Mr. Speaker, subsequent to its tabling on December 9, 2009, by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is my privilege, on behalf of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Government of Canada, to table Order in Council P.C. 2010-556, authorizing the entry into force of the agreement on social security between Canada and the Republic of Macedonia.
The agreement between Canada and Macedonia will make it possible to coordinate pension benefits between the two countries. Under this agreement, Macedonia will pay social security benefits to eligible people living in Canada.
The agreement covers benefits for some of the most vulnerable groups in Canadian and Macedonian societies, including seniors, disabled individuals, surviving spouses and dependent children for whom income security is often tenuous. With this agreement, we are ensuring that hard-working Macedonians and Canadians receive the social security benefits that they have earned.