cards, Bobat said life has been difficult. She feels fortunate that she's been able to rent a room at her mother's retirement home for just $75 Cdn per day, but said other costs, including for international phone calls, are piling up. After trying for weeks to get more medication, she was relieved to be discharged from the hospital with a month's supply. "I'm also really struggling to not be with my family. Easter's coming up. It's a time for celebration. It's a time for family," Bobat said. "I'm going to be stuck here. Yes, with my mom whom I love, but I want to go home. I really want to go home." Carey had another suggestion for anyone looking to avoid a similar travel nightmare.
