Notes for an Address to the 16^th Parliamentary Dinner of the Canada-Israel Committee

March 29, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Ambassador Sultan, Minister Peres.

It is a great pleasure to be here. The Canada-Israel Committee has taken a leadership role in nurturing the deep and abiding friendship between Canada and Israel. Building on our unbreakable bonds of family, history and shared values. Broadening the scope for new partnerships. Promoting dialogue and understanding. Above all, working to ensure that Canadians understand the unique and complex challenges facing the Middle East. I congratulate you on your efforts.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have just embarked on a new century. One that Canadians anticipate with our trademark hope and optimism. One that finds Canada and Israel united in hope and optimism about the future of the Middle East. About the prospects for a just, durable and comprehensive peace. And I know that Canada and Israel are unified also in a vision of peace that is achieved with dignity. Where there are no winners and no losers. A peace with dignity for all.

Canadians have looked on with admiration as Prime Minister Barak, with vision and tenacity, has pursued peace with the Palestinians and with Syria. He has bravely charted a course against those who are more comfortable with old problems than new solutions. He has joined those, on all sides, who, with courage and fortitude, have put aside ancient grievances. And have answered the cries of people throughout the region for an end to the suffering and bloodshed.

Canada is pleased that Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have begun again in Washington. We welcome the recent confirmation of the Prime Minister's plans to withdraw Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon.

And we are mindful of the boldness of this choice given the security situation in northern Israel. The people of Israel know, all too well, that a peace based on fear is no peace at all. The security of Israel is foremost among the concerns of Canada. Like Israel, we long for the day when her children can run and play without the shadow of death hanging over them. And we seek agreements that ensure the right of Israel to exist within secure borders.

We are mindful that talks with Syria have not yet produced the outcome we all hope for. But we know that Israel will persevere.

Canada is ready to help where we can to move the peace process forward. Where and when the parties in the region think best.

Over the decades, Canadian soldiers have made a substantial contribution to peacekeeping in the Middle East. Canadians have been on duty in the Sinai and on the Golan Heights for more than 25 years. Should the parties wish, we will continue to help in any new peace arrangement requiring an international presence between Israel and Syria.

We have recognized expertise in de-mining. We stand ready to help return land to productive use and purpose. Even now, we are supporting a joint mine clearance project in the Jordan valley. Through our chairmanship of the Refugee Working Group, we will continue to work with the regional parties to assist them in achieving a just resolution to the refugee issue.

Minister Peres. I am honoured to share this podium with you. Nobel Prize Winner. Former Prime Minister. Legendary statesman. Soldier for peace. You, above all leaders in the Middle East, have had the wisdom to understand that formal peace agreements do not mark the end of the journey. But, in many ways, just the beginning. That the real hard work begins after the signing ceremonies are over.

The establishment of the Peres Centre for Peace gives full expression to your vision of a Middle East that enjoys shared economic prosperity, stability and peace. The current activities of the Centre are essential to the process of opening dialogue and building understanding and reconciliation among the people of the Middle East.

With your inspiration as our guide, Canada will continue our efforts at broadening contacts among peoples in the region. Whether in the context of the peace process, or to help build regional dialogue at all levels.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new century also finds the Canada-Israel partnership blossoming in exciting new ways. Thanks to many here tonight, our economic relationship is booming.

The signing of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement in 1997 has ushered in a new era of trade. It has given our entrepreneurs the tools they need to do business together. It has boosted two-way trade dramatically. Canadian exports to Israel increased more than 24% last year alone. We now import more than $400 million dollars worth of Israeli goods each year. And I have no doubt that, with continued energy and drive, our two-way trade will soon exceed $1 billion dollars per year. Our economic ties are also highly diverse. Our trade is no longer confined to goods. It now covers joint ventures, strategic alliances and profitable partnerships.

Canada and Israel are also convinced free traders. We practice what we preach. To date, Israel has achieved 8 free trade agreements. The most recent with our NAFTA partner, Mexico. These have allowed Israel to have privileged access to many foreign markets. And as a result of our economic ties with Israel, Canadian firms and their Israeli partners are working together to penetrate other markets. In the EU and beyond.

Investment, too, is flourishing. Canadian and Israeli firms continue to look to each other for dynamic partners. Indeed, earlier this month, Amdocs purchased the Canadian start-up Solect for more than $1 billion. And Creo Products of Vancouver recently merged with Scitex of Israel, investing some $700 million in computer graphics.

While governments can play a role in encouraging trade, it is clearly the business community that leads the way. That is why I am pleased to announce that, with the cooperation and equal financial participation of the Government of Israel, our government will continue to fund the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation for another five years.

This Foundation owes its existence to the vision and foresight of Shimon Peres. And it has been a winner for both of our nations. Bringing together small and medium-sized firms to jointly explore opportunities in high-technology. On projects that combine our know-how to develop innovative, new products or methods. With successful projects paying royalties back to the Foundation. Since it was launched five years ago, nearly 30 projects have been approved, with a total investment of about $10 million dollars.

A typical success story involves Fibronics Ltd of Haifa, and PlainTree Systems, located nearby in Stittsville. They combined their established strengths in the development of Local Area Networks. And the support of the Foundation has already yielded close to $100,000 in royalties. I would like to congratulate the Board of Directors of the Foundation and its Management Team for the excellent work they have done over the past five years.

With the encouragement of Palestinians and Israelis, we are looking at ways of creating trilateral partnerships through the Foundation.

It is to develop such partnerships, renew special ties, and to hear for myself how Canadians can best contribute to the momentum for peace, that I will travel to the Middle East next month.

A journey that begins in Israel. Where I will meet with Prime Minister Barak again and President Weizman. The Prime Minister and I had an excellent discussion on a wide range of issues last November at the OSCE Conference in Istanbul. I will use this opportunity to stress Canada's abiding commitment to the search for peace and to those working for peace.

I will pay solemn homage to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem. And, Minister Peres, I will bring the respects of all Canadians to the grave of your fallen partner in peace, Yitzhak Rabin. I will also meet with the President of the Supreme Court to discuss a matter close to my heart, the Canadian Charter of Rights. As you know, Israel looks upon our Charter as a model. And I am delighted that Irwin Cotler will be joining me.

Many of you are alumni of the Hebrew University. Which is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year and has played a fundamental part in the development of Israel. In a very special honour, Hebrew University will confer on me an honorary doctorate.

During my stay in the region, I will also be meeting with leaders in the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. At each stop, I will urge that this crucial opportunity in the peace process be seized. Time is short. And I will explore ways that Canada can be of assistance.

Ladies and gentlemen. The motto of the Canada Israel Committee says it all. "Two Special Countries. One Special Friendship." That is why this evening is, in many ways, the first stop on my Middle East trip.

For over 50 years, Israel and Canada have been close friends and partners. As we begin the new century, let us reflect with pride on what we have achieved together. And let us move ahead, with hope and optimism, into a future where anything is possible.

It has been said that the future is not a matter of chance, but of choice. In the presence of Shimon Peres, let us now drink a toast to the shared future of the people of the Middle East. And to the sweetest word in any language.

To Peace! Shalom!