Prime Minister welcomes fourth report from Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
May 16, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to welcome the fourth report from the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders:
“Today, I welcome the fourth report from the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, which focuses on increasing women’s access to capital.
“I thank the Council for their work to explore how we can improve access to capital, an issue identified in the Council’s last report as a key barrier facing women entrepreneurs. This report looks at concrete steps we can take – as capital providers, women entrepreneurs, and governments – to ensure that all entrepreneurs have access to the capital and financing they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
“We know that governments can promote economic growth that works for everyone by providing targeted support for women-owned and women-led businesses. The report highlights the $1.4 billion in new financing available for women entrepreneurs through the Business Development Bank of Canada and the capital available to increase women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated industries. We are also providing financing and insurance solutions for those looking to export to global markets, as well as new lending for women entrepreneurs in agriculture.
“In addition to these measures, Canada remains committed to improve the representation of women in leadership positions in venture capital firms. We also committed to increase the proportion of procurement for women-led businesses, and we are advancing gender equality in Canada’s boardrooms thanks to Bill C-25. These measures represent important steps toward making sure women entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to grow thriving businesses.
“When women entrepreneurs succeed, all of us benefit – and it is vital that we work together to remove the barriers that limit the potential of women-led companies. We welcome these recommendations, and will continue our efforts to support women entrepreneurs and business leaders. We look forward to the final report from the Council, which will look at the advancement of women leaders in the private sector.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on violence in Gaza Strip
May 16, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the violence in the Gaza Strip:
“Canada deplores and is gravely concerned by the violence in the Gaza Strip that has led to a tragic loss of life and injured countless people. We are appalled that Dr. Tarek Loubani, a Canadian citizen, is among the wounded – along with so many unarmed people, including civilians, members of the media, first responders, and children.
“We are doing everything we can to assist Dr. Loubani and his family, and to determine how a Canadian citizen came to be injured. We are engaging with Israeli officials to get to the bottom of these events.
“Reported use of excessive force and live ammunition is inexcusable. It is imperative we establish the facts of what is happening in Gaza. Canada calls for an immediate independent investigation to thoroughly examine the facts on the ground – including any incitement, violence, and the excessive use of force.
“Canada stands ready to assist in such an endeavour. We will work closely with our international partners and through international institutions to address this serious situation.”
May 15, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Ramadan:
“Tonight at sunset, Muslims in Canada and around the world will mark the beginning of Ramadan.
“Over the coming month, families and friends will gather in mosques and homes, fast during the daytime, and, in the evening, break their fast with iftar and pray together.
“Ramadan is a time of prayer and spiritual contemplation, and a chance to reflect on values like compassion, gratitude, and generosity. For all of us, Ramadan asks us to do more to put those values into practice, appreciate our many blessings, and give generously to others in our communities and around the world.
“In Canada, Ramadan is also an opportunity to celebrate our country’s Muslim communities, and the important contributions Muslim Canadians make each day.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish all those observing this holy month a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.
“Ramadan Mubarak!”
Statement by the Prime Minister on the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge
May 15, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the birth of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child:
“Canadians were delighted to hear that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a new baby boy into their family, His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.
“We have had the pleasure of hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on two royal tours, including their most recent visit when Prince George and Princess Charlotte were introduced to the beauty of Canada’s west coast. We all look forward to Prince Louis joining the family on a future tour.
“To celebrate the birth of the Prince, Canada will donate $50,000 to Jack.org, a national network of young people in Canada who are leading important conversations on mental health. The organization supports 2,500 student leaders to bring awareness around mental health issues, break down stigma, and make sure students can get the help they need. We will also donate $50,000 to Stella’s Place, an organization that helps young adults better understand their mental health and how to manage it. In addition, we are gifting Prince Louis a traditional Haida blanket – a memento of his parents’ recent visit to Haida Gwaii.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Royal Family.”
Historic federal investment expands Calgary’s public transit system
May 15, 2018
Calgary, Alberta
Investing in public transit infrastructure shortens commute times, cuts air pollution, and creates good, well-paying middle class jobs, while connecting our communities and making more time for Canadians to do what they love.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a major investment of up to $1.53 billion for Calgary’s Green Line Light Rail Transit project – the largest contribution ever made by the Government of Canada to an infrastructure project in Alberta.
The first stage of the Green Line involves the design and construction of 20 kilometres of track, 14 stations, a fleet of 70 low-floor light rail vehicles, a vehicle maintenance and storage facility, eight bridges, four tunnels, and three park-and-ride facilities.
Construction of this first stage is expected to begin in spring 2020 and be completed by late 2026. An estimated 20,000 jobs will be created to support the system’s design and construction, with a further 400 long-term jobs forecasted for the operation and maintenance of the Green Line when it opens to the public.
Once in service, Calgary’s Green Line will provide hundreds of thousands of transit riders in the city’s north and south-east communities with a direct route to the downtown core. It will also improve connections to public services, including hospitals, employment centres, and cultural and community facilities.
Quote
“Across the country, we are investing in major infrastructure projects that will transform the way Canadians move, work and live, while creating good, well-paying middle class jobs today and for years to come. Today’s historic investment in Calgary’s public transit system will make it easier for people to get around and connect to the services they need, make our air cleaner, and create thousands of jobs for Canadians.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- Of this amount, $28.7 billion will support public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- Part of the funding for the Green Line project comes from the more than $3.3 billion in federal funding allocated to Alberta in a bilateral agreement signed on April 3, 2018, to support projects over the next decade in the areas of public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural and community infrastructure, and rural and northern communities.
Associated Links
- Canada and Alberta to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Canadians
- Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta
- Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
- Smart Cities Challenge
Improved railway crossing to increase safety and improve traffic flow in Edmonton
May 15, 2018
Edmonton, Alberta
Quality transportation infrastructure and efficient trade corridors are vital to Canada’s continued economic success. The Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure projects that improve safety, help people get to where they need to go faster, create good, well-paying middle class jobs, and boost productivity and economic growth.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced more than $39 million for improvements to a railway crossing in Edmonton that will reduce congestion and travel times in the city. The improvements to the railway crossing at 50 Street and the Canadian Pacific Railway line will include:
- a new underpass beneath the existing railway crossing north of the Sherwood Park Freeway
- two new traffic lanes on 50 Street, increasing the total number of lanes from four to six
- the realignment and reconstruction of the intersection at 82 Avenue and 50 Street to maintain important connections between local residential neighbourhoods and commercial developments
- new sidewalks and shared use paths along 50 Street so that people in the city can get where they need to go quickly and safely
In addition, this project is expected to create nearly 900 good, well-paying middle class jobs during its construction.
Quotes
“Canadian businesses rely on efficient and modern trade and transportation corridors to get their goods to market in our country and around the world. This investment will reduce congestion and travel times in Edmonton, give people safer ways to move around, and keep our businesses competitive, while creating hundreds of good, well-paying middle class jobs for Canadians.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada’s transportation networks remain competitive and efficient.”
—The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
“One of the key areas of investments under the Investing in Canada long-term infrastructure plan is trade and transportation infrastructure. With investments of over $10 billion over the next decade, we will help build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors to international markets and help Canadian businesses compete, grow and create more jobs for Canada's middle class.”
—The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Quick Facts
- This funding is provided through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which supports projects that:
- help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and adapt to new technologies and innovation
- address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors
- support economic activity and the physical movement of goods and people in Canada
- improve the movement of Canadian goods to markets around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings
- As announced in November 2016 and detailed in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada is investing $10.1 billion over the next 11 years in trade and transportation projects.
