Itinerary for Thursday, June 20, 2019
June 19, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Note: All times local
Washington, D.C., United States
12:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will arrive at the White House.
West Wing Portico
White House
White House
Note for media:
- Open coverage
12:05 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Oval Office, West Wing
White House
White House
Note for media:
- Pooled photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting
12:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a Luncheon given by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Cabinet Room, West Wing
White House
White House
Note for media:
- Official photographers only
2:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Speaker’s Conference Room
Room H-230, 2nd Floor
United States Capitol
Capitol Hill
Room H-230, 2nd Floor
United States Capitol
Capitol Hill
Note for media:
- Pooled photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting
3:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell.
Leader’s Conference Room
Room S-230, 2nd Floor
United State Capitol
Capitol Hill
Room S-230, 2nd Floor
United State Capitol
Capitol Hill
Note for media:
- Pooled photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting
4:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will hold a media availability.
Embassy of Canada to the United States
501 Pennsylvania Avenue North West
501 Pennsylvania Avenue North West
Note for media:
- Open coverage
8:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will depart for Ottawa.
Closed to media.
Prime Minister announces enhanced cooperation with the United States
June 20, 2019
Washington, D.C.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded a successful visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with United States President Donald J. Trump and committed to closer collaboration on a number of priorities.
The Prime Minister and President discussed recent progress toward the ratification of the new North American Free Trade Agreement, which will create good, middle class jobs and new opportunities for people in both countries. They also exchanged views on trade issues, including softwood lumber, and agreed that Canada and the U.S. should work together to safeguard and expand trade between our two countries.
The two leaders discussed rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including reports of Iran shooting down a U.S. drone in international airspace.
The Prime Minister raised the issue of China’s wrongful detention of two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. The two leaders called for their immediate release.
The leaders also discussed ways to improve mineral security and ensure future competitiveness of their minerals industries, and work more closely to ensure secure and reliable supply chains. To that end, they announced that Canada and the U.S. will develop a joint action plan on critical minerals collaboration.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Canadian uranium to North American energy security, and underscored how Canada has been a reliable supplier of uranium to the U.S. for over 75 years.
The Prime Minister and President emphasized their shared concern for increasing opioid-related deaths on both sides of the border, and announced that Canada and the U.S. will work more closely together to find solutions to the opioid crisis, including through the North American drug dialogue and multilateral organizations. The two countries will also boost their collaboration to combat opioid trafficking, including through law enforcement cooperation and the sharing of information and best practices.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump announced their intention to implement the new preclearance agreement this summer, which will make it possible to extend preclearance for travelers at land, rail, and marine facilities in both countries, as well as at additional airports, and will enable the preclearance of cargo.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Entry/Exit initiative at the land border this summer, which will provide a streamlined and more secure process when crossing our shared land border, while protecting individual privacy and rights.
The leaders also highlighted our countries’ close collaboration in space. The Prime Minister underlined Canada’s partnership with the U.S. on the Lunar Gateway, which will push the bounds of human space exploration. The project represents the first step to future missions to Mars and beyond.
They also discussed ongoing reform efforts in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, and the crisis in Venezuela, including Cuba’s role to play in stabilizing the crisis. The two leaders reiterated their support for Interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, and their shared desire for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition through free and fair elections as soon as possible. The Prime Minister and President also discussed concerns around human rights violations in Nicaragua.
The two leaders also discussed the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Osaka, Japan, and agreed to continue conversations from today’s meeting at the Summit.
During the visit, Prime Minister Trudeau also met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives in a meeting hosted by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Together, they discussed the ratification of the new NAFTA, relations with China, climate change, and Canada-U.S. cooperation on security and defence.
Quote
“Today’s meeting with President Trump was productive and far-reaching. It was a chance to talk about how we can continue to work together to improve the lives of working people in both our countries, and to set a foundation for closer collaboration in several areas – from energy security to the opioid crisis to space exploration. I look forward to building on the progress we made today at next week’s G20 Summit in Osaka.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Canada and the United States share the longest, secure border in the world, over which some 384,000 people and $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross daily.
- Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries increased 5.7 per cent to $742.9 billion in 2018.
- Canada buys more goods from the United States than China, Japan, and the United Kingdom combined.
- The U.S. is the single greatest investor in Canada. In 2018, U.S. stock investment in Canada was $406 billion, representing nearly half of all investment in Canada.
- Energy is the largest contributor to Canada-U.S. bilateral trade, equal to 20 per cent of trade in goods or $151 billion in 2018.
- Canada and the U.S.’ energy systems are highly integrated, with 74 oil and natural gas pipelines and 34 electrical transmission lines transporting energy in both directions.
