Canada to Chair 2017 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

Canada’s Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, will chair the 2017 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM) in Washington, D.C., this October. It will be Canada’s seventh time chairing the meeting since it first did so in 1966.

As the Commonwealth’s third largest economy and member of the G7 and G20, Canada is an influential leader in the global economy. The Government of Canada’s people-first approach to creating long-term growth has received international recognition and complements the theme of this year’s CFMM, which is Advancing Jobs and Resilience through Innovation. Canada’s people-first approach aims to ensure that Canadians have access to the tools, skills and training they need to obtain good, well-paying middle class jobs and success in the new, innovative economy of tomorrow.

‘I am honoured to have been asked by the Commonwealth to chair this important meeting and to lead by example with the Government of Canada’s approach to investing in people and growing the economy over the long term,’ said Minister Morneau. ‘Given this time of rapid global change, it is extremely important for all countries to work closely together to address the various challenges and seize the incredible opportunities. Above all, it is critical that the benefits of the growth we all create together are widely shared by all of our citizens.’

The CFMM will bring together 52 Commonwealth countries to discuss common economic challenges and opportunities.

‘This will be my second Finance Ministers Meeting as Secretary-General and I’m always struck by not only how diverse our Commonwealth family is, but by the potential that exists given the dynamic experience and skills that our countries bring to the table,’ said Patricia Scotland. ‘We represent a third of the world across six regions. We have small and vulnerable states, developed and developing states, and, of course, two, including Canada, which make up the Group of Seven richest nations in the world. When the Commonwealth comes together, it is incredible to witness what we can achieve in terms of collegiate dialogue and cooperation in creating greater prosperity for all of our citizens.’

The CFMM will take place just ahead of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group, scheduled for October 13-15, 2017.

Note to Editors

More details on the precise date and location of the CFMM, as well as the specific topics for discussion, will follow.