March 8, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Women’s Day:
“Women, girls, and gender diverse people play an invaluable role in building a fairer and more inclusive future with equal opportunity for everyone, here in Canada and around the world.
“Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women and girls that have helped shape the world we know today and we recommit to ensuring that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their gender identity, race, ethnicity or religion. This year’s theme, Women Inspiring Women, invites us to highlight the accomplishments of the many women, girls, and gender diverse people who demonstrate leadership by challenging norms and harmful stereotypes, empowering others, and serving as role models for all of us.
“Canadian women and girls are leaders in breaking down barriers – from 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes like Lisa DeJong, who won Canada’s first-ever Paralympic snowboard cross medal, to award-winning director and animator Domee Shi, whose debut feature film will be released this week. In the arts, business, medicine, sports, and Canada’s public service, women are continuously overcoming significant obstacles and paving the way for the next generation.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, women and girls have been disproportionately bearing the impacts of COVID-19. This is especially true for many marginalized groups, including Indigenous, Black and racialized women as well as women living with disabilities, and those who are members of LGBTQ2 communities. The Government of Canada has been there to support them, including through the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund and the Task Force on Women in the Economy. As we recover from the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to build a more inclusive future, including through a Canada-wide $10-a-day early learning and child care system, which will make life more affordable for Canadian families and increase women’s participation in the workforce. We will also continue to support initiatives that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide through the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
“Today, as we celebrate the many accomplishments of women and girls who are building a fairer, stronger, and more inclusive future, we cannot forget that there is more to be done. We all have a role to play in breaking down barriers and ensuring that all women, girls, and gender diverse people have every opportunity to succeed in life.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš
March 8, 2022
Riga, Latvia
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, in Riga, Latvia.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Kariņš condemned Russia’s further aggression against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. The two prime ministers called on Russia to facilitate the opening of a humanitarian corridor to save lives. They condemned the recent and irresponsible Russian attack on a nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and the utter disregard for its potential consequences.
Prime Minister Kariņš thanked Canada for increasing the number of troops and military equipment in Latvia and recognized Canada’s decision to renew its commitment to Operation REASSURANCE as a reflection of Canada’s commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and long-term regional security.
Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Prime Minister Kariņš for Latvia’s support for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and for Latvia’s efforts to promote ratification of the agreement within the European Union. The two leaders agreed that strong trade ties among like-minded countries are more important than ever, and both prime ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to building partnerships between the two countries.
Associated links
Canada-Latvia relations
Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Operation REASSURANCE
Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
March 8, 2022
Riga, Latvia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met today with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, in Riga, Latvia.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Secretary General Stoltenberg strongly condemned Russia’s further aggression against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. They called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal of military forces, and the urgent need for civilians to be able to access humanitarian corridors and assistance.
The two leaders insisted on the vital need to impose strong measures against Russia to stop its further aggression, while also increasing material support to the Ukrainian government, military, and people.
Secretary General Stoltenberg welcomed Canada’s commitment to renew Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s support to NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures, and sees the presence of NATO troops from across the organization as a strong deterrent to further Russian aggression and a powerful symbol of NATO unity.
Prime Minister Trudeau thanked the Secretary General for his outstanding leadership throughout the crisis and looked forward to the upcoming NATO Summit to be hosted by Spain in June 2022.
Associated links
Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Operation REASSURANCE
Canada announces additional measures to support Ukraine
Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom
March 7, 2022
Northolt, United Kingdom
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom at the Royal Air Force Base in Northolt, United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson strongly condemned the ongoing military aggression by Russia against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, and worked together to identify additional measures to hold all responsible stakeholders accountable. The prime ministers discussed the growing international consensus against the Russian aggression, as demonstrated by the recent vote in the United Nations General Assembly, and agreed to expand coordination amongst counties providing military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The leaders recognized the heroic efforts and sacrifices of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and people, and denounced in particular Russia’s attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
The two leaders decided to deepen bilateral collaboration with respect to security and intelligence in order to better combat threats to democracy, including foreign interference, economic coercion, disinformation, and cyber-attacks. In this regard, they spoke about close and effective cooperation between Canada and the United Kingdom in multilateral fora, including within the Media Freedom Coalition, G7, and Five Eyes on countering disinformation and foreign interference and strengthening democracies globally. The leaders discussed next steps for the modernization of the free trade agreement between Canada and the United Kingdom and dedicated additional attention to securing reliable supply chains, especially for energy and critical minerals.
