News Release

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

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PM highlights Canada's role in Afghan training mission

Canada continues proud training role in Afghanistan

May 30, 2011
Kandahar, Afghanistan

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today confirmed that up to 950 military Canadian Armed Forces trainers and support personnel will be deployed to Afghanistan to take part in Operation ATTENTION, the Canadian component of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

"Well-trained, well-led and well-equipped Afghanistan Security Forces are an essential part of the Afghan government assuming full responsibility for national and provincial security and enabling governance and development," said Prime Minister Harper. "Canadians have been an integral part of the training of Afghanistan Security Forces for five years and we intend to continue this important work."

By addressing existing gaps in leadership, literacy development and medical, army, and police training, the mission supports the long-term objective of helping to build a more secure, stable and self-sufficient Afghanistan. Although Canadian Forces personnel will be centered in the Kabul area, they will also fill critical gaps in two key satellite locations at Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat, meeting critical command and training requirements within the NATO mission. It is vital for Canada and its allies to ensure that Afghanistan becomes sufficiently secure to ensure that it will not be a base for international terrorism.

Operation ATTENTION supports the Afghan government and international community's objective of transferring responsibility for Afghan security to Afghans by 2014 and Canada's military will continue the training mission until March of that year.

Also, to strengthen institutional capacity and support anti-corruption efforts, Canada will work to provide mentoring and civilian policing skills to the Ministry of the Interior and Afghan National Police by deploying up to 45 members of civilian police forces to the region as part of Canada's overall engagement in Afghanistan.

For additional information on the Government of Canada's new role in Afghanistan visit: http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/2011-2014.aspx?lang=en (http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/2011-2014.aspx?lang=en) ">http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/2011-2014.aspx?lang=en (http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/2011-2014.aspx?lang=en)

For additional information on the Canadian Forces Training Mission-Afghanistan visit: http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/attention/index-eng.asp (http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/attention/index-eng.asp) ">http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/attention/index-eng.asp (http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/attention/index-eng.asp)

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Backgrounder

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

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Theme of the 2011 Royal Tour of Canada "Moving Forward Together"

May 30, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Canada has been given the distinct honour of hosting the first international tour by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The 2011 Royal Tour of Canada will be their first international destination as a newly married couple, as well as the first Commonwealth country and the first realm country to welcome them. With scheduled stops in the National Capital Region, as well as every region of the country – Atlantic Canada (Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown and Summerside), Central Canada (Quebec – Montreal and Quebec City), Western Canada (Alberta – Calgary) and the North (Northwest Territories – Yellowknife), the itinerary has been developed in such a way as to allow the Royal Couple to meet as many Canadians as possible.

Their Royal Highnesses will come to know Canada and, in the process, develop their own lasting bonds of affection with Canada and Canadians. This has been the case with Her Majesty The Queen for over 60 years, beginning with her first visit as Princess Elizabeth at the age of 25 in 1951.

The Royal Tour itinerary will focus on a unique combination of events that mirror what Canadians have accomplished together (the past), how we define ourselves through active service (the present) and why we will continue to strive to attain other goals and aspirations (the future). In much the same way as the Royal Couple reflect the generational continuity and vitality of the Canadian Crown, the various events of the tour will profile Canadians who:

• have helped build our country: seniors, veterans, and community leaders;
• serve to reinforce our shared values: volunteers, artists, and the military; and
• now prepare for the many challenges and promises of the future: Canada's youth.

The Royal Tour will be an exciting complement to celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, which will take place across Canada throughout the Jubilee year in 2012.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

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

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PM announces destinations for the 2011 Royal Tour of Canada

May 30, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the destinations for the Royal Tour of Canada by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The couple will make seven official stops during their tour of Canada, from June 30 to July 8, 2011.

"Canadians hold The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in very high esteem and look forward to welcoming them as they embark on their first official Royal Tour as newlyweds," said the Prime Minister. "The couple's decision to visit Canada first is a testament to our country's close relationship with the Crown and Royal Family, and an opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions, history, and institutions."

The Prime Minister went on to say: "I am confident that, in coming to know this country and its people better, The Duke and Duchess will develop their own enduring bonds of affection for Canada and Canadians as has been the case with Her Majesty The Queen over sixty years, which began with her own very first tour as Princess Elizabeth at the age of 25 in 1951."

This will be the third time His Royal Highness has toured Canada. His previous ones were in 1991 and 1998. This will be the first tour to Canada for Her Royal Highness.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit:

• The National Capital Region, from June 30 to July 2;
• Montreal, Quebec, on July 2;
• Quebec City, Quebec, on July 3;
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, from July 3 to July 4;
• Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on July 4;
• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from July 4 to July 6; and
• Calgary, Alberta, from July 6 to July 8.

A full itinerary is being developed in collaboration with municipal, provincial, territorial and federal partners, and private organizations, and will be released at a later date.

The theme of the 2011 Royal Tour is "Moving Forward Together: From Past Accomplishments to Current Service to Future Achievements" – thus mirroring the important sense of continuity that is the Canadian Crown itself.

There will be many opportunities for the public to see The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge throughout the Tour. For more information on the 2011 Royal Tour and the Monarchy, please visit: http://www.royaltour.gc.ca/

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

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

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PM announces interim Auditor General of Canada

May 30, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Deputy Auditor General John Wiersema has been appointed to serve as interim Auditor General, effective May 31, 2011. The term of the current Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, ends on May 30, 2011.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I'd like to thank Ms. Fraser for her dedication as Auditor General of Canada," said Prime Minister Harper. "She has made an outstanding contribution in support of Parliamentary decision-making, increased accountability and transparency, and strengthened management of the public service. Ms. Fraser's service to Canada and Canadians exemplifies the very best of public service."

This interim appointment of John Wiersema will ensure that the Office of the Auditor General continues to function effectively until a new Auditor General has been approved by the House of Commons and the Senate.

A thorough national selection process based on published selection criteria is being conducted to select the next Auditor General of Canada. In accordance with the Auditor General Act, the Government is required to consult with the leaders of all recognized parties in the House of Commons and the Senate on its nominee. The nomination is then tabled in Parliament for consideration and approval.

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada was established in 1878 under the Auditor General Act. The Office audits federal government departments and agencies, most Crown corporations, and many other federal organizations, and reports publicly to the House of Commons on matters that the Auditor General believes should be brought to its attention. The Auditor General is also the auditor for the territorial governments and reports directly to their legislative assemblies.

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