Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with former United States President George W. Bush
December 2, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with former United States President George W. Bush.
The Prime Minister expressed his deepest condolences on the death of the President's father, former United States President George H. W. Bush.
The Prime Minister underscored his admiration of President George H. W. Bush's lifetime of public service and the high regard in which he was held by Canadians.
Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
“Millions of Canadians live with a disability. They are our parents, spouses, children, colleagues, neighbours, and friends. They are entitled to the same rights and protections as everyone else. Yet, every day, many Canadians with disabilities face unacceptable barriers that hold them back and keep our country from becoming a truly equal place.
“While we have made progress towards a more accessible and inclusive society, much work remains to be done. Too many Canadians with disabilities continue to have to break down barriers and fight battles, seen and unseen, alone. Too many face stigma and exclusion where they should find acceptance and support. And too many find their potential limited because of stereotypes and closed minds.
“Over the last three years, the Government of Canada has taken steps to promote the rights of Canadians with disabilities and build a fairer, more accessible country for all. We met with and listened to thousands of Canadians with disabilities to draft Canada’s first national accessibility law – the Accessible Canada Act. The proposed Act, which passed in the House of Commons last week, would help remove and prevent barriers to accessibility across Canada, and promote equal opportunities for all people in Canada, no matter their disability.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to join me in marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of people living with disabilities, and rededicate ourselves to building a barrier-free and better country for everyone.”
Statement by the Prime Minister to mark the start of Hanukkah
December 2, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark the start of Hanukkah:
“Tonight, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will welcome the beginning of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights.
“For eight nights, families and friends will gather to pray, sing, and light the candles of the chanukiah, one by one. Each candle shines as a symbol of perseverance and reminds us of the power of faith and determination.
“Hanukkah is a time to reflect on the profound resilience of the Jewish people and their triumph over exile, persecution, and unspeakable suffering.
“The name ‘Hanukkah’ comes from the Hebrew word for ‘dedication.’ Generation after generation of Jewish Canadians have dedicated themselves to serving their communities and their country, and standing up for the values that unite us. They remind us that we are all custodians of Canada’s character, and that we cannot waver in defending the dignity and rights of others.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating a happy and blessed Hanukkah.
“Chag Hanukkah Sameach.”
Prime Minister concludes productive G20 Leaders’ Summit
December 1, 2018
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his participation at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and welcomed the outcomes outlined in the G20 Leaders Declaration.
The Summit was a key opportunity for countries to come together to strengthen the middle class and invest in economic growth that benefits everyone.
During the Summit, the Prime Minister emphasized how creating new opportunities for the middle class is critical to helping people deal with the uncertainty of a changing world and stemming the spread of polarization and division.
The Summit also provided an opportunity to build on priorities from the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, particularly equal access to quality education to promote equal opportunity and the empowerment of women and girls, implementation of the Ocean Plastics Charter to eradicate plastic pollution and protect our oceans, and the successful replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Prime Minister continued to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, another key G7 theme, at events hosted by the Business Women Leaders’ Taskforce and Her Majesty Queen Maxima of Netherlands. The Prime Minister also attended the G20 Investor Forum to discuss how partnerships between governments and the private sector for long-term investments can create good, middle class jobs and promote sustainable development.
In support of the G20 efforts on global health, the Prime Minister announced an additional $10 million contribution to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness, which will help develop new life saving vaccines to prevent and contain infectious disease outbreaks.
On climate, Canada has made significant progress and is working to meet its commitments to phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies (IFFS) by 2025. In support of this, Canada is participating in a G20 voluntary peer review process with Argentina, which will compare and improve knowledge, and push forward the global momentum to identify and reduce IFFS.
While in Argentina, the Prime Minister also met with President of Argentina Mauricio Macri. They welcomed the concrete progress made since Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2016 visit to Argentina, including Canada’s trade talks with Mercosur and Canada's upcoming creative industries trade mission to Latin America, including Argentina, in February 2019. The leaders also welcomed the signing today of a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on sharing best practices on open government, which will support peer learning, empower citizens, and improve public services.
Quotes
“Canada and Argentina have worked closely together to build complementary agendas and goals for this year’s G7 and G20 Summits to continue our strong progress to create new opportunities for the middle class, advance gender equality, strengthen financial governance, create a fairer global tax system, and combat corruption. The discussions among G20 leaders over the last two days show that we must work together to address the world’s most pressing challenges, strengthen the middle class, and offer real help to people working hard to join it.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Argentina and Canada share common values of diversity and inclusion, and a strong commitment to rules-based international trade and growth that benefits the middle class and people working hard to join it. Collaborating on open government between our countries will deepen our people-to-people bonds and drive growth that benefits everyone.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- The Prime Minister met with leaders from around the world in Buenos Aires, including Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Inter-American Development Bank Luis Alberto Moreno, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, and Governor of the Bank of England and Chair of the Financial Stability Board Mark Carney.
- The Global Fund was founded in 2002 to accelerate the end of the AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics.Canada has supported the Global Fund since its creation, providing more than $2 billion in total to the organization over its lifetime. Canada hosted the last Global Fund replenishment conference in 2016, where close to $13 billion was raised, including $804 million for 2017 – 2019 from Canada.
