April 19, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
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Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Japan, the European Commission, the European Council, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to discuss collective efforts to date, assess the current situation on the ground in Ukraine, and discuss critical actions allies must undertake to effectively support Ukraine.
The leaders denounced Russia’s war crimes and brutality in Ukraine, and promised to hold Russia accountable for its actions, including through the International Criminal Court. They emphasized the importance of allies maintaining the strong, united stand they have taken in support of Ukraine. The leaders also expressed their collective commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister and leaders recognized that it is crucial to maintain financial support to Ukraine in a way that meets its critical needs and adapts quickly to changing circumstances in the country, particularly with regard to food security and humanitarian assistance.
Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized the strength and unity of the NATO Alliance. The leaders agreed to a common approach in supporting Ukraine as it enters the next phase of the war and agreed to continue coordinating closely.
Associated Links
- Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Prime Minister concludes successful visit to Belgium and announces additional support for Ukraine
April 22, 2022
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Everyone in Canada should have a safe and affordable place to call home. To build a better future for everyone, the Government of Canada is building more homes across the country and making housing more affordable for those who need it most.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined today by the Premier of Manitoba, Heather Stefanson, and the Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), Jerry Daniels, to announce a new federal investment of $65 million that will provide almost 300 new, affordable homes for members of local First Nations, including families, Elders, and post-secondary students. This initiative is also supported by a contribution of $35 million from the Province of Manitoba, bringing the total support to $100 million. The new affordable homes will be located in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s (HBC) historic building in downtown Winnipeg, which was gifted to SCO for this revitalization project.
The project, which is tentatively called “Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn” – meaning “it is visible” in Anishinaabemowin – will build a space for economic and social reconciliation, according to SCO. A portion of the units will be culturally safe assisted living units for First Nation Elders, and families living in the converted HBC building and employees working there will have access to high quality, licensed child care. