Statement by the Prime Minister on Rosh Hashanah
September 9, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Rosh Hashanah:
“Tonight, at sunset, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
“Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the ten-day period of High Holy Days. It is an opportunity to reflect on the past year and come together with friends and family to share meals, prayers, and hopes for the future.
“The New Year offers hope for a new beginning. It is a chance to set new goals, embrace new challenges, and reach for something greater. As Jewish tradition teaches us, our work is never finished.
“Progress is not inevitable, and must be continually renewed and reimagined. Today, let us commit to do better and be there for each other, no matter what the New Year brings.
“Rosh Hashanah is a chance to celebrate Canada’s Jewish communities, and the significant contributions that Jewish Canadians make to our country. Today, we also reaffirm our ongoing responsibility to take action and stand together against anti-Semitism, hatred, and discrimination in all its forms.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.
“Shanah Tovah Umetukah!”
Statement by the Prime Minister on International Literacy Day
September 8, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Literacy Day:
“Today, on International Literacy Day, we join people around the world to raise awareness of the importance of literacy. We celebrate the progress we have made to promote literacy, here at home and abroad – and reflect on the work we have left to do to make sure everyone has access to literacy and opportunity.
“Literacy is the foundation of success. It means more opportunities for people to take part in our economies and societies – and more tools to care for their loved ones, contribute to their communities, and build a better future.
“Literacy helps workers adapt and thrive in our rapidly changing global economy, and empowers people around the world, especially the most vulnerable. Being able to read and write helps people make their voices heard and gives them greater tools to advocate for their community. Yet around the world,750 million adults –two-thirds of whom are women – lack basic reading and writing skills. It’s up to all of us to build a world where everyone, no matter their background or their gender, has a fair and equal shot at success – and literacy is a vital part of that.
“The Government of Canada is working hard to support quality education that is fair and inclusive, and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. In 2017, we launched the Innovation and Skills Plan to help Canadians get the skills and training they need to succeed in today’s workforce and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. This year, we introduced a new Women Entrepreneurship Strategy to help women access training and networking opportunities to grow their business. Through programs such as the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy and the Youth Employment Strategy, we are helping historically vulnerable communities get the tools and opportunities they need to contribute to and benefit from our economy.
“Beyond our borders, we are working with partners to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality, including inclusive, equitable quality education for all. At the G7 Summit in Charlevoix earlier this year, Canada and partner countries announced a historic investment in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations – the largest of its kind ever made. When women and girls have the chance to learn and succeed, they help build economies that work for everyone. This investment will make a real difference in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable women and girls, and help lay the foundations for lasting peace and prosperity.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank all those who work every day to support and improve literacy initiatives, here in Canada and around the world. Together, we can close the gaps in access to education, and build a more prosperous, equal future for all.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Malala Yousafzai
September 7, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Malala Yousafzai, honourary Canadian, Nobel laureate, and co-founder of the Malala Fund.
Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Ms. Yousafzai for her leadership in Canada’s G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council to advance education for women and girls. They discussed Canada’s commitment to implement the historic $3.8 billion of new resources committed in Charlevoix for women and girls in crisis and conflict-affected situations. They discussed upcoming opportunities to ensure that education remains a global priority including during the United Nations General Assembly, the G20, and future G7 presidencies.
The Prime Minister and Ms. Yousafzai committed to further discuss opportunities to address barriers faced by girls in accessing 12 years of free, safe, quality education.
Joint Statement by the Leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on the Salisbury Attack
September 6, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
A joint statement by the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on the Salisbury attack:
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK), reiterate our outrage at the use of a chemical nerve agent, known as Novichok, in Salisbury on March 4, 2018. We welcome the progress made in the investigation into the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and take note of the attempted murder charges brought yesterday against two suspects. We commend the work of the UK Police and all those involved in this investigation.
“We also note the UK’s analysis, independently verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), that the exact same chemical nerve agent was used in the poisoning of Dawn Sturgess and Charles Rowley as was used in the poisoning of the Skripals. We urge Russia to provide full disclosure of its Novichok programme to the OPCW. And we encourage those with information about the attack in Salisbury on 4 March, as well as the further poisoning in Amesbury, to come forward to the UK authorities.
“We have full confidence in the British assessment that the two suspects were officers from the Russian military intelligence service, also known as the GRU, and that this operation was almost certainly approved at a senior government level. We have already taken action together to disrupt the activities of the GRU through the largest ever collective expulsion of undeclared intelligence officers. Yesterday’s announcement further strengthens our intent to continue to disrupt together the hostile activities of foreign intelligence networks on our territories, uphold the prohibition of chemical weapons, protect our citizens and defend ourselves from all forms of malign state activity directed against us and our societies.”
