Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump
May 10, 2019
Edmonton, Alberta
The Prime Minister spoke today with United States President Donald Trump.
The two leaders discussed latest developments on relations with China. The President provided an update on U.S. trade talks with China.
The Prime Minister and President agreed to keep in close touch on this and other important issues.
The Government of Canada partners with municipalities to build better lives for Canadians
May 10, 2019
Edmonton, Alberta
Whether getting busy parents home sooner, building recreation centres for young people, or helping communities adapt to climate change, investments in local infrastructure create good, middle class jobs and make our cities and towns better places to live.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Edmonton, Alberta, to highlight a one-time Municipal Infrastructure Top-Up in Budget 2019. The Top-Up will double this year’s federal transfer to municipalities in support of local infrastructure priorities. In 2018, Edmonton received over $51 million in federal funding for local infrastructure priorities. With the Top-Up this year, this funding is expected to increase to over $102 million.
Edmonton is currently putting federal funding toward important projects, including building the Edmonton Downtown Community Arena and replacing its bus fleet with low emission vehicles. New funding from the Top-Up will allow the city to advance these and other key priorities, which could include expanding recreational facilities, upgrading transportation routes, and improving water and wastewater systems.
By working more closely with municipalities, the Government of Canada is providing communities across the country with the tools they need to complete important infrastructure projects and make everyday life easier and more affordable for the middle class and people working hard to join it.
Quotes
“Since 2016, our government has invested in thousands of infrastructure projects across the country. This year, we are doubling funding for local priorities to help leaders like Mayor Iveson complete important infrastructure projects, create good, middle class jobs, and make our communities better places to live.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“This investment answers our call for the federal government to work directly with local government. It's a recognition of our local frontline expertise and ability to be a good partner in delivering projects that will directly contribute to the local economy and a better quality of life for Edmontonians.”
—Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton
Quick Facts
- With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure needs, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.
- Projects under this fund can be used for:
- Productivity and economic growth – including highways and local roads, public transit, and regional and local airports
- Clean environment – including drinking water, wastewater, and community energy systems
- Strong cities and communities – including sport and recreation, culture and tourism, and capacity building
- The federal Gas Tax Fund delivers over $2 billion every year to over 3,600 communities across the country. In recent years, funding has supported approximately 4,000 projects each year.
- The Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with the flexibility to allocate the funding according to their infrastructure priorities, as they see fit.
Associated Links
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump
May 9, 2019
Toronto, Ontario
The Prime Minister spoke today with United States President Donald Trump.
The two leaders discussed relations with China, including the arbitrary detention of two Canadian citizens in China and Canada’s ongoing efforts to secure their release.
The Prime Minister raised the issue of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs and reiterated the importance of their removal. The Prime Minister and President also exchanged views on progress toward the ratification of the new North American Free Trade Agreement, and underscored the strength of the mutually beneficial Canada-US economic partnership.
They looked forward to staying in touch on these and other important issues.
Prime Minister to attend the Christchurch Call meeting on eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content online
May 8, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The recent attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, have highlighted the urgent need for governments, tech companies, and civil society to work together to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Paris, France, from May 15 to 17, to meet with government leaders and representatives of prominent social media companies to discuss concrete solutions to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
During the meeting, government leaders will explore how they can – and must – work more closely with the tech industry, especially social media platforms, to stop the internet from being used as a tool to organize and promote terrorism and violent extremism.
During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau will also attend VivaTech, an important gathering of technology leaders and start-ups, and will meet with Canadian start-ups. While at VivaTech, the Prime Minister will deliver remarks on trust in the digital world.
At the same time, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, will attend the G7 Meeting of Digital Ministers, which will focus on combating online hate and abuse.
Quotes
“Social media and other online platforms have connected people in many positive and unprecedented ways. But they have also increasingly become used as tools to incite, publish, and broadcast extremist violence and hatred. Governments and social media companies share an urgent responsibility to build a coordinated global response to eliminate this content – and make sure people can continue to have trust in online spaces.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- In December 2018, the Government of Canada launched the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence, which outlines Canada’s approach and priorities to prevent the kind of radicalization that leads to violence to begin with.
- Radicalization to violence happens when a person or group takes on extremist beliefs that lead to them advocating violence and, possibly, taking part in terrorist activity.
- The Canada Centre leads the Government of Canada’s efforts to counter radicalization to violence, and works with all levels of governments, not-for-profit organizations, communities, youth, frontline practitioners, academia, law enforcement, and international organizations.
- Viva Technology or “VivaTech” is a three-day event bringing together the world’s leaders in technology and business with the most promising start-ups and disruptors of tomorrow to explore transformational ideas on a global scale. Since its inception in 2016, VivaTech has welcomed more than 100,000 attendees – among them 9,000 of the most innovative start-ups in the world.
Associated Links
Statement by the Prime Minister on Israel Independence Day
May 8, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day:
“Tonight at sundown, we join Israelis, Jewish communities, and others in Canada and around the world to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.
“This year is special, as we also mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Canada and Israel. Since 1949, our two countries have been close friends, steadfast allies, and partners in many international organizations. When the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, visited Canada just a few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to celebrate this important anniversary – and to make those ties even stronger.
“Canada will continue to stand proudly with Israel, including through our strong support for Israel at the United Nations. That’s why, earlier this week, we condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups. And we will continue to condemn BDS and any movement that attacks our Israeli friends, Jewish Canadians, and the values we share.
“Our close friendship is thanks in large part to Canada’s Jewish community, and the deep connections between people in our two countries. That’s just one of many examples of the major role Jewish Canadians play to help our country thrive.
“For many Jewish communities, this year has been a difficult one, with recent brutal, antisemitic attacks fresh in our minds. Attacks against the Jewish community are attacks against all of us. We will always combat antisemitism and hatred in all its forms – and together, we’ll keep working to make our world a better one.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish everyone celebrating this historic day a Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain
May 8, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Sánchez discussed the recent national elections in Spain, in which Prime Minister Sánchez’s Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) received more votes than other political parties.
The two prime ministers expressed their deep concern for the current crisis in Venezuela and for the humanitarian situation faced by the Venezuelan people. They reiterated their support for Interim President Juan Guaidó and the urgent need for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition and free and fair elections. The two leaders supported enhanced cooperation and convergence between the efforts of the European Union-led International Contact Group on Venezuela, and the Lima Group, of which Canada is a member.