- In June 2019, Canada announced its approval for the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project, which will provide a vital link for the export of Manitoba hydroelectricity while supporting increased energy security in Minnesota.
- Trade between NAFTA members – Canada, the United States, and Mexico – was valued at nearly $1.5 trillion in 2018.
- Canada opposes the U.S.’s decision not to suspend Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, commonly known as the Helms-Burton Act.
- Canada works closely with the U.S. on Arctic security, and remains committed to exercising the full extent of its rights and sovereignty over its Arctic waters, including the Northwest Passage.
- Critical minerals – used for defence, manufacturing, and high tech industries – are essential to the economies and national security of Canada and the United States. Canada’s rich minerals sector is well-positioned to contribute significantly to North American requirements, and to benefit from strategic trade and investment opportunities.
- Time and again, Canada and the U.S. have come to each other’s assistance as neighbours and friends in times of need, including in response to natural disasters. In the last five years, with an increase in winter and hurricane storm impacts on the electric grid in the U.S., more than one thousand teams of Canadian line workers and equipment have been deployed to help restore power to Americans in more than a dozen states.
- In addition to Nancy Pelosi, the Prime Minister met with the following members of the U.S. House of Representatives: Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader; Kevin McCarthy, Republican Leader; Jim Clyburn, Majority Whip; Steve Scalise, Minority Whip; Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Caucus Chairman; Liz Cheney, Republican Conference Chairwoman; Eliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs; Mike McCaul Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Katherine Clark, Vice Chair, House Democratic Caucus.
Associated Link
Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of MP Mark Warawa
June 20, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley–Aldergrove:
“Today, I join all Parliamentarians and Canadians to mourn the passing of Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for the British Columbia riding of Langley–Aldergrove, after a brave battle with cancer.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Diane, his five children and ten grandchildren, his friends and colleagues, and the many people he represented in his riding.
“A long-time resident of Langley, B.C., Mark served his constituents proudly since 2004, building on his work as a city councilor and businessman. He was a man of deep faith and principle who lived his life in service to others.
“Mark was a strong voice for people in his community, and worked tirelessly on behalf of all Canadians. He will be greatly missed.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on World Refugee Day
June 20, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Refugee Day:
“Today, on World Refugee Day, we stand with people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes. We recognize their resiliency and courage, and come together as an international community to support refugees and displaced people.
“This year marks a somber milestone. Recent UN counts put the world’s forcibly displaced population at over 70 million – including over 25 million refugees. Millions were forced to flee their homes last year, while many more have been unable to return home for years.
“These numbers are staggering. Each represents a story of escape from conflict, insecurity, or persecution. And when people are driven from their homes, that’s often only the beginning of a journey marked by trauma, barriers, and loss. But they want the same thing we all do: to be able to live in peace and raise their families, to rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves and their communities.
“This is what generations of people have done in Canada. As a country that has welcomed refugees throughout its history, we know first-hand the important contributions they make. The millions of refugees who have resettled here have shaped who we are as a country, and helped build the strong, open, prosperous Canada we know today.
“In 2019, we mark the 40th anniversary of Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program and celebrate the many Canadians who have provided a safe haven for more than 327,000 refugees since the program launched. Their dedication and compassion are an example to the world. We continue to build on this legacy today, from communities coming together to welcome Syrian refugees, to last year’s historic investment in education for women and girls in conflict and crisis situations, a commitment made under Canada’s G7 presidency.
“People flee home when they have no other choice. Those of us who are more fortunate share a responsibility to help them find refuge and build a new life. That’s why we’ll continue to come to the aid of the most vulnerable, to show openness, and to choose compassion – the foundation for a stronger Canada, and a better world.”
Prime Minister to attend G20 Leaders’ Summit in Japan
June 19, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Osaka, Japan, to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit on June 28 and 29.
The Summit is a key opportunity to take concerted action on some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including making sure more people benefit from the increasingly global and digital economy.
Japan has put forward a G20 agenda with many themes similar to those of Canada’s 2018 G7 Presidency, including combatting climate change, promoting clean energy, and advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
At the Summit, the Prime Minister will continue to champion these issues, and underscore how creating new opportunities for the middle class is the best way to restore people’s confidence in the future.
In addition, he will promote open trade and investment, call for stronger and more decisive action to combat violent extremism in all its forms, including online, and underline how countries, as part of their efforts to fight climate change, must make a clean economy affordable for everyone.
Finally, he will stress the urgent need for G20 countries to uphold the rules-based international order, and to recognize the threat of those who seek to undermine this order.
