Prime Minister Stephen Harper will travel to New Zealand and Australia from November 13 to 16, 2014

Toronto: Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to New Zealand and Australia, from November 13 to 16, 2014. He will be accompanied by Joe Oliver, Minister of Finance.

During his first official visit to New Zealand (November 13-14), Prime Minister Harper will meet with Lieutenant General the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, the Governor-General of New Zealand, and Prime Minister John Key. The Prime Ministers will discuss the bilateral relationship, as well as international security issues.

Prime Minister Harper will then join leaders at the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane, Australia (November 15-16). As this year’s host, Australia has anchored the G-20’s work in the development of comprehensive national growth strategies to address continuing global economic concerns. As such, leaders are expected to discuss coordinated measures designed to lift economic growth, bolster financial institutions, strengthen the global economy, and create jobs.

On the margins of the Summit, Prime Minister Harper will hold bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other G-20 leaders with a view to advancing key issues of domestic and global importance.

Quick Facts

• New Zealand is an important like-minded partner for Canada on a broad range of issues, including security and defence, migrant smuggling, international trade, counter-terrorism, landmines, environment peace support operations, human rights, indigenous issues, the governance of international fisheries and oceans, as well as education and culture.
• New Zealand is identified as an established market and a priority in the 2013 Global Markets Action Plan. Bilateral merchandise trade between the countries totalled $909 million in 2013.
• Together, the members of the G-20 account for more than 85 per cent of the world’s economy and two thirds of the world’s population, making the G-20 the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
• For the last six years, the G-20 has played a significant role in mitigating the adverse effects of the financial and economic crisis that was felt across the globe in 2008.
• As this year’s host, Australia has selected two central themes for the 2014 G-20 Summit: promoting stronger economic growth and employment outcomes, and making the global economy more resilient to deal with future shocks.

Quotes

“Canadians feel a natural affinity with New Zealand. The two countries share common values and a healthy trade and commercial relationship, and collaborate on a wide range of regional and global issues. I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister John Key to build upon this already fruitful relationship, and to discuss matters of mutual importance, including security and defence, international trade and counter-terrorism.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“I look forward to working with G-20 partners on ways of further strengthening the global economy in today’s turbulent international environment. I also look forward to sharing with my colleagues how our Government has used short-term stimulus spending, fiscal discipline and one of the most ambitious free trade agendas in our history to balance our budgets and position Canada for economic success.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper