Prime Minister announces increased collaboration with Spain
September 23, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today met with the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, to set the foundation for an even closer Canada-Spain relationship.
The two leaders approved the Canada-Spain Cooperation Agenda, an agreement to collaborate more closely to create economic growth that benefits everyone, combat climate change, advance gender equality, and build a safer, more peaceful world.
As part of the Agenda, the Prime Ministers underlined their commitment to free trade, and highlighted how the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is creating good, middle class jobs and new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Sánchez underscored our countries’ shared commitment to NATO and to peacekeeping, and how Canadians are serving alongside their Spanish allies in peace and security operations around the world, including as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroup in Latvia and the International Coalition against Daesh. Canada and Spain will continue to lead peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, support a long-term and humane approach to migration, and empower and protect women and children, especially those in conflict-affected areas.
The two leaders also approved the Declaration in Favour of Gender Equality, which outlines actions to tackle persistent gender inequalities and meet the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Both countries will redouble their efforts to end gender-based violence, take action to reduce gender wage gaps, and encourage the participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Gender equality will also guide both countries’ foreign policy work and engagement in international institutions such as the United Nations.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Sánchez continued their discussion at the Global Progress Summit, where they talked about shared values, such as diversity and support for democracy, and our common goal of building economies that work for everyone.
Quote
“It was a pleasure welcoming Prime Minister Sánchez to Montreal, where we laid the groundwork for even closer collaboration between our two countries. Canada and Spain will continue to work together to combat climate change, advance gender equality, and build a more peaceful, secure world, while creating new jobs and opportunities for people on both sides of the Atlantic.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Sánchez met for the first time during the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium, in early July 2018 after Prime Minister Sanchez was officially sworn into office on June 1, 2018.
- Canada and Spain enjoy a strong and growing bilateral economic relationship and both benefit from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement provisionally applied since September 2017. In 2017, Canada’s merchandise exports to Spain totalled nearly $1.7 billion and merchandise imports from Spain reached $2.8 billion, making Spain Canada’s seventh-largest merchandise trading partner in the EU.
- In 2017, Canadian direct investments in Spain were valued at $6.4 billion, and the stock of Spain’s direct investment to Canada was valued at more than $5.8 billion.
Associated Links
- Canada-Spain Cooperation Agenda
- Declaration in Favour of Gender Equality between the Government of Spain and the Government of Canada
- Canada – Spain Relations
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
Statement by the Prime Minister on Mid-Autumn Festival
September 23, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival:
“Tonight, we join Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese communities in Canada and around the world to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Friends and families will gather to give thanks for the harvest and the year’s successes. A full moon will shine over the festivities, symbolizing unity and prosperity.
“As we mark the Mid-Autumn Festival, we are reminded of Canada’s rich diversity. Our country is prosperous and strong because we celebrate and find unity in our differences.
“Today, let us honour the many communities that mark this day – and make Canada such a wonderful place to live.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on Gender Equality Week
September 23, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Gender Equality Week:
“This week, we mark the first ever Gender Equality Week in Canada. This is a historic step, and a chance to celebrate gender equality as a key to Canada’s success. We honour the people behind the progress we’ve made, and turn toward the work left to do make sure everyone has the opportunities they need to thrive.
“The theme of this year’s celebration – Gender equality benefits everyone – highlights the ways gender equality makes life better for all of us. It’s key to tackling the challenges we face as a world – whether building peace, fighting climate change, or growing economies that work for everyone. More people participating fully across our society means a bigger workforce, a stronger economy, and better communities. That’s good for all of us – and it’s on all of us to make it a reality.
“Standing up for gender equality is a top priority for the Government of Canada. We appointed the first ever gender-balanced federal Cabinet and, in 2018, we put gender equality at the centre of both the federal budget and Canada’s G7 presidency. We have taken action to protect gender-diverse Canadians from discrimination, reduce the gender wage gap, support women entrepreneurs, and prevent and address gender-based violence.
“Canada will continue to champion gender equality at home and abroad. This year, Gender Equality Week falls during the United Nations General Assembly – where advancing gender equality will be one of our top priorities. At the G7 summit this past summer, we saw the progress we can make when we come together. In Charlevoix, thanks to the leadership of the Gender Equality Advisory Council for Canada’s G7 Presidency, Canada and partners announced a historic investment of close to $3.8 billion in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations – the largest of its kind ever made. This investment will help make sure the most vulnerable women and girls get the chance to learn and succeed, and we will continue to build on that momentum this week by welcoming further support.
“Canada is also proud to stand with Chile as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition, the first intergovernmental network formed to promote and protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. As Canadians, we know our diversity is our strength – and we are all better off when everyone’s rights are protected, and everyone’s voice is heard.
“Gender equality benefits all of us. This week, let’s celebrate everyone who has worked to build a more just and equal Canada. Let’s do our part, build on their progress, and shape a country where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed.”
