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Update!

CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAWRENCE CANNON MADE THE FOLLOWING REMARKS AT ASEAN-CANADA MINISTERIAL MEETING ON 26 JULY 2010 IN HANOI, VIETNAM

“Canada views the promotion and protection of human rights in Southeast Asia as a key requirement for ASEAN members to realize their full political, economic and human potential." "In this regard," he said "Canada has grave concerns regarding Burma’s disregard for human rights and repression of the country’s democratic forces. New electoral laws did little to change this. As the 2010 election approaches, Canada urges the government of Burma to respect and abide by international standards and human rights principles by conducting a process that is free, fair, inclusive and transparent.”

He further added,“Credible elections must be preceded by the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and genuine dialogue between the government, members of the democratic opposition and ethnic groups.” Further reading here…

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EXCERPT FROM CANADIAN AMBASSADOR RON HOFFMAN AT 65TH BIRTHDAY OF BURMESE DEMOCRACY LEADER DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI:

"Today we reaffirm our commitment to carry this collective struggle forward. The Government of Canada will do its part to ensure that Canadian actions match our words." "To this end," he said, "Canada has imposed, and continues to, the toughest sanctions in the world on Burma's military regime." He also added that Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the few foreigners granted honorary Canadian citizenship for her work towards democracy in Burma.Further reading here

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Excerpt from G8 Declaration
26 July 2010 - Muskoka, Canada

“We urge the Government of [Burma] to take the steps necessary to allow for free and fair elections. Full and inclusive democratic participation is essential to this. We urge the Government to release without delay all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and engage the democratic opposition and representatives of ethnic groups in a substantive dialogue on the way forward to national reconciliation.”Further reading here

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Canada Deeply Concerned by Burmese Election Laws

“Canada is deeply concerned by the new election laws unveiled by the Burmese regime this week. While Canada continues to study the new laws carefully as they are promulgated, what we have seen to date suggests that the Burmese regime is resolutely failing to deliver on its promise of free and fair elections this year. More

-The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs

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Canada Renews Support for Burmese Refugees and Displaced People

"Canada's renewed support builds on the significant results being achieved in Burma's border areas."

-The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation

March 6, 2010 Saskatoon (Saskatchewan)  ― On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, today announced the Government of Canada will continue support for Burmese refugees and displaced persons living in Burma's border areas. More

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CFOB welcomes renewed and increased funding to Thai-Burma Border Projects

Ottawa (March 10, 2010) – Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) welcomes the renewed and  increased funding of the Government of Canada for the Thai-Burma Border Project – from $12.4 million to $15.9 million over five years, a substantial increase from the previous five-year program. More
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Saskatoon Declaration of 3rd Burma Forum Canada

The 3rd Burma Forum Canada was successfully held from March 6 to 7, 2010 in Saskatoon, Canada. More than 50 Burmese organizational representatives including ethnic nationalities across Canada and representatives from National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), the Burmese government in exile, Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) and Euro-Burma Office (EBO) participated. A wide range of Burma-related issues such as international polices towards Burma, analysis on 2010 elections and possible scenarios, and the role of ethnic nationalities in the political process in Burma were discussed. The Forum participants unanimously agreed to announce the following: more

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A historic moment for Burma and Canada

Honorary Citizenship to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Canada presented the Honorary Canadian Citizenship to Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on May 5, 2008.

Learn more and Read related news

Canada imposed toughest economic sanction

The new sanctions include:

• ban all goods exported from Canada to Burma, except humanitarian goods
• ban all goods imported from Burma into Canada
• Freeze assets of any designated Burmese connected with the Burmese State
• Prohibit the provision of Canadian financial services to and from Burma
• prohibit the export of any technical data to Burma
• ban new investment in Burma by Canadian persons and companies
• prohibit Canadian-registered ships and aircraft from docking or landing in Burma
• prohibit Burmese-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing in Canada or passing through Canada

See more detailed measure on government document, Canada Gazette

Current campaigns

• CPP Divestment Campaign     learn more...    Sign Petition Online
• University Endowment Divestment Campaign   learn more..

Canada-Burma relations

If you want to know more about Canada-Burma relations click here...

If you want to know about an historic Burma Motion passed in Canadian Parliament click here...

If you want to know more about us, read below...Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) founded in 1991 is a federally incorporated non-profit organization working for the establishment of democracy and human rights in Burma.CFOB’s committments include:

• monitoring Canada’s relations with Burma
• raising awareness in Canada about the political and social-economic situation in Burma
• encouraging the federal government, organizations and citizens to pressure the Burmese government to restore democracy, and respect human rights.
• working closely with Burmese exiles, democratic movements and human rights organizations in Canada and around the world.

CFOB is devoted to achieving political and social-economic changes in Burma by continuously carrying out research, publishing reports, and producing other educational material. CFOB also organizes campaigns and educational events, and maintains an on-going dialogue with the Canadian Federal government, and with various national organizations.

Recent achievements include:

• the creation of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB), a union of twenty-five MPs and Senators from various political parties in Canada who are working to raise awareness of conditions in Burma.
• Passing the Burma Motion in the Canadian Parliament.  This motion guarantees the federal government’s action on:
  • implementing comprehensive economic sanctions on Burma
  • openly pushing for the intervention of the UN Security Council
  • monetary support for the Burmese democratic movement.