- In line with the G20 priority on infrastructure for economic growth, job creation and productivity, Canada highlighted its contribution of $20 million to the Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub) to establish Toronto as the centre of its North American operations. The GI Hub brings together public and private investors to develop critical infrastructure projects that benefit people, strengthen their communities, create good, middle class jobs, and connect global markets.
- The GI Hub will use $5 million of the funding to establish the Global Centre for Infrastructure Excellence, underscoring Canada’s commitment to foster new partnerships for development.
- The Open Government Partnership (OGP) was launched in 2011 to bring together government reformers and civil society leaders to create action plans that make governments more inclusive, responsive and accountable. Canada is the current lead government Chair and will host the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Ottawa in May 2019. Argentina will replace Canada as lead government Chair in October 2019.
- The arts and culture sector provides jobs to more than 650,000 Canadians, in addition to the numerous indirect jobs created by cultural products. It contributes 2.8 percent to Canada’s GDP. Argentina is the second largest economy in South America and a high-potential market for Canadian companies.
- Bilateral trade between Canada and Argentina totaled $2.2 billion in 2017. Canadian exports to Argentina totaled $445.7 million in 2017.
Associated Links
- G20 Leaders Declaration
- Canada and the G20
- The Charlevoix G7 Summit Communiqué
- Global Infrastructure Hub
- Canada-Argentina Peer Reviews of Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies
- Canada-Argentina Relations
- Canada’s Plans to the Open Government Partnership
- Americas Cultural Summit
- 2019 Canadian creative industries trade mission to Latin America
Statement by the Prime Minister on Romania’s National Day
December 1, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Romania’s National Day:
“Today, we join Romanian communities in Canada and around the world to celebrate Romania’s National Day, which this year marks the 100th anniversary of their modern statehood.
“Canada and Romania enjoy a special bond, built on cooperation, shared democratic values, and strong people-to-people connections. Canada is home to more than 200,000 Canadians of Romanian heritage who contribute to our prosperity and strength.
“Canada and Romania work together in several international organizations, including l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. We are also active trading partners through the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which is creating good, middle class jobs and new opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
“The Canadian Armed Forces are currently deployed to Romania under NATO Operation REASSURANCE, as part of Canada’s contribution to NATO efforts to support stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I extend our best wishes to all those celebrating Romania’s centenary.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on World AIDS Day
December 1, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement on World AIDS Day:
“Today, on the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day, we stand in solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS in Canada and around the world. We mourn those we have lost to this devastating epidemic, and unite to end HIV and AIDS for good. We also honour the advocates who have worked to fight stigma and improve treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV.
“This year’s theme, ‘Know Your Status,’ encourages people everywhere to get tested for HIV. Early testing is crucial to preventing the spread of infection and reducing the number of people exposed to the virus. By breaking down stigma and improving access to testing, we can make sure everyone, especially the most vulnerable people, can get life-saving treatment.
“Canada is committed to do our part to support people living with HIV and AIDS and bring an end to this epidemic. In 2016, we hosted world leaders in Montréal for the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, where we raised over $12.9 billion in pledges, including $804 million from Canada over three years.
“Earlier this year, we launched the Pan-Canadian Framework for Action to reduce the health impact of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections in Canada by 2030. This framework supports the global fight to end AIDS, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections as major health concerns. Here at home, we are also supporting community-based efforts to prevent HIV and other related infections among vulnerable groups, and investing in research to help find a safe and effective cure for HIV and develop prevention strategies and tools.
“As this week also marks the 20th anniversary of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, we remain determined to work with Indigenous communities and leadership to develop effective, culturally safe support networks and approaches to meet the unique needs of Indigenous people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
“Together, we can make a difference and bring this global epidemic to an end. Today, I invite all Canadians to raise awareness and help end the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. Everyone deserves to have access to the treatment, care, and support they need to live their lives to the fullest.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush
December 1, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of former President George H. W. Bush:
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of President George H. W. Bush. On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the Bush family and the many close friends who also continue to mourn the loss of his beloved wife, Barbara.
“George H. W. Bush’s lifetime of service began when he enlisted during the Second World War and became one of the youngest pilots in the U.S. Navy. His exemplary spirit of service and commitment to country would mark each of his roles – including in Congress, as ambassador to the United Nations, as head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and in the White House.
“President Bush was a dedicated and thoughtful leader who stuck by his convictions and values. He did much to strengthen relations between our two countries, championing the North American Free Trade Agreement and initiatives like the fight against acid rain.
“As president, he provided steady, principled leadership through a number of decisive international events.
“In his retirement from public life, President Bush remained unwavering in his service to others. He raised millions of dollars for charities related to cancer and child poverty, and made considerable contributions to disaster relief efforts in Southeast Asia and the U.S. Gulf Coast states.
“Today, all Canadians join our American friends and neighbours in mourning the loss of a great leader and friend. George H. W. Bush’s lifetime of public service has inspired a thousand points of light. His legacy will inspire many more.”
