Statement by the Prime Minister on the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle
May 19, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle:
“Today, Canadians joined in celebration as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
“To celebrate their union, Canada will donate $50,000 to Jumpstart, a Canadian charity dedicated to making play and sports more accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since 2005, Jumpstart has helped more than 1.6 million children of all abilities get out on the field and be part of a team.
“Sophie and I congratulate the newlyweds on behalf of the Government of Canada. We wish Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a lifetime of happiness, and all the best as they start this new chapter together. We look forward to welcoming them on a future visit to Canada.”
Itinerary for Saturday, May 19, 2018
May 19, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
Note: All times local
Vermont, U.S.
Personal
Prime Minister concludes visit to the United States
May 18, 2018
Boston, United States
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his visit to the United States, which included stops in New York City and Boston.
During his visit, the Prime Minister met with several business leaders to underscore the importance of the Canada-U.S. partnership, promote Canada as one of the best places to invest, and create more jobs for Canada’s middle class.
In New York City, the Prime Minister addressed graduates at New York University’s 186th commencement ceremony. During his remarks, he encouraged graduates to embrace diversity, including diversity of opinion, and stressed that the leadership we need most today is leadership that brings people together. He also met with Canadian graduating students and was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree.
At the Economic Club of New York, the Prime Minister participated in an armchair discussion and underscored how the Canada-U.S. partnership creates good, middle class jobs on both sides of the border, and that Canada is open for business and an outstanding place to invest.
In Boston, he took part in a roundtable discussion with members of the Canadian Technology Accelerator Boston-Cambridge, where research and innovation were at the forefront of discussions.
On the last day of his visit, the Prime Minister participated in the annual Solve at MIT meeting, an event that brings together hundreds of leaders and innovators from various fields, to explore groundbreaking solutions to global challenges. He then visited the MIT Media Lab and Innovation Exhibition for a first-hand account of the innovative research and technological advances that are defining the future.
Quotes
"Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to meet with inspiring graduates and business leaders who are finding solutions to age-old problems and shaping our future in ways we couldn’t have imagined even five years ago. We talked about the importance of collaboration and how Canada and the United States can bring innovators together to create more opportunities for Canadians and Americans alike.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
"Canada leads the G7 in economic growth, and has become a top destination for businesses to create jobs, invest, and grow. We will continue to make bold investments in innovation and skills training, and secure Canada’s place as a centre of global innovation, where the next generation of technologies and businesses thrive.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau last visited the United States in February 2018.
- During the visit to New York City and Boston, the Prime Minister met with the senior corporate leadership of the following companies: Honeywell, AppNexus, PepsiCo, WeWork, Wayfair and Etsy.
- Wayfair announced today that it will open its first Canadian warehouse, creating 200 jobs in Mississauga, Ontario.
- Etsy announced on Thursday that it will open an artificial intelligence centre in Toronto, Ontario. This will be company’s third centre and first in Canada. The other two centres are located in San Francisco and at Etsy’s headquarters in Brooklyn.
- Canada and the United States share one of the largest trading relationships in the world. Bilateral trade in goods and services between the two countries was valued at more than $918 billion in 2017, and Canada is the largest secure supplier of energy to the U.S.
- Canada buys more goods from the United States than China, Japan, and the UK combined.
- A total of 680,900 jobs in New York and 211,000 jobs in Massachusetts depend on Canada-U.S. trade and investment.
Associated links
Statement by the Prime Minister on the ninth anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka
May 18, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the ninth anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka:
“Today, we mark the ninth anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka. The war – which lasted over 26 years – resulted in immeasurable injuries, loss of life, and displacement. The wounds of this war linger as the survivors seek answers for their loss, including family members and loved ones who have disappeared.
“Over the past nine years, I have met many Tamil-Canadians personally affected by the war. Their stories are a solemn reminder of the need to attain lasting peace and true reconciliation.
“I reiterate my call to the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a process of accountability that has the trust and confidence of the survivors. Canada offers its full support to the Government of Sri Lanka and those working to ensure that efforts towards reconciliation, non-recurrence, peace, and justice on the island are realized, and that international and domestic commitments on accountability, transitional justice, and ending impunity are met.
“On this anniversary, I extend my deepest sympathy to Canadians of Tamil descent, and all victims of the armed conflict and their families. I also invite all Canadians to take time to recognize the important contributions that Tamil-Canadians make to our country and the adversity they have overcome.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 17, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia:
“On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we join Canadians and people everywhere to call for a world free of stigma, persecution, and discrimination. Everyone deserves the same rights and opportunities in life no matter who they love or how they identify.
“This year’s theme is Alliances for Solidarity. Change may start with an individual, but progress is paved when people stand together, proud and strong. Thanks to the brave and tireless efforts of LGBTQ2 advocates and allies alike, Canada is a more just, compassionate country – but we still have a ways to go.
“Members of LGBTQ2 communities continue to face daily harassment, discrimination, and violence simply for being who they are. Inequality has no place in our society, and Canada gets stronger every day that we choose to embrace diversity.
“In the last year, the Government of Canada, working with Member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault, Special Advisor on LGBTQ2 issues, has taken many important steps to recognize and protect the rights of LGBTQ2 individuals.
“Last June, we passed legislation that provides Canadians with explicit protection from discrimination and hate crimes based on their gender identity or expression. A few months later, we apologized to those harmed by federal legislation, policies, and practices that led to the oppression of and discrimination against LGBTQ2 people in Canada.
“We have also put forward several initiatives that will make a difference for LGBTQ2 communities. In Budget 2017, we introduced a $101-million Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence – the first-ever federal strategy of its kind – to help fill gaps in support for diverse populations, including LGBTQ2 communities. Budget 2018 proposes another $86 million over the next five years to expand the Strategy and help end the ongoing discrimination, harassment, and the other harms that affect LGBTQ2 individuals and other vulnerable groups.
“We know there is a need to close data gaps to better understand critical socioeconomic issues facing LGBTQ2 Canadians. To that end, Budget 2018 provides $6.7 million over the next five years for Statistics Canada to establish a Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics.
“On the international stage, Canada continues to advance LGBTQ2 rights. As the current co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), we are working alongside states, civil society, and international organizations to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTQ2 people. We look forward to hosting the ERC Global Conference on LGBTI Rights and Inclusive Development in Vancouver this August.
“Today, we rededicate ourselves to a future where every single one of us – regardless of our gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation – is free to be true to who we are and achieve our fullest potential.”
