As foreign ministers from some of the world\u2019s leading democracies met in Niagara-on-the-Lake this week, local officials said the gathering gave Canada an important chance to press for the release of jailed publisher Jimmy Lai.<\/p>\n
The G7 \u2014 a coalition of major democratic nations including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan \u2014 meets throughout the year, along with the European Union and other invited partners, to discuss global economic issues, security concerns and other international challenges.<\/p>\n
During the press conference for Canada, The Lake Report asked the country\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, whether foreign ministers will be pressing China about Hong Kong\u2019s national security law and pushing for the release of Jimmy Lai in a unified voice.<\/p>\n
She said at the meetings, ministers sought a unified position on core issues \u201cfrom Sudan to Haiti to the Middle East to Ukraine,\u201d calling them \u201cthe main topics\u201d of discussion \u2014 and the G7 joint statement made no mention of Hong Kong\u2019s national security law or Lai\u2019s release.<\/p>\n
Anand did not clarify whether Canada would press its G7 partners on the law or Lai\u2019s release in the future, but said she would continue raising the issue on her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have raised this case at every opportunity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMedia freedom remains an important part of the democratic process. It\u2019s essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lake Report also asked whether any representatives from her team were present to support the rally for him held in NOTL on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur schedule is extremely compressed,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, to my knowledge, the ministers who are invited to this meeting were in the room for the sessions that we have held.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussions spanned over the two days, Nov. 11 and Nov. 12, and carried global weight \u2014 but the event also marked a proud moment locally.<\/p>\n
Ashley Brown, director of brand and creative strategy at White Oaks Resort and Spa, which hosted the foreign ministers, said the team was \u201cdeeply honoured\u201d to welcome such a prestigious event to NOTL.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn preparation, our team worked closely with Global Affairs Canada through a series of meetings to ensure every requirement for the G7 foreign ministers\u2019 meeting was fully understood and met,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Brown said open communication with Global Affairs Canada allowed the resort to plan and carry out the event smoothly \u201cfrom start to finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are immensely proud of our team,\u201d she said, adding that \u201ctheir hard work, professionalism and dedication\u201d made the event a success.<\/p>\n
The timing of the G7 foreign ministers\u2019 meeting was \u201cvery fruitful,\u201d said NOTL Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa in an interview.<\/p>\n
These meetings make way for productive international conversations about such issues, said Zalepa. If not talked about directly, \u201cit may come up through other conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tony Baldinelli, Conservative MP for Niagara Falls\u2013Niagara-on-the-Lake, agreed. Before the event, he said these meetings offered \u201ca perfect opportunity\u201d to highlight Lai\u2019s case.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my hope that they will champion the cause,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n