Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
“Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we come together to reject all forms of racism, discrimination, and hatred. While we have made progress with our efforts to fight systemic racism and injustice in Canada and globally, far too many people still face discrimination and hate based on the colour of their skin, their background, or their faith. So today, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“More work needs to be done to create a fair, equal, and inclusive society. The COVID‑19 pandemic has created and exacerbated social and economic exclusion and inequity for Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, and other racialized and religious minority communities. This is why the Government of Canada has supported – and continues to support – these groups during the pandemic through a robust COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
“The government continues to tackle and speak out against the systemic inequities and discrimination that Indigenous Peoples experience in Canada. We are working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to renew our nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships, through healing, truth, meaningful reconciliation, and cooperation. Last June, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was passed into law in Canada, establishing a roadmap for fully recognizing, respecting, and protecting the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. As well, last November, we introduced criminal law reforms to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples, Black and marginalized Canadians in the criminal justice system.
“As part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to combat all forms of anti‑Black racism, we officially recognized the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-24). We are also developing a whole‑of‑government action plan to eliminate systemic racism, address inequities in the criminal justice system, and improve the social, health, and economic well‑being of Black Canadians. In 2020, we launched Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program to support Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses. We also committed to developing a Black Canadians Justice Strategy, and last month, we dedicated up to $50 million to support Black-led organizations in building housing, and providing more affordable rental housing for Black households in Canada.
“We need to continue working together to eliminate racism in our workplaces as well as our education, health, and social systems by demonstrating leadership, empowering communities, building awareness, and changing attitudes. Whether it is anti-Indigenous, anti-Black, or anti-Asian racism, antisemitism or Islamophobia, we all have a role to play in calling out racism and discrimination – whenever and wherever we see it. As part of Canada’s Anti‑Racism Strategy, and with the support of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, we will keep tackling discrimination, hate, and systemic inequities in Canada, and work to design more effective legislation, policies, programs, and services that will benefit all Canadians.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians to confront racism, discrimination, and xenophobia in all their forms. Together, we can build a safer, fairer, and more inclusive country for everyone.”
March 20, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of La Francophonie:
“Today, on the 35th International Day of La Francophonie, we join Francophones and Francophiles in Canada and around the world in celebrating the richness of the French language – a cornerstone of our country’s history, identity, and heritage. This day also invites us to highlight the diversity of Francophone cultures and communities around the world.
“French is one of Canada’s two official languages – and the first official language of nearly a quarter of Canadians. French-speaking communities across the country are at the heart of our history and, through their many contributions, they continue to make Canada a more inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant country.
“Through the French language, our country maintains strong ties with Francophone communities around the world. As an active member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Canada works closely with its Francophone partners all over the world to promote the French language and the diversity of Francophone cultures, including in the digital sphere. Together, we also work to protect our shared values of democracy, peace, human rights, and solidarity.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of promoting French and strengthening the vitality of Francophone communities across the country. That is why, this month, we introduced an enhanced bill to ensure the substantive equality of status of English and French in Canada. This vision of our linguistic duality and our bilingualism, which includes setting targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, is part of our commitment to modernize the Official Languages Act.
“We will continue to work to modernize Canada’s linguistic regime, to adapt it to today’s realities and to establish a new linguistic balance in the country. Our proposal to strengthen the Act is an important step in our efforts to help protect the French language, promote our two official languages, and revitalize minority communities and bilingualism across the country.
“This year’s International Day of La Francophonie is also an opportunity for us to express our support and solidarity with Ukraine, which has OIF observer status, as its people try to secure their future in the face of Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of their territory.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish all Francophones and Francophiles in Canada and around the world a happy International Day of La Francophonie. I encourage you to learn more about Canada and La Francophonie, to share the hashtags #Francophoniedelavenir and #mon20mars on social media, and to take part in activities in your community to celebrate this important day.”
