Goderich Signal Star, 2017-05-31, Page 27Wednesday, May 31, 2017 • Signal Star 27
Canada Ambassador to Poland,
Stephen de Boer spoke on his position
with the Canadian government at a
Rotary Club meeting last week.
The Rotary Club of Goderich hosted a lunch meeting at Harbour Hill last week,
which included a presentation from guest speaker and Canada Ambassador to
Poland, Stephen de Boer.
Photos by Kathleen Smith/Goderidi Signal Star
Members of the Rotary Club met last week to hear native of Goderich;
Stephen de Boer speak on his position at Ambassador to Poland and the
relations between Canada and Poland.
Canadian Ambassador to Poland in Goderich
Stephen de Boer spoke at the
Rotary Club's weekly meeting
Kathleen Smith
Goderich Signal Star
Each week the Rotary
Club of Goderich hosts a
meeting at Harbour Hill to
discuss business, on-going
and up -coming projects,
and sometimes to hear a
guest speaker on various
topics.
The Rotary Club of
Goderich of approximately
40 members, funds events
and organizations and
donates to the community
ranging from playgrounds
at the beach, to the work-
out equipment that will'
soon be added to the
waterfront.
At the weekly meeting last
Tuesday afternoon, the
Rotary Club gathered in
more of a social setting to
hear guest speaker and
native of Goderich, Stephen
de Boer.
Stephen worked for 11
years for the Government of
Ontario advising on trade
and investment policy
issues before beginning
work with Global Affairs
Canada in 2003.
He has held various posi-
tions in the department
including as Director Gen-
eral of Trade Controls,
Director of Oceans and
Environmental Law Divi-
sion and Director of the
Softwood Lumbar
Division.
From 2010 until 2013,
Stephen was the Deputy
Chief Negotiator for Cli-
mate Change and Director
General of Environment
Canada, promoting Cana-
da's environmental and
economic interests in the
development of a new
agreement on climate
change under the United
Nation's framework.
Stephan has received an
award from the Minister of
International Trade for his
contribution to the con-
clusion and ratification of
the Canada -US softwood
lumbar agreement in 2007,
and received accommoda-
tion from the Deputy Min-
ister of Environment for
his work during the
Copenhagen Climate
Change Conference in
2010.
He has published and
lectured on international
trade and environmental
F
issues, including at the fac-
ulty of Law at Western Uni-
versity and Ryerson
University.
In the position of Cana-
dian Ambassador to
Poland as well as to Bela-
rus, Stephen is stationed at
the Canadian Embassy in
Warsaw, and spoke on his
duties as Ambassador and
the relationship between
Canada and Poland.
"In order for -Canada to
deliver on its programming,
it is absolutely essential that
we rely on the local popula-
tion to the operation of the
Embassy," Stephen
explained on how the
Embassy relies on locally
engaged staff.
According to Stephen,
under Canadian law and
under international law, he
is the most senior represent-
ative of the Government of
Canada in Poland and
Belarus.
"On bi-lateral relations,
here we are simpatico with
Poland on a whole range
of issues: we are in NATO
together; we were sup-
portive of Poland during
martial law and
very supportive in the
transition from Commu-
nism to a free-market
economy; we agree on
many fundamental issues
such as democracy, pro-
tection of human rights
and international assis-
tance," said Stephen.
During his presentation,
Stephen took the Rotary
Club through various
slides, and he spoke on
topics ranging from the
trade relationship between
Canada and Poland to
some of the issues he deals
with on a daily basis in
order to assist Canadians
abroad.
Stephen explained the
•
ider.i, SuO I'JC
Brian Good
on his retirement after 39 years of service. Brian had
worked primarily in the Goderich branch for most of his
career in many roles, with the majority of his tenure as the
Branch Manager. Over the last 3 years Brian was in the role
of South West Regional Manager, supervising the
operations of 16 locations.
importance of getting
involved and providing the
public in Poland a
reminder that Canada has a
presence there in aspects
for trade and immigration:
"We promote Canadian
values through outreach
and media relations. I do
television and radio inter-
views; I go to a lot of ribbon
cuttings and lay a lot of
wreaths. I try to get out into
the country as much as
possible and literally show
the flag [on my car], so
people see that 'Canada is
here; which is an impor-
tant message and value to
deliver:'
The luncheon wrapped
up with a special presenta-
tion of a certificate to
Ambassador de Boer.
The certificate stated that
a donation was made in the
Rotary Club's efforts to
eradicate Polio in Stephen's
honour. The money
donated was able to pro-
vide over 250 children with
immunization from Polio.
Ambassador de Boer was
in Goderich all week visit-
ing family while also mak-
ing a point to visit the stu-
dents at GDCI before
heading back to Poland.
Join
MPP Lisa Thompson &
South Huron Mayor Maureen Cole
in a celebration of
Remarkable Huron County Women
MAUREEN COLE
June 15th, 2017
Reception — 6:30 pm • Dinner — 7:00 pm
Tickets — Si 5
South Huron Recreation Centre
94 Victoria St. East. Exeter. ON
Please RSVP by June 9" to lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org
or call 519-523-4251 or 519-630-2891