Isabelle Savard (LLB, University of Montréal, 1992) is from Chicoutimi, Quebec, and was a member of the Quebec Bar from 1993 to 2017. She joined the Government of Canada in 1999 and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2001. She was the director of communications and spokesperson for the minister of foreign affairs (2001 to 2004) and of national defence (2004 to 2005). During her time at Headquarters, she was senior adviser to the assistant deputy minister for bilateral relations (2005 to 2007), director of operations for the associate deputy minister of foreign affairs (2007 to 2008), chief of staff of the Afghanistan Task Force at the Privy Council Office (2008 to 2009) and deputy chief of protocol (2018 to 2019). Her positions overseas include political counsellor in Madrid (2009 to 2013) and Cairo (2014 to 2018). Most recently, she was chargée d'affaires at the Embassy to the Holy See.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment: Isabelle Savard becomes Ambassador to the State of Libya, resident in Tunis, Tunisia. Ms. Savard replaces Hilary Childs-Adams.

Update on COVID-19 vaccine guidance (May 3, 2021)

On May 2, 2021, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, issued the following statement on COVID-19.

Canadian experience has always been valuable toward an application for permanent residence. Recently, it has become even more important. Coronavirus has caused Canada to shut its border to non-essential international travel. Which means, until regular travel resumes, Canada is focusing much of its immigration energies on temporary residents who are already physically present in the […]

The post Make Canadian experience count: Pathways to PR for workers and graduates in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Today, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic faiths in Canada and around the world celebrate Easter

Today marks to beginning of Canada’s 26th annual Emergency Preparedness (EP) week, an opportunity to remind Canadians of the importance of being prepared for any emergency situation that may occur in their local community.

Today is National Physicians' Day – a day to recognize the tireless work of physicians to care for their patients and build a stronger healthcare system.

Canadian provinces issued 3,625 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence last month. Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, operate their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Each province sets its own criteria for selecting eligible foreign workers for Canadian permanent residence under its respective PNP. By having […]

The post An overview of Canada’s PNP immigration results for April 2021 first appeared on CIC News.

On May 1, 2021, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, issued the following statement on COVID-19.

In May, Canadians mark Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

Today marks the beginning of Asian Heritage Month

Today, the Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi, issued the following statement regarding the Royal Assent of Bill C-29

Today, I would like to reiterate some of the key pillars of Budget 2021, and some ways in which Bill C-30 will give concrete help to people in what is still, for far too many Canadians, a time of worry and hardship.

Today, Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, met with a small roundtable of Indigenous women entrepreneurs and partner organizations to discuss the broad challenges women face in establishing and maintaining businesses and investments from Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

Following a meeting with the provinces on April 29, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is putting in motion the steps to suspend international student travel to Ontario. “Premier Ford asked that we suspend the arrival of international students,” Trudeau said. “Because at this time Ontairo is the only province requesting this, we are happy to work […]

The post Canada discussing suspending entry of international students to Ontario first appeared on CIC News.

On April 25, 2021, Health Canada issued a statement regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent inspection of the Emergent BioSolutions facility in Baltimore, Maryland, which noted multiple areas of concern. The Department continues to work with Janssen, AstraZeneca, and the FDA to ensure the facility meets manufacturing standards, and that all vaccine supplies for Canada are of high quality. Since issuing our statement, Health Canada has learned that a drug substance produced at the Emergent site was used in the manufacturing of the initial Janssen vaccines received on April 28 and intended for use in Canada.

Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is sustainable and inclusive of all Canadians.

The Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be lit up in shades of red and gold tonight from sunset until 9:30 p.m. to commemorate Asian Heritage Month.

Today, Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Marc Miller, met with Indigenous partners from Atlantic Canada to discuss Indigenous economic investments from Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: "On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the people of Israel and Jewish community in Canada after the tragedy at the Lag B’Omer festival, which resulted in countless injuries and over 40 deaths, including 2 Canadians.

Thanks to a $9.5-million joint investment made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, 1,020 households in the Mauricie region will have access to high-speed Internet services by September 2022.

Media representatives are invited to a virtual press conference during which the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Minister for Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Isabelle Charest, will make an announcement concerning recreational and sports infrastructure in the region.

Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

Remarks from the Chief Public Health Officer on COVID-19, April 30, 2021