Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AT THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACROSS CANADA

December 6, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today at the lighting of the Christmas Lights Across Canada.

"Canadians throughout the land will be embracing the holiday spirit. We'll unite with family and friends, enjoy all the outdoor pleasures that winter provides, and count our many blessings as Canadians.

As Prime Minister, I travel to many distant and exotic places around the world but, no matter where I go, no matter how warm it may be, this travel always shows me how fortunate we are to possess this wonderful country.

This holiday season, let us reflect on those, abroad and here at home, who do not share our good fortune and let us rededicate ourselves to helping those in need. Let us also give special time in our thoughts and prayers to the courageous members of the Canadian Forces, especially those who are far from friends and family as they do their duty for our country in Afghanistan.

On behalf of Laureen, Ben, Rachel and myself, I wish all Canadians a Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008. "

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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN THE SENIOR RANKS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

December 6, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service.

Lucie McClung, currently Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, becomes Senior Advisor to the Privy Council Office, effective January 7, 2008, pending her next assignment.

Claire Dansereau, currently Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Socio-Economic Policy and Regional Operations, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, effective January 7, 2008.

Liseanne Forand, currently Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Social Development Policy, Privy Council Office, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, effective January 7, 2008.

William Pentney, currently Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Priorities and Planning, Privy Council Office, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, effective January 7, 2008.

Claude Carrière, currently Minister (Economic) and Deputy Head of Mission at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, effective January 28, 2008.

Yves Côté, currently Ombudsman of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, effective January 7, 2008. The government will move quickly to appoint the next Ombudsman.

Peter Sylvester, currently Vice-President, Program Delivery, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, becomes President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, effective immediately.

Keith Fernandez, currently Senior Deputy Director of Operations, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, becomes Interim Director of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, effective immediately, until such time as a permanent Director is appointed.


Biographical notes attached.


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LUCIE McCLUNG

Education

Bachelor, Criminology, Université de Montréal

Specialization, Clinical Intervention, Reality Therapy Institute, USA

Professional Experience

Since September 2005
Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

2000 - 2005
Commissioner of Corrections, Correctional Service of Canada

2000 to 2000
Assistant Secretary, Priorities and Planning, Privy Council Office

1996 - 2000
Chief, Task Force on the Review of Administrative Segregation, and then Senior Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Service of Canada

1994 - 1996
Warden, Montée St.-François Institution, Québec region, Correctional Service of Canada

1992 - 1994
Assistant Commissioner, Internal Audits and Investigations, Correctional Service of Canada

1990 - 1992
Director, Operational Planning and Resources Analysis, Corporate Services, Correctional Service of Canada

1989-1990
Assistant Director, Strategic Planning and International Development, Correctional Service of Canada

1987 - 1989
Regional Chief, then Acting Regional Administrator, Planning and Administrative Services, Correctional Service of Canada

1983 - 1987
Training Officer, then Assistant Director, Customer Service, Staff College

1980 - 1983
Parole Officer, Cowansville Institution and Granby Parole Office, Correctional Service of Canada, Québec Region



CLAIRE DANSEREAU

Education

Master of Science, Planning, University of British Columbia

Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, University of British Columbia

Professional Experience

Since November 2006
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Socio-Economic Policy and Regional Operations, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

2005 – 2006
Vice President and Special Advisor to the President, Canadian International Development Agency

2001 – 2005
Executive Director, CUSO

1997 – 2001
Associate Deputy Minister then Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Government of British Columbia

1994 – 1997
Vice-President, Operations, Forest Renewal BC, Government of British Columbia

1993 – 1994
Consultant to the forest industry, Dansereau Consulting and Facilitation

1989 – 1993
Director and Planner, Environment and Land-Use Department, IWA-Canada



LISEANNE FORAND

Education

Master of Arts (English), Concordia University

Bachelor of Arts (English), Concordia University

Professional Experience

Since September 2006
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Social Development Policy, Privy Council Office

2003 – 2006
Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

2001 – 2003
Assistant Executive Director, Programs and Communications Services, Communication Canada

1998 – 2001
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

1994 – 1998
Director General, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

1993 – 1994
Executive Director, Canadian Association of Prawn Producers

1990 – 1993
Director, International Fisheries, Atlantic Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

1989 – 1990
Coordinator, Canada-France Maritime Boundary Arbitration, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

1986 – 1988
Communications Assistant, then Executive Assistant of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, then International Fisheries Officer, Eastern Bloc Countries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

1985 – 1986
Communications Coordinator, House of Commons



WILLIAM F. PENTNEY

Education

LL.B. and Master's in Public Law, University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Arts, Queen's University

Ontario Bar (1985)

Professional Experience

Since October 2006
Assistant Secretary to Cabinet, Priorities and Planning, Privy Council Office

2005 - 2006
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Department of Justice

2003 - 2005
Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Citizenship, Immigration and Public Safety, Department of Justice

2002 - 2003
Senior General Counsel, Public Law Policy, Department of Justice

2001 - 2002
Associate Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio, Department of Justice

1999 - 2001
Director General, Aboriginal Justice, Department of Justice

1991 - 1999
General Counsel and Director of Legal Services, Canadian Human Rights Commission

1983 - 1991
Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa



CLAUDE CARRIÈRE

Education

Master of Economics, University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa

Professional Experience

Since September 2004
Minister (Economic) and Deputy Head of Mission, Canadian Embassy, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

