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Statement by the Prime Minister on World Press Freedom Day

May 3, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Press Freedom Day:

“Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the important work journalists do around the world to promote and protect democracy. We also take a hard look at the current state of press freedom, and remember those who have lost their lives in defence of facts, uncovering truth and shining light on stories that would otherwise not be told.

“This year’s theme ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice, and the Rule of Law,’ highlights the importance of having an open and transparent environment – safeguarded by an independent judiciary – that protects freedom of the press. It also underlines the role that media play as champions of accountability and the rule of law.

“While in Canada we recognize freedom of the press as a fundamental freedom, many journalists working in other areas around the world face threats and dangers in their mission to inform the public. The arrest of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, in Myanmar last December is a vivid reminder of the ongoing need to advocate for a strong and free press as the cornerstone of any healthy democracy.

“Canada will always defend journalistic freedom and stand against any violence, intimidation, censorship, and false arrests used to silence journalists. From international broadcasters that bring the world into our homes, to local newspapers that empower us to shape the communities we live in – we know that a free press helps build stronger and healthier societies.

“On behalf of Canadians, I thank all the journalists in this country and around the world who seek out truth, unravel fact from fiction, bring clarity and fairness to public debate, and encourage us to open ourselves to new perspectives.”

Prime Minister announces closer collaboration with Portugal

May 3, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today met with the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, to reaffirm the strong ties between Canada and Portugal, and to discuss the benefits of progressive trade and how the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is helping create good, middle class jobs and new opportunities for people on both sides of the Atlantic.

In a joint statement released after their meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Costa committed to further deepen the Canada-Portugal relationship through a new arrangement on youth mobility. This new collaboration, which provides greater opportunities for engagement and exchange, will help Canadian and Portuguese young people gain international experience – an increasingly important skill in today’s economy – as well as a better understanding of each other’s cultures, languages, and societies. Additionally, the two leaders announced that Canada and Portugal will sign a modernized agreement on social security, and a memorandum of understanding on aeronautical search and rescue operations.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Costa also underlined our countries’ common commitment to NATO and to peacekeeping, including the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. They discussed shared approaches to some of the most pressing global issues, and the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including on promoting gender equality, protecting the world’s oceans, addressing climate change, and building economies that work for everyone.

Quote

“Canada and Portugal know that free and open trade builds our economies, creates good, middle class jobs, and drives growth that works for everyone. Nearly half a million people of Portuguese descent call Canada home, and make invaluable contributions to our country every day. Promoting youth mobility between our countries will deepen these strong people-to-people bonds and help more young people gain international experience as they prepare for the jobs of the future.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• This is the first formal meeting between Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Costa.
• Canada is home to a vibrant community of over 480,000 Canadians of Portuguese origin.
• Canada and Portugal enjoy a strong relationship, founded on common values, deep and significant people-to-people bonds, and mutually beneficial commercial relations. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Portugal totalled nearly $848 million in 2017, with Canadian exports valued at $270 million.
• On September 21, 2017, the provisional application of CETA took effect. CETA provides new opportunities for Canadian and Portuguese businesses, and will enhance trade and investment in both countries.
• CETA will provide Canadian businesses with greater access to the world's largest integrated market, with over 510 million consumers and a GDP of $22 trillion, and will help eliminate barriers in virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU bilateral trade.
• Portugal ratified CETA at the national level on December 21, 2017.

Associated Link

• Canada-Portugal Statement on Enhanced Cooperation

Itinerary for Friday, May 4, 2018

May 3, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario

Note: All times local

Toronto, Ontario

10:45 a.m. The Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, will attend the Economic Club of Canada summit entitled “Canada-Portugal Economic Relations: Maximizing the Benefits of CETA.”

Ballroom
Marriott Eaton Downtown Centre Hotel
525 Bay Street

Notes for media:

• Open coverage of remarks
• Media are asked to arrive no later than 10 a.m. and to register in the Simcoe Room upon arrival

12:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will host an official lunch for the Prime Minister of Portugal and deliver remarks.

The Carlu
444 Yonge Street

Notes for media:

• Open coverage of remarks
• Media are asked to arrive no later than 12 p.m. and to register upon arrival

Cambridge, Ontario

3:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will make an announcement at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) North Plant with the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne. A media availability will follow.

Plastics Shop
TMMC North Plant
1055 Fountain Street North

Notes for media:

• Pooled photo opportunity in the stitching shop at 3:30 p.m.
• Open coverage of announcement and media availability at 3:45 p.m.
• Media are asked to arrive no later than 2:15 p.m. and to register with Suzanne.Baal@toyota.com by 11 a.m. to ensure space on shuttle busses. Any networks wishing to send a satellite truck must also register.
• Media are asked to follow signs on Fountain Street to gate 2, to park in the visitor’s parking lot, and proceed to the guard house (white building, blue roof at entrance). Media must check in with security.

Toronto, Ontario

6:45 p.m. The Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Portugal will attend a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Portugal in coordination with LiUNA Local 183.

Gerry Gallagher Hall
LiUNA Local 183
1263 Wilson Avenue, unit #200

Notes for media:

• Open coverage of remarks
• Media are asked to arrive no later than 6 p.m. and to register upon arrival