Huron Expositor, 2017-05-31, Page 11Canadian Ambassador
to Poland in Goderich
116 Stephen de Boer spoke at the
if Rotary Club's weekly meeting
Kathleen Smith
Postmedia Network
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 Goder-
ich of approximately 40
members, funds events and
organizations and donates to
the community ranging from
playgrounds at the beach, to
the workout 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, Direc-
tor of Oceans and Environ-
mental Law Division and
Director of the Softwood
Lumbar Division.
From 2010 until 2013,
Stephen was the Deputy
Chief Negotiator for Climate
Change and Director Gen-
eral of Environment Canada,
promoting Canada's envi-
ronmental and economic
interests in the development
of a new agreement on cli-
mate change under the
United Nation's framework.
Stephan has received an
award from the Minister of
International Trade for his
contribution to the conclu-
sion and ratification of the
Canada -US softwood lum-
bar agreement in 2007, and
received accommodation
from the Deputy Minister of
Environment for his work
during the Copenhagen Cli-
mate Change Conference in
2010.
He has published and lec-
tured on international trade
and environmental issues,
including at the faculty of
Law at Western University
and Ryerson University.
In the position of Cana-
dian Ambassador to Poland
as well as to Belarus, Ste-
phen is stationed at the
Canadian Embassy in War-
saw, and spoke on his duties
as Ambassador and the rela-
tionship between Canada
and Poland.
"In order for Canada to
deliver on its programming,
it is absolutely essential that
we rely on the local
population 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 support-
ive of Poland during martial
law and very supportive in
the transition from Commu-
nism to a free-market econ-
omy; we agree on many fun-
damental issues such as
democracy, protection of
human rights and interna-
tional assistance," said
Stephen.
During his presentation,
Stephen took the Rotary
Club through various slides,
and he spoke on topics rang-
ing from the trade relation-
ship 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
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
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 • Huron Expositor 11
Canada Ambassador to Poland, Stephen de Boer spoke on his position with the Canadian
government at a Rotary Club meeting last week.
media relations. I do televi-
sion and radio interviews; 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 liter-
ally show the flag [on my
car], so people see that 'Can-
ada is here', which is an
important message and
value to deliver."
The luncheon wrapped up
with a special presentation
of a certificate to Ambassa-
dor de Boer.
The certificate stated that
a donation was made in the
Rotary Club's efforts to erad-
icate Polio in Stephen's hon-
our. The money donated was
able to provide over 250 chil-
dren with immunization
from Polio.
Ambassador de Boer was
in Goderich all week visiting
family while also making a
point to visit the students at
GDCI before heading back
to Poland.
Let's do our part, please recycle
Central Huron Council and Staff would like to thank ull volunteers that helped during the Albert Street fire.
Special thanks to our Firefighters and their families forgiving up their weekend. The Central Huron firefighters
werejoined by the Huron East and Goderich departments and we offer our thanks to them as well.
ll e are'ratcful 10 the mans' businesses that donated food and drinks. Although the lass is devastating,
the compassion that ryas demonstrated during this .stres.sf ul time speaks to our .strength as a community.
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Engagement Party
Stacey Smith
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June 3
Huron Fish and
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Food and Prizes
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Anniversary
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June 3, 1967
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On June 3rd this lovely mom,
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friend of many Eleanor Falconer
will turn 90 years young
Love Your family and friends