LAHORE: Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Perry Calderwood met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday to discuss matters of mutual interests. Talking to the Canadian high commissioner, the chief minister said that there are deep-rooted friendly relations between Pakistan and Canada, adding that Pakistanis living in Canada are playing an important role in strengthening of the country’s economy through sending foreign exchange. He said that there is a need to take solid steps for promotion of trade and economic relations between the two countries as well as to implement projects in education, health and electricity especially hydro energy. He said that there should be maximum exchange of trade delegations between Pakistan and Canada, claiming that the Punjab government has taken revolutionary measures for the uplift of education, health and transport sectors. He said that teachers training and provision of educational facilities to the new generation is the priority of the government, adding that thousands of teachers have been recruited in the province purely on merit. He said that Punjab government has promoted the culture of merit, transparency and high standard at every level. The CM said facilities of higher education are being available to more than 0.15 million poor but talented students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund. Shahbaz said that millions of students have been enrolled in schools through voucher scheme of PEF, adding that the provincial government considers provision of resources for empowerment of young generation as a useful investment. Shahbaz said thousands of laptops worth billions have been distributed among talented students on merit basis. Similarly, he added, children of labourers working in brick kilns have been enrolled in schools by providing them scholarships. “More than 70,000 children have been given admission in schools and these children have also been provided uniforms, books, bags and other items by Punjab government,” he highlighted. The chief minister said that the cruel system of mortgaging future of the nation for a petty amount cannot be tolerated, therefore Punjab government has evolved the programme of elimination of child labour from workshops, petrol pumps and hotels. “There is a need for promotion of trade activities between Canada and Pakistan, especially Punjab, besides cooperation in different sectors, and both the countries should make efforts in this regard. Shahbaz said that a highly conducive atmosphere for investment has been created in Punjab and Canadian investors can benefit from investment opportunities in the province. The Canadian high commissioner on the occasion said that Punjab is very important province and a partner of Canada, adding that Punjab and Canada should promote trade and economic relations for moving forward. He said that Canada wants to promote cooperation with Punjab government in different sectors. Honorary Consul of Canada in Lahore Syed Yawar Ali was present in the meeting.