March 20, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Nowruz:
“Today, over 300 million people around the world, including Iranian, Afghan, Kurdish, Zoroastrian, Bahá’í, Central Asian, and Ismaili communities will celebrate Nowruz.
“Nowruz – which means ‘new day’ in Persian – marks the first day of spring and is celebrated as the beginning of the New Year. A time of renewal and new beginnings, Nowruz is also an opportunity to reflect on the difficulties of the past year, which was made particularly challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic, and share aspirations of hope and optimism for the year ahead.
“Today, families and friends gather around the haft-seen table to share festive meals, enjoy music and dance, and appreciate life’s many gifts, while celebrating new beginnings and embodying the core values of compassion, peace, and acceptance at the heart of Nowruz.
“For all Canadians, Nowruz is an opportunity to recognize the many communities that observe this day, and the important contributions that they make to our country. Diversity is our country’s strength, and together we will persevere to build a stronger, fairer Canada for all.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I wish everyone celebrating health, joy, and prosperity in the New Year.
“Har Ruz etan Nowrouz, Nowruz etan Pyrouz.”
March 21, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the nomination of Joe Friday for reappointment as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada for a term of 18 months.
Mr. Friday was first appointed to this role in 2015. He joined the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada in 2008 as General Counsel and was Deputy Commissioner from 2011 until his appointment as Commissioner.
With jurisdiction over most federal public sector organizations, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Crown corporations, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada works to strengthen accountability and oversight of government operations. This includes investigating wrongdoing in the federal public sector and helping protect whistleblowers and those who participate in investigations from reprisal. The Commissioner reports directly to Parliament. The Office is an independent federal organization that was created in 2007 under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.
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“Over the past seven years, Mr. Friday has worked in an independent and objective manner to support accountability across the federal public sector. I thank him for his commitment to this office in service of Canadians and I am pleased to nominate him for reappointment for a term of 18 months.”
Quick Facts
- The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament, appointed under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act for a term of seven years. The Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is eligible to be re-appointed for a further term of not more than seven years.
- The reappointment will be made by the Governor in Council after consultation with the leader of every party in the House of Commons and the leader or facilitator of every party and group in the Senate, and after approval by resolution of both Houses of Parliament.
- As an Officer of Parliament, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner investigates wrongdoing in the federal public sector and helps protect persons who make disclosures and who participate in investigations from reprisals. The mandate of the Office is to establish a safe, confidential and independent mechanism for public servants or members of the public to disclose potential wrongdoing in the federal public sector.
Biographical Note
Associated Links
- Governor in Council appointments
- Meet Joe Friday
- Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
March 21, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, will travel to Brussels, Belgium, from March 23 to 25, 2022, to engage with European Union, NATO and G7 leaders to build on our coordinated response to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
On March 23, the Prime Minister will address the European Parliament where he will speak on peace and security, defending democracy, and transatlantic cooperation for the benefit of people in Canada and the European Union. This will be the Prime Minister’s second address to the European Parliament on the close Canada-European Union partnership.
On March 24, the Prime Minister will meet with leaders from Allied countries at the NATO Summit to further coordinate support for Ukraine, and discuss further strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence measures.
The Prime Minister will then attend the G7 Heads of State and Government Meeting where leaders will discuss the current situation in Ukraine and its wider global impacts, including food security and energy supply.
While in Belgium, Prime Minister Trudeau will meet with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Prime Minister Trudeau travelled to the United Kingdom, Latvia, Germany, and Poland earlier this month to continue building key partnerships to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While in Europe, the Prime Minister announced more support for Ukraine including new sanctions against Russia, additional humanitarian aid, and the provision of more military equipment to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister continues to engage with world leaders on a regular basis to support Ukraine as it defends its people, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity from this illegal and unjustifiable invasion.
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“Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine is an attack on democracy, international law, human rights, and freedom. Canada is working in close collaboration with our allies and partners in defending democracy against authoritarianism and standing with the Ukrainian people.”
