Statement by the Prime Minister on the 106th Grey Cup
November 25, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement congratulating the Calgary Stampeders on winning the 106th Grey Cup in Edmonton, Alberta:
“Heartbreak no more. The Calgary Stampeders proved tonight that the third time’s the charm in a decisive win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS to capture the 2018 Grey Cup.
“I congratulate players of both teams for making it this far, and for their dedication to the sport. You are extraordinary examples of athleticism and sportsmanship – and I know kids across Canada look up to you, and dream of one day playing in your shoes.
“I also congratulate the Canadian Football League on another great season, and thank the City of Edmonton for hosting the 106th Grey Cup. This year was extra special for the city, as they celebrated the 70th anniversary of their beloved hometown team, the Edmonton Eskimos, proud winners of 14 Grey Cups.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
November 25, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:
“Gender-based violence harms us all. It affects families, schools, and workplaces – and holds back whole communities from reaching their full potential.
“Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we come together to stand up and speak out against violence against women and people of diverse gender identities. We reflect on what each of us can do, in our daily lives, to combat violence and create change.
“Trans women and gender-diverse people experience violence at staggering rates worldwide. Displaced, migrant, and refugee women are both particularly vulnerable and face greater obstacles to seeking safety and justice. The epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada is an ongoing tragedy and our collective shame.
“As we reflect on this unacceptable reality, we also honour the activists who are on the frontlines of helping survivors reclaim their voices, autonomy, and lives. Their advocacy benefits all of us, because an attack on women’s rights is a threat to all our human rights.
“The Government of Canada has taken important steps to help end gender-based violence. Last year, we launched It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. The Strategy focuses on preventing gender-based violence, providing stronger support for survivors and their families, and improving the response of our justice systems.
“This year, we made gender equality and women’s empowerment the guiding theme of Canada’s G7 Presidency. During the Summit, leaders recognized the urgent need to protect the rights of women and girls around the world – especially those in conflict situations – and signed the G7 Charlevoix Commitment to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Abuse and Harassment in Digital Contexts. This commitment will help us build better prevention and crisis response strategies and better support for survivors of gender-based violence.
“Building on these achievements, Canada put forward a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in digital contexts. Countries around the world adopted the resolution and committed to be part of the solution.
“But we can do more. Together, we need to change the culture that allows discrimination, harassment, and violence against women to continue in our communities. When women and girls come forward to tell their stories of survival, we cannot dismiss or ignore them. Their courage creates change that benefits all of us. We need to listen to women, respect them, value them, and protect their human rights.
“As we mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, I ask all Canadians to do their part to protect the rights of women and take action to bring an end to gender-based violence. We all benefit when women and girls are safe and free to live their lives to the fullest.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico
November 22, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, spoke with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico.
The leaders discussed next steps regarding the new North American Free Trade Agreement. They also exchanged views on the U.S. section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs in effect on Canadian and Mexican exports and agreed to continue to press for their removal.
The Prime Minister welcomed the progress made in strengthening the dynamic partnership between Canada and Mexico during the President’s administration and wished the President well as his term comes to an end on December 1.
Statement by the Prime Minister on Holodomor Memorial Day
November 24, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Holodomor Memorial Day:
“Today, we join Ukrainians here in Canada and around the world to remember the millions of innocent people who suffered at the hands of a totalitarian Soviet regime during the Holodomor.
“Between 1932 and 1933, the regime used starvation as a weapon, seizing farms and crops across Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians died from hunger. Countless others lost their lives in mass arrests, deportations, and executions.
“The Holodomor was a deliberate attempt – part of a systematic genocide – to crush the spirit and identity of the Ukrainian people. It failed. Ukrainians endured and, after decades of Soviet rule, Ukraine won its independence in 1991.
“For decades, the atrocities of the Holodomor were largely only known to its victims and those who orchestrated it. We must make sure the memories of those who suffered during the Holodomor live on, and that such horrors never happen again.
“On this solemn anniversary, I encourage all Canadians to remember the victims of the Holodomor, and to honour the immense role that people of Ukrainian heritage have played in the building of our country.
“Canada continues to stand with the people of Ukraine in their efforts to protect and preserve their sovereignty. We reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s government to protect its territorial integrity and its ongoing reform efforts to build a more secure, prosperous future for its citizens.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
November 23, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
“Today, Sikhs in Canada and around the world celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism.
“To mark the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, families and friends will gather to reflect on his life and his teachings of unity, equality, selflessness, and service.
“Every day, Sikh Canadians give life to these teachings and embody the values we hold dear as a society. Generation after generation of Sikh Canadians have made invaluable contributions to Canada and inspired a stronger, more equal, and more compassionate country.
“As Sikh communities celebrate today, I hope all Canadians find inspiration in the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His message is timeless and holds lessons for us all.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I offer our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
More affordable housing for families in Calgary
November 22, 2018
Calgary, Alberta
Every Canadian should have a safe and affordable place to live where they can build a better future for themselves and their families. That is why the Government of Canada unveiled Canada’s very first National Housing Strategy – a once-in-a-generation $40 billion investment to fight homelessness and support access to affordable housing across Canada.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that, as part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government will invest $31 million to build state-of-the-art, affordable, and accessible rental apartments for middle class families in Calgary’s city centre.
The new high-rise building – to be built by the Kanas Corporation – will include 121 rental housing units conveniently located near schools, public transit, and public services, including Glenmore Park and Rockyview General Hospital.
Almost all of the units will meet the City of Calgary’s affordability guidelines, with rental rates that will remain affordable for the next ten years. The building will also be energy-efficient, using energy storage and green energy sources such as wind, solar, and battery power, to help protect the environment and save families even more money.
The Government of Canada will continue to help build affordable homes that meet the needs of families across the country, to make sure every hardworking Canadian has a fair and equal chance at success.
Quote
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Today’s announcement will lead to over 120 new, affordable, and accessible apartments for families in Calgary’s city centre. This new building will provide people with housing where kids can learn and grow, and where families have the stability and opportunities they need to thrive in their community.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Approximately 30 per cent of Canadians live in rental units.
- The innovative design of this 15-storey building will achieve energy savings of 57 per cent and a 100 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below the requirements of the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2015.
- The Government of Canada is contributing a total of $31 million to the project through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi) and the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund.
- The RCFi is a National Housing Strategy initiative that supports construction projects that provide a stable supply of affordable rental housing across the country.
- In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada increased the amount for low-cost loans provided by the RCFi from $2.5 billion to $3.75 billion for the next three years. The initiative will help build more than 14,000 new rental-housing units across Canada.
- In 2017, the Government of Canada announced a 10-year, $40 billion National Housing Strategy that will help reduce homelessness and improve the availability and quality of housing for Canadians in need. This Strategy is part of a long-term vision to strengthen the middle class and provide affordable housing to Canadians, and lift more Canadians out of poverty. The strategy sets clear goals to remove 530,000 Canadians from housing need and reduce chronic homelessness.
- The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is providing $200 million over five years for projects that showcase new funding models and innovative building techniques. This funding will help lower the costs and risks of financing affordable housing projects and make the affordable housing sector more attractive for private market developers and investors. It will also create up to 4,000 new affordable housing units, reducing the number of Canadians living in housing need.