2003 – 2004
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade, Economic and Environmental Policy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1999 – 2003
Director General, General Trade Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1996 – 1999
Director, Market Access for Goods, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1994 – 1996
Director, Technical Barriers to Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1990 – 1994
Counsellor - Trade Policy, Canadian Embassy, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

1987 – 1990
Deputy Director, Trade Relations with U.S.A., Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

1985 – 1987
First Secretary, Mission of Canada to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Geneva

1980 – 1985
Trade Policy Officer, GATT Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade



YVES CÔTÉ

Education

B.A. Honours Psychology, Université d'Ottawa

LL.L., Université de Laval

Professional Experience

Since August 2005
Ombudsman of the Department of the National Defence and the Canadian Forces

2004 - 2005
Counsel to the Clerk of the Privy Council, Privy Council Office

2003 - 2004
Counsel to the Clerk and Assistant Secretary, Legislation and House Planning, Privy Council Office

2000 - 2003
Assistant Deputy Minister, Business Law and Regulatory Affairs Portfolio, Justice Canada

1998 - 2000
Counsel to the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces, Justice Canada

1997 - 1998
Senior General Counsel, Civil Litigation and Real Property Law Section, Justice Canada

1996 - 1997
Coordinator, Somalia Inquiry, Justice Canada

1996 - 1997
General Counsel, Director, Human Rights Law Section, Justice Canada

1994 - 1996
Assistant Director, Human Rights Law Section, Justice Canada

1989 - 1994
General Counsel, Human Rights Law Section, Justice Canada

1984 - 1988
Legal Advisor, Canada Employment and Immigration Commission, Justice Canada

1981 - 1984
Lawyer, National Health, Justice Canada

1977 - 1981
Lawyer, Judge Advocate General, Canadian Forces



PETER SYLVESTER

Education

Bachelor of Arts, University of Ottawa

LL.L., University of Ottawa

Professional Experience

Since March 2007
Vice-President, Program Delivery, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

2005 - 2007
Vice-President, Policy Development, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

2001 - 2005
Senior General Counsel, Head, Legal Services (DOJ), Human Resources Development Canada, then Social Development Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

1999 - 2001
General Counsel / Director, Dispute Resolution Services, Department of Justice

1996 - 1999
Senior Counsel, Head, Legal Services (DOJ), Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

1995 1996
Chair, Environmental Issues Secretariat, Department of Justice

1985 - 1995
Various positions within the federal government, including the Department of Justice (Legal Counsel), and the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Board Secretary).



KEITH FERNANDEZ

Education

Bachelor of Arts, History, McGill University
(Specialization in Canadian-American Relations)

Professional Experience

Since November 2007
Senior Deputy Director of Operations, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

2006 - 2007
Assistant Deputy Minister, Ottawa Liaison Office, Western Economic Diversification Canada

2003 - 2006
Director General, Operations, Ottawa Liaison Office, Western Economic Diversification Canada

2001 - 2003
Director, Industry, Science and Regional Development and Regulatory Affairs Division, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada

1999 - 2001
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director on Litigation Management, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

1998 - 1999
Director, Client Services Division, Customs

1996 - 1998
Director, Small Business (SME) Sector, Tariff Programs Division, Trade Administration Branch, Customs

1977 - 1996
Held various positions at Customs

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Notice

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Public events for December 7, 2007

December 6, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Friday, December 7th are:

Rivière-du-Loup, Québec

12:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will deliver a speech at the Rivière-du-Loup Chamber of Commerce. He will be joined by Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Jean-Pierre Blackburn and members of the Conservative caucus.

Hôtel Universel de Rivière-du-Loup
311, boul. Hôtel-de-Ville
Rivière-du-Loup, Québec
G5R 5S4

*Open to Media*

Note: Media will need to be accredited. Please bring proper ID.

Rimouski, Québec

4:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will participate in a roundtable meeting. He will be joined by Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Jean-Pierre Blackburn.

Hôtel Rimouski
225, boul. René-Lepage Est
Rimouski, Québec
G5L 1P2

*Photo Opportunity Only*

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Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

December 6, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the occasion of Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women 2007, marking the 18th anniversary of the murder of 14 young women at l'École polytechnique de Montréal.

"On December 6, 1989, 14 young, bright, ambitious students at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal were murdered by a hate-filled gunman. The scale of the slaughter was shocking, but even more horrifying was the killer's motive: Every one of the victims was a woman.

As we mark this tragic anniversary let us rededicate ourselves to preventing and eliminating violence against women, and to making our communities safer for all of us.

The Montreal Massacre was a monstrous insult to our core Canadian values. We believe fundamentally in the equality of men and women, and we believe all Canadians should be able to live in our country without fear of crime.

During the last two years, our Government has pursued a comprehensive set of criminal justice reforms to protect these essential characteristics of Canadian society.

These changes will help protect women from dangerous sexual offenders and help protect young girls from sexual predators. They will also impose tougher sentences and bail requirements on people who commit serious gun crimes. And they will end house arrest for serious violent crimes, such as sexual assault.

But the quest for safe streets and communities will not be achieved through criminal justice reform alone. That's why our Government is taking action to address poverty, which disproportionately burdens single mothers and their children, and put them at higher risk of criminal victimization.

We have also initiated measures to address the unequal treatment of aboriginal women. They deserve the same matrimonial property rights and human rights protections that apply to all other Canadian women.

And we have boosted funding for the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada, which supports programs across the country that seek to eliminate violence against girls and women.

On this day of Remembrance and Action let us honour the memory of the Montreal women who were murdered by misogyny by working together to protect the lives, dignity and equality of all women."

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