Holiday message from the Ambassador
The Ambassador of France to Canada, Mr. Nicolas Chapuis, sends his best wishes for the holiday season.
To my dear compatriots and Canadian friends:
The Embassy of France to Canada sends its best wishes for the New Year.
The year 2015 was marked by dramatic events in Paris that had profound effects on all of us: in January, the disgusting attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists galvanized a public movement in support of protection for freedom of expression, and on November 13th, the blind slaughter for which Daesh claimed credit failed to shake our determination to stand together against barbarism. The exceptional solidarity expressed across Canada over the past few weeks has been a source of comfort and encouragement. I would like to express my profound gratitude in this regard once more. These trials have transformed our country and our capital into universal symbols of the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which are symbolically enshrined on our tricolour flag.
But 2015 has also been an exceptional year for French diplomacy. In particular, on December 12th, in Paris, we presided over the establishment of a global climate agreement at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference. I would like to take a moment to recognize the contributions of Canadian delegation, who facilitated negotiations and supported our ambitions to produce an ambitious, equitable, and binding universal agreement in order to stop climate change while there is still time. There as well, Canada made its solidarity felt in a manner befitting our shared history.
In 2016, we will do our utmost to realize the full potential of this intention to combine our efforts as we address major international issues. During their meeting in Paris on November 29th, the President of the Republic of France and the Prime Minister of Canada agreed to work together with this goal in mind and called for greater ties between our two countries in all respects. The French Prime Minister stated that he would conduct an official visit to Canada in 2016.
For French nationals in Canada, in their ever-growing numbers, 2016 will bring a slight improvement to the services that our five consulates general provide, thanks to the modernization and simplification of administrative procedures. Our community is dynamic and enterprising. Often on the cutting edge of research and innovation, this community projects the image of a modern France that is both firmly committed to the new century and profoundly attached to the friendship that bonds it to Canada.
To all of you, the people of France and Canada alike: I wish you professional success and personal happiness.
Nicolas Chapuis
Ambassador of France to Canada