Canada's Pavilion at Expo in China

SHANGHAI, CHINA--(Marketwire - Oct. 31, 2010) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today underlined the resounding success of Canada's participation at Expo 2010. Today's closing of Expo 2010 in Shanghai was marked at the Canada Pavilion by a salute to the flag attended by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Canada really shone at the largest international exposition ever held," said Minister Moore. "The Canada Pavilion took top honours at Expo 2010 Shanghai, and all Canadians can be proud of the image it projected of Canada. As well, it presented Canada as a nation that is modern, inclusive, proud of our natural heritage, and eager to strengthen its ties with China."

Since its opening on May 1, the Canada Pavilion has welcomed more than 6 million visitors. The numbers far surpassed the most optimistic predictions and the initial attendance goal of 5 million visitors. With the involvement and imagination of Cirque du Soleil, Canada built a pavilion that showcased the theme "The Living City: inclusive, sustainable, creative." The public presentation invited visitors on a virtual journey where they could experience the energy and vitality of Canadian cities and discover some of Canada's urban best practices.

The Canada Pavilion offered visitors a feeling of life in a vibrant, diverse, and green Canadian city. The pavilion showed 6 million visitors the image of a modern Canada where cultural diversity, technological expertise, and pride in our environment are all assets that make the country an ideal destination for doing business, studying, or travelling.E xpo 2010 gave Canada an opportunity to advance its foreign policy and international trade goals, reinforce diplomatic and cultural ties with China, and strengthen Canada's brand image in China.

For more information about Canada's participation at Expo 2010, visit www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.

Canada participated at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, which closes today (October 31, 2010). With 242 participating countries and organizations and more than 72 million visitors, it was the largest international exposition ever held. Canada's theme at Expo 2010 was "The Living City: inclusive, sustainable, creative," which showcased our country's artistic, cultural, and democratic values and reflected the overall Expo 2010 theme chosen by China: "Better City, Better Life."

Canada's participation at Expo 2010 consisted of several elements. The Canada Pavilion was the focal point. A large portion of the pavilion was devoted to a public presentation; our participation also included a cultural program, a business program, and a culinary program.

The Canada Pavilion

Over the six months of the exposition (May 1 to October 31), the Canada Pavilion welcomed more than 6 million visitors. The numbers far surpassed the most optimistic predictions and the initial attendance goal set by Canada of 5 million visitors. As well, 18,000 Canadians visited the Canada Pavilion, a clear indication of their support of Canada's participation at Expo 2010 Shanghai. The design and structure of the Canada Pavilion reflected Canadian values of inclusivity, sustainability, and creativity. The three-story structure was the product of a partnership between the Government of Canada and Cirque du Soleil, with building expertise from SNC Lavalin.

The Cultural Program

The Cultural Program allowed 165 Canadian artists from the visual, literary and performing arts to showcase their work at the Canada Pavilion and to demonstrate their talent by participating in various events at the Expo 2010 presentation sites.
In all, performing artists gave 63 live performances, including 5 major shows in large venues, featuring several artists together on stage in front of a large audience.

The Business Program – Conference Centre

The Canada Pavilion Conference Centre and Visitors' Lounge welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to its business and networking activities. VIPs included 12 federal ministers, 5 provincial premiers, and 25 mayors from across Canada. About 100 events were held, including the signing of several agreements in principle. For example, on May 16, 2010, Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. (Canada) and Bohai Bank (China) signed a $30-million agreement.

The Culinary Program
Six young chefs from across Canada joined Chef Wayne Murphy and the culinary program at the Canada Pavilion.The young chefs served meals to more than 6,000 visitors to the Canada Pavilion, and enjoyed introducing guests and VIPs to Canadian cuisine.

The Canada Pavilion in the Chinese Media
The Canada Pavilion was ranked one of the most popular pavilions at Expo 2010. The Chinese media praised the Canada Pavilion as the most entertaining, interesting, and "wired" pavilion at Expo 2010.

Awards and Honours

The Shanghai Morning News awarded the Canada Pavilion the Expo Oscar for most environmentally responsible pavilion. SNC Lavalin, the company in charge of the construction of the Canada Pavilion, was named Canada Chinese Business Council "Member of the Year" at an awards ceremony held in Beijing, China, on October 13, 2010. The date also marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and China.

The Expo Organiser magazine and the Chinese financial daily Diyi Caijing Ribao awarded the Canada Pavilion their "Most Commercially Valuable" designation.
(1) In July, the Canada Pavilion was consistently rated one of Expo's "top attractions." In an article entitled Five Expo "Bests," the popular Chinese website www.163.com described the Canada Pavilion as the "friendliest pavilion" in Shanghai.