Associated links
Canada-United Kingdom relations
Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine
Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA)
Global Conference for Media Freedom: Joint communiqué
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte
March 7, 2022
Northolt, United Kingdom
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, at the Royal Air Force Base in Northolt, United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Rutte strongly condemned the ongoing military aggression by Russia against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, and worked together to identify additional measures to hold all responsible stakeholders accountable. In doing so, the prime ministers reviewed the recent sanctions against Russia, including restrictive measures against the Russian Central Bank, financial institutions, companies, officials, oligarchs, and elites, as well as the removal of Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system. They acknowledged measures taken by global credit card companies to block Russian financial institutions and agreed to support similar initiatives in the future.
The prime ministers discussed the growing international consensus against Russian aggression, as demonstrated by the recent vote in the United Nations General Assembly, and decided to facilitate coalition building among countries providing military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed the importance of tackling misinformation and disinformation, and protecting press freedom, and committed to further collaborating during their co-chairmanship of the Media Freedom Coalition. They reiterated their commitment to advancing gender equality, creating more trade and job opportunities in both countries, and collaborating further in the areas of science and technology. The leaders recognized the heroic efforts and sacrifices of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian people, and denounced in particular Russia’s attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in the context of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as transatlantic cooperation on matters of security and trade to preserve and protect the principles of peace, security, and democracy in Europe and globally.
Associated links
Canada-Netherlands relations
Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine
Canada announces additional measures to support Ukraine
Global Conference for Media Freedom: Joint communiqué
Prime Minister concludes successful visit to the United Kingdom
March 7, 2022
London, United Kingdom
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded a productive bilateral visit to the United Kingdom (UK). The visit reinforced the strong and longstanding relationship between our two countries and our shared commitments to holding Russia accountable for the unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, promoting international peace and security, protecting democracy, and working collectively to address global challenges including climate change.
During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss and continue to respond to the ongoing military aggression by Russia against Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada will impose new restrictions on 10 individuals complicit in Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including former and current senior government officials, and supporters of Russian leadership. These measures put further pressure on Russia’s leadership, including President Putin’s inner circle, to cease its repeated violations of human rights and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both leaders agreed to pursue further joint support for Ukraine by providing critical humanitarian and military aid and ensuring that Russia is held accountable for its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion, including by referring the attacks to the International Criminal Court.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Canada was the first country to recently revoke Russia’s and Belarus’s Most-Favoured-Nation status as a trading partner, resulting in a 35 per cent tariff rate on virtually all goods imported from the two countries. He also highlighted that Canada stands ready to help the UK replace key supply chains disrupted by sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus.
The Prime Ministers issued a joint statement to further strengthen and deepen national security collaboration in the critical areas of countering state threats, emerging technology and cyber challenges, and combating disinformation and efforts to undermine democracy.
The two leaders also agreed to work together to address other key global challenges, including climate change and a strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for both countries. Canada and the UK will strengthen cooperation in the areas of science, technology and innovation, including fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum, bio-manufacturing, clean energy sources, telecommunications, Arctic and polar research and food production.
Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for the UK to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and welcomed progress towards the launch of bilateral trade negotiations to continue our close economic partnership and create jobs in both countries.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson also participated in a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to discuss additional responses to Russia’s blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Prime Minister Trudeau was also received in audience by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. He thanked her personally for being a stabilizing force throughout the pandemic and congratulated Her Majesty on her Platinum Jubilee. The Prime Minister highlighted that Canada will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee and seven decades of Canadian achievements by hosting a range of activities throughout 2022 and support community projects and initiatives across the country.
Quote
“As Russia continues its unwarranted and unjustifiable attacks on Ukraine, Canada is standing united with our European allies in supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, as well as democracy and human rights everywhere. Canada and the United Kingdom share a close and longstanding partnership and I thank Prime Minister Johnson for the productive visit. Together, we will continue to strengthen that partnership and defend our shared democratic values, while creating a cleaner and more prosperous future for all.”The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
Canada and the UK have been steadfast in supporting the response in condemning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, and imposing severe sanctions on Russia.
In 2021, the United Kingdom was Canada’s third largest individual country trading partner for combined goods and services trade, with total goods and services trade of $42.2 billion. Canada exported $24.1 billion in goods and services to the UK and imported $18.1 billion in goods and services from the UK in 2021.
Canada and the UK are the only two countries that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the G7, the G20, and the Commonwealth.
The Canadian and UK defence ministries maintain close working relations at all levels, both bilaterally and multilaterally through NATO.
The UK is one the top export destinations for Canadian defence products and services.
The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement, based on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union, entered into force on April 1, 2021 and preserves preferential market access for both Canadian and UK businesses.
Canada and the UK have committed to enter into new bilateral free trade agreement negotiations by April 1, 2022. Both the bilateral negotiations and the United Kingdom’s possible accession to the CPTPP present opportunities for Canada to further enhance its relationship with one of its largest trading partners.
Related Products
Canada-United Kingdom Joint Statement
Associated Links
Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine
Canada-United Kingdom relations
Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement
