Prime Minister Stephen Harper extends invitation to visit the Canada pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai

December 04, 2009

Canada’s participation will strengthen economic, diplomatic and cultural ties with China

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today visited the site of the Canada Pavilion for Expo 2010 in Shanghai.  Accompanied by Mark H. Rowswell, Commissioner General for Canada at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, the Prime Minister observed the progress on construction of the pavilion.
 
“Expo 2010 will be an opportunity for Canada to build stronger economic, diplomatic and cultural ties with our second largest merchandise trading partner,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “It will provide an exceptional showcase for our country in this growing city, illustrating the dynamic nature of our arts and culture as well as Canadian values.”
 
Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 will revolve around the theme The Living City: Inclusive, Sustainable, Creative, complementing that of Expo 2010, Better City, Better Life.  This reflects Canada’s commitment to providing citizens of all backgrounds with a living space that balances the needs of people and the environment. 
 
“The Canada Pavilion will be stunning.  I invite everyone to come and discover this destination of choice at Expo 2010,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “It will present Canada as the modern, democratic, bilingual, diversified and environmentally responsive country that it is.  A country with successful, sustainable cities that are innovative, creative and prosperous places,” added the Prime Minister.
 
Designed by Cirque du Soleil, the pavilion will reflect our strong and vigorous cities.  SNC-Lavalin broke ground in February 2009, making Canada one of the first countries to start construction on its pavilion for Expo 2010.
 
Canada’s participation will include a spectacular and diversified cultural program that will showcase Canadian artists and performers from a wide range of disciplines.



Backgrounder

CANADA AT THE SHANGHAI WORLD EXPOSITION 2010

Canada will participate in the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010.  More than 240 countries and organizations and about 70 million visitors will be part of what is promising to be the biggest international Expo ever staged.  China’s theme for Expo 2010 is Better City, Better Life. 

Canada is creating a stunning pavilion that is expected to be the jewel of the Expo and an excellent showcase for Canada’s theme, The Living City: Inclusive, Sustainable, Creative.  The Canada Pavilion is expected to welcome more than 5 million visitors over the 184 days of the Expo (some 30,000 each day).  One of our leading engineering and construction groups, SNC-Lavalin Inc., is building the Pavilion on a 6,000 square metre site in the “Americas” section of the Expo on the Pudong side of the Huangpu River.
 
The pavilion exterior will feature Canadian red cedar as well as eco-energy technology and practices to maximize the efficiency of the building.  Strategies used to create an eco-energetic envelope include sun-breakers (louvers), a white roof membrane and green walls to reduce urban heat islands.  Furthermore, eco-energetic strategies are used for plumbing system and lighting.
 
Canada will offer a vibrant cultural program at Expo 2010 that will create a favourable, lasting impression of Canada.  Working closely with Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts, Cirque du Soleil is now finalizing plans to showcase artists and performers from across the country in a wide range of artistic disciplines.
 
Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 is coordinated in partnership with the public and private sectors.  A partnerships and trade events program will provide an opportunity for participants from all levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal) to participate in targeted programming in the Conference Centre and Visitor Lounge of the Pavilion.  The program will advance Canadian interests with Chinese partners, clients and decision-makers and will include business development and investment events.
 
Expo 2010 will allow Canada to advance its foreign and trade policy goals, strengthen economic, diplomatic and cultural ties with China and shape and strengthen Canada's brand in China.
 
On May 13, 2009, in Shanghai, Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the appointment of Mark Rowswell as Canada’s Commissioner General for Shanghai Expo 2010.   Mr. Rowswell, also known as “Dashan”, is a well-recognized personality in China, where he has worked as a performer, television host and unofficial cultural ambassador for over 20 years.  He was appointed to the Order of Canada in December 2008 for his role in building bridges between Canada and China.
 
The Government of Canada was among the first to accept the Government of China’s invitation to participate in Expo 2010.  The total cost of Canada’s participation in the 2010 World Exposition is up to $58 million.  A portion of the costs are expected to be offset through corporate alliances and revenue generated through the operation of a restaurant and gift shop at the pavilion.  Participation of provinces and territories is also being solicited.  In addition to the Canada Pavilion, Montreal and Vancouver will have exhibits in the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) of the Expo 2010 site.  Montreal’s exhibit, Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, will show how the city turned an area once used as a quarry and landfill site into an environmental complex and the city's largest park.  Vancouver's exhibit, entitled Liveability and Sustainability: from World Fair 1986 to 2010 Olympics will showcase the urban best practices involved in transforming the Expo 86 site and  the 2010 Winter Olympics Athletes' Village in False Creek into leading models of sustainability in North America.
 
For more information on Canada’s participation in Expo 2010, visit http://www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.