It was called PAR, public administration reform. It was a study of how one could improve the mechanisms of public administration in Russia. It was a commitment made by Prime Minister Chrétien at a meeting with Putin some years earlier, I guess in the early 2000s. The intention was to work public servant to public servant and give the public servants in Russia some direct contact and understanding of how the public service works in Canada.
On June 14th, 2007. See this statement in context.