Quotes
“We are seeing eroding support around the world for the very things that have helped deliver stability and prosperity for generations. As G20 leaders, we have a fundamental responsibility to reverse this trend and to build economies that benefit more people. The G20 Summit in Osaka is a chance to agree on goals and principles that drive growth and progress and, ultimately, restore people’s confidence in the future.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- This is the fifth time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Finance Bill Morneau will accompany the Prime Minister to the Summit.
- The Summit brings together leaders of major advanced and emerging economies to address pressing global challenges.
- This is the first time Japan has assumed the G20 Presidency.
Associated Links
Trans Mountain Expansion will fund Canada’s future clean economy
June 18, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Government of Canada has approved the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) and that every dollar the federal government earns from this project will be invested in Canada’s clean energy transition.
The environment and the economy go hand-in-hand. When we create prosperity today, we can invest in the clean jobs, technologies, and infrastructure of the future — and help Canadians benefit from opportunities presented by a rapidly changing economy.
The key to creating prosperity is finding new markets for our businesses to sell their products and services. Nowhere is the need to diversify greater than for our energy sector, where 99 per cent of our conventional resources are sold to one market — and often at large discounts. Canadians understand that we need to open up new international markets, in order to get a full and fair price, support workers and their families, and foster competitiveness.
Today’s approval was based on the confidence that:
- strong environmental protections have been and continue to be put in place, and that the effects of the project can be mitigated through conditions and recommendations outlined by the National Energy Board (NEB), as well as measures including the historic $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan and the national climate plan.
- consultations with Indigenous peoples involved meaningful, two-way dialogue, which fulfilled the legal duty to consult and helped identify new accommodation measures and conditions to appropriately address potential impacts on Indigenous rights and concerns expressed by Indigenous communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada will launch the next phase of engagement with Indigenous groups on ways they could share in the benefits of the expansion, including through equity ownership or revenue sharing. This is an important step on our path toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
By moving forward with TMX, we are creating jobs, diversifying markets, accelerating our clean energy transition, and opening up new avenues for Indigenous economic prosperity.
Quote
“We have a responsibility to ensure that the decisions we make today move us toward a cleaner, sustainable economy. Major resource projects can move forward, but only if we do so in a way that protects the environment and respects Indigenous rights. The TMX project is a significant investment in Canadians and in Canada’s future that will create thousands of good, middle class jobs, maintain the highest environmental standards, and fund the clean energy solutions that Canada needs to stay competitive on the global stage.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- This decision reflects guidance from the Federal Court of Appeal’s ruling in August 2018 that quashed the government’s approval of the project. The ruling found that the NEB had erred in its decision to exclude considerations of the environmental impact of project-related marine shipping, and that the government had failed to meet its legal duty to consult with Indigenous peoples. The ruling also provided guidance on how to address these errors.
- Following that decision, the federal government launched the most comprehensive consultations with Indigenous groups and communities that it has ever conducted for a major project. The government appointed a former Supreme Court Justice, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, to provide oversight and direction to the government on the process.
- The Government of Canada takes its environment and climate commitments seriously and is working to protect our oceans and coastlines through:
- Historic investments through the Oceans Protection Plan
- A $15.7 billion investment to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, so it can continue to deliver its critical missions in support of safe marine trade
- A $167.4 million Whales Initiative, and an additional $61.5 million, to address threats to the Southern Resident Killer Whale
- Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is taking strong action to prevent marine pollution incidents, and to increase capacity to respond if an incident takes place.
- These consultations led to the development of eight broad accommodation measures that will be tailored to respond to the concerns raised by Indigenous communities, including enhanced marine response capacity and fish habitat restoration, to address the impact on Indigenous rights.
- On February 22, 2019, as directed by the Government of Canada, the NEB delivered a reconsideration report, which included an overall recommendation that the TMX project be approved as it is in the public interest.
- The report outlined 156 conditions that would be imposed if the project was approved, as well as 16 recommendations that fall outside the Board’s mandate but within the authority of the Government of Canada. These conditions cover a wide range of areas, including emergency preparedness and response, pipeline safety and integrity, and consultation with affected Indigenous communities.
- The Government of Canada is committed to acting on the NEB’s recommendations and conditions, and has made amendments to strengthen six of the conditions to further address concerns of Indigenous groups.
Related Products
- How we got here
- What informed the government decision
- Bolstering marine safety
- Strengthening emergency response
- Protecting the Southern Resident Killer Whale
- Advancing cumulative effects management
- Next steps
- Economic benefits of the Trans Mountain Expansion project
- Indigenous engagement
- Canada’s plan for climate change and clean growth
- Greenhouse gas emissions from the Trans Mountain project
- Accommodations and amended conditions
- National Energy Board’s 16 recommendations
- Transition to a clean economy
- Indigenous participation in the economic development of the Trans Mountain Expansion project
- Letter from former Supreme Court Justice, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci
