Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Lilly Nicholls on Monday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed various issues relating to Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and human rights situation. Nicholls arrived at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 1:30pm and had a 'closed-door' meeting there with a BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul. BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were present at the meeting that ended around 3:10pm.  Read more: BNP gears up for its 7th divisional rally in Sylhet Later, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters about the meeting and subjects they discussed. “We had a very good discussion. We talked about all issues relating to Bangladesh’s present perspective, especially, human rights, our elections, and the rule of law and security of public life,” he said. Khosru said Canada attaches great importance to human rights, democratic rights, security of public life, the rule of law, and good governance. “Canada and some other countries always take a strong stance on these issues.” He said Canada has been bilaterally telling the Bangladesh government at different times that human rights have been violated here in the country. Like the people of Bangladesh, democratic countries, multilateral bodies, and human rights organisations all over the world, Canada is also concerned over many issues since it gives importance to democracy and human rights.   Asked what Canada said about the next polls, Khosru said he cannot elaborate on what they discussed inside. “We’ve discussed all the issues relating to Bangladesh’s current political perspective. But there is no scope to say elaborately what we discussed.” He said BNP has no reason to go to the next polls under the current government and BNP is strict on this stance. Read more: BNP ready to deliver its message in AL's backyard He said a caretaker government must be established ousting the current government for ensuring a credible election where people will be able to freely exercise their voting rights. “We’re least bothered about what Awami League, the Election Commission and others, say about the next polls.” Khosru said Bangladesh and Canada have long been maintaining diversified relations. He said Bangladesh exports goods worth about $2 billion to Canada as the country gave Bangladesh duty-free market access to Canada, for most goods, in 2003. “This facility was given during the BNP government and as the then commerce minister I negotiated it with Canada.” Besides, the BNP leader said Canada is also an important destination for Bangladesh to import many essential food items, including wheat, and pulses.  ”Canada has also now become a popular destination for our children for studies.” A good number of Bangladeshis have been living in Canada and they are contributing to that country’s economy and society."

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said the government will provide all necessary support to the Election Commission (EC) in holding a free and fair election. “I have clearly said that the Bangladesh government enacted a law for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. The responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct fair elections and the government will provide all necessary assistance,” he said.  Read more: BNP MPs ready to resign; Govt must go for credible election: Fakhrul The minister said this replying to questions from journalists after a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls. The envoy paid a call on the minister at the Secretariat today. The Hasina-led government is committed to holding fair elections, Anisul added. It is up to EC whether it will allow observers in national poll The law minister said he told the Canadian envoy that it is up to the EC whether it will allow observers in the next national election. During the visit, Nicholls wanted to know whether they can send observers to oversee the next election, They also discussed the Digital Security Act and the Data Protection Act. “They did not say anything about the Digital Security Act. I informed them about it as this issue is being widely discussed,” said the minister. Read more: Govt won’t send Khaleda back to jail before election: Law Minister Regarding the proposed Data Protection Act, the minister said already a meeting was held with the stakeholders. There will be two to three more meetings. “It will not be for data control, it will be for protection.” During the visit they discussed 50 years of friendship between the two nations, areas of mutual cooperation, importance of freedom of expression in democratic societies.

New Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls has expressed her happiness after being welcomed with Bangladeshi sweets upon her arrival here. "I am so pleased to have arrived in Dhaka to lead the Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh. And so happy to be welcomed with delicious Bangladeshi sweets!" she tweeted Wednesday. Read: It’s done to alert, not to punish: US envoy about sanctions

Bangladesh has completed all the preparations for Dhaka-Toronto direct flights, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali. The state minister said this in a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday. “All kinds of cooperation from the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka in operating the Dhaka-Toronto flight is highly needed,” Mahbub Ali said. Read: Mechanical glitch: Biman flight makes emergency landing in Chattagram The Canadian High Commissioner said the Dhaka-Toronto direct flight link will enhance all kinds of trade relations between Bangladesh and France. “We hope to launch the Dhaka-Toronto flight soon.” He also said the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka is ready to extend all sorts of cooperation in this regard. Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, Additional Secretary Jananendra Nath Sarkar and Commercial Counselor of the Canadian High Commission Angelina Dark were present at the event.

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine has called for collective voice and actions at all levels possible to help bring about positive change ending gender-based violence globally.