Canada and Canada-USA Relations to be Focus of Series of Events on UW–Madison Campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Thursday, January 19, 2006 CONTACT: Ronnie Hess, Director of Communications, Division of International Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison, rlhess@wisc.edu, (608) 262-5590 CANADA AND CANADA-USA RELATIONS TO BE FOCUS OF SERIES OF EVENTS ON UW-MADISON CAMPUS Madison, WI – Canada, the world’s second-largest country in total area, and Wisconsin’s most important international trading partner, will be the focus of a series of talks and a film, February 1 and 2, 2006 on the UW–Madison campus. The events, which are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted, are sponsored by the Government of Canada, the Division of International Studies, the Department of Geography, and the Professional French Masters Program. Among the highlights:

• A discussion of the implications of the January 23 Canadian federal election, featuring Jeffrey Simpson, one of Canada’s most powerful political commentators
• A screening of The Peacekeepers, a 2005 National Film Board of Canada film by Paul Cowan. Post-screening discussion with the filmmaker

Canada’s consul general in Chicago, Anne Charles, will be on campus during the events, which are listed below.

Wednesday, February 1, at 2:30 p.m. ” The January 23 Canadian Elections: Why Americans Should Care” Keynote address by Canadian journalist and author Jeffrey Simpson Room 206 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Dr. Jeffrey Simpson is one of Canada’s foremost political commentators. As The Globe and Mail’s national affairs columnist since 1984, he is an informed and compelling voice on domestic and international issues. The January elections could result in a major political shift in leadership in Canada.

Thursday, February 2, 12:00-1:00 PM Canadian Studies Grant Information Session Room 260 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive Information session for faculty and graduate students only. Sponsored by the Consulate of Canada. Reservations required. Call (312) 327-3615 or email tracy.klos@international.gc.ca XXX