Minister talks trade to Korea Society audience

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, was the special guest speaker at the recent Canada Korea Society dinner.

Minister Day's speech was most informative. With his down-to-earth wit and charm he easily captured the attention of the audience. Significant issues covered included the current Canada Korea Free Trade Negotiation and the Korean "Canadian beef embargo", which is being contested through the WTO. Building a stronger bilateral partnership between the two countries was key, said the minister. When there are disputes which are inevitable in any significant trading relationship, it is important to have a mechanism in place to deal with them, just as referees deal with hockey game infractions. The Minister also referred to the positive bilateral "Open Skies" discussions underway and noted the extraordinary strength of the Korean economy. 

Followed by questions and answers, which were an important part of his presentation, Minister Day was thanked by the Society's Past President, retired Ambassador John Harrington. 

The event was held, on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club. Korean tenor soloist, Bobby Cho and his two accompanists (Violinist Sungsuk Park and Pianist Jin-Hyung Lim) got the large turnout off to a rousing start with two Korean traditional folk songs while the Korean food specially prepared by the club chef was served.

Over 120 people attended, including His Excellency Chan-Ho Ha & most Korean diplomats with their spouses, Senators (the Hon. Donald Oliver; the Hon. Marcel Prud'homme and the Hon. Yonah Martin), Members of Parliament (Mr. Barry Devolin, the Hon. Bryon Wilfert, and Ms. Martha Hall Findlay). As most of you already know, Senator Yonah Martin and Mr. Barry Devolin are elected co-Chairs of the current Canada-Korea Inter-Parliamentary Group. Also present was the Hon. David Kilgour, former M.P. & Secretary of State, Asia-Pacific.

Amongst other attendees were DFAIT Representatives Mr. Ken Sunquist, ADM, Asia & Africa & Chief Trade Commissioner, Mr. Paul Benoit, Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Day, Mr. Ben Maynard Special Assistant to Minister Day, Ms. Rashma Agawar, Deputy Chief Negotiator for the Canada-Korea FTA, Mr. Renaude Bender, Senior Trade Policy Analyst, Ms. Karine Asselin, Deputy Director (Political), Korea, and Mr. Chad Fleck, Deputy Director (Trade) Korea/Japan). Mr. Len Edwards, Deputy Minister and Mr. Philip Calvert, Director General, Foreign Affairs were also scheduled to attend but unfortunately, due to last minute scheduling conflicts, were unable to do so and sent deep regrets. Other attendees included representatives from other government departments and agencies, business, academics and leaders of the Korean community. 

 “I was particularly pleased with the number of new members and guests in attendance,” said Young-Hae Lee, president of the Canada Korea Society.  “Board members have worked hard to establish a new direction for the Society, including recruitment of new members widely representing Canadian society as grass-roots ambassadors to bring a closer relationship between our two countries.” Business representations included the Executive Vice-President and Consultants from PLASCO Energy Group; the Senior Vice-President of SNC LAVALIN International; the President of Ottawa Jaguar-Landrover-Volvo and representation from C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., CONSILIUM Ltd., Capilia Group, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, law firms and distinguished professors. Out of town members included renowned scientist Dr. Young-Sup Chung and Mrs. In-Hi Chung from Montreal. 

“Special thanks are extended to Ambassador Ha and the Korean Embassy for their continuing excellent support of the Society, as well as to CKS Vice President, Andy de Schulthess and other Board Members who worked hard with me to make the dinner a super success!” President Lee said.

Korean Ambassador Chan-Ho Ha is with Canada Korea Society President Young-Hae Lee and special guest speaker International Trade Minister Stockwell Day at a recent dinner. Some 120 attended to hear Minister Day speak about trade issues affecting the two countries.