Address by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Closing Ceremony of the Summit of the Americas 2001 Address by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Closing Ceremony of the Summit of the Americas 2001

April 22, 2001

Quebec City, Quebec

Now that this third Summit of the Americas is drawing to a close, I first wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the people of Quebec City on behalf of all our fellow Canadians and all my counterparts in the hemisphere, for the warm, and above all patient, reception we have received. Holding a summit of this size is no mean feat for the host city, and Quebec City has taken up this challenge with all of its customary know-how and graciousness.

My friends, when the curtain descended on our second Summit three years ago in Santiago, Chile, our host heralded the start of a new era in the Americas–an era marked by maturity and confidence. The experience of the past few years, and especially of the past few days, has proven just how accurate he was in his prediction.

We have gathered here as representatives of a community of democratic countries to extend and deepen the dialogue begun nearly seven years ago in Miami. We have had some frank discussions on a host of subjects of importance for the future of our hemisphere. And we have adopted an action plan to give substance to our common priorities.

The Declaration we have just signed contains a clear, unequivocal commitment to democracy, making it an essential condition for participation in the Summit of the Americas process. This gesture clearly and eloquently illustrates our intention to ensure the protection of human rights and to move ahead together in freedom and stability.

We also noted that in some countries democracy remains fragile. The case of Haiti drew our particular attention. We acknowledge the problems that continue to limit the democratic, political, economic and social development of this country.

We note the efforts that President Aristide has made to resolve these problems. We are also aware of the efforts of other political parties and other sectors of political life, notably members of civil society.

We call on all parties to redouble their efforts, in a spirit of openness and conciliation, to overcome the difficulties caused by the election of May 21, 2000. And we ask President Aristide to take rapid action on all of the commitments made in December.

To facilite the achievement of these goals, we have asked the Secretary General of the OAS, César Gaviria, to work with CARICOM, to hold consultations, to visit Port-au-Prince in the near future, to report his findings to the OAS before the next General Assembly, and to ensure adequate follow-up.

Our efforts to strengthen democracy and promote prosperity must be accompanied by measures that expand and encourage participation by all citizens. In the social, political and economic life of their nations and of our region.

We want to make sure that each citizen has an equal opportunity to live in dignity, to fulfil their full potential and to contribute to the development of society. This applies especially to those in our societies who have, too often, been marginalized or left out. Among them: youth, seniors, women and people with disabilities. It also applies to the indigenous peoples of the hemisphere, whose unique situation must be recognized by governments.

With this in mind, our action plan includes a recognition that we must continue to invest so as to provide our people with equitable access to quality education and health care.

We have also adopted a Declaration on Connectivity. It outlines how we plan to use information and communications technologies to facilitate contacts among people, promote participation in democratic institutions, create new economic opportunities, and deliver government services.

And I am pleased to announce today that, as a major contribution to fulfilling the goals of the 2001 Summit of the Americas, Canada will create the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas.

The Institute will build on the success of Canada's Connecting Canadians strategy as well as international experience

We have made an unprecedented effort to make sufficient resources available to achieve the objectives that we have identified in our action plan. And we must continue to work with the multilateral development banks, other international, regional and sub-regional institutions, the private sector and civil society to fulfil our vision for the Americas.

This will allow us, the next time we meet, to look back on an even more impressive record of achievement.

This leads me to one final question. During our meeting we formally accepted the generous offer of Argentina to host the next Summit of the Americas. I am delighted to pass the Summit torch to Argentina. A nation with which Canada, and all the members of La Gran Familia of the Americas, have excellent relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to close the Third Summit of the Americas.

As we leave, I want to say how much I look forward to seeing you in great numbers this coming September in New York when the United Nations convenes a Special Session on Children. A session that will give us a chance to reaffirm our commitment to meet the needs of our children.

And that will, I hope, attract the active interest of La Gran Familia of the Americas.

My friends, for both Aline and I, and for all Canadians, it has been an honour to welcome you and to give you a taste of the many charms of our country.

Today, we begin a new era in hemispheric cooperation. The maturity and confidence we showed in 1998 has been enriched with unity and solidarity.

Such common purpose is a precious asset. An asset that we must use, from this day forward, to fulfill the hopes and dreams of the people of the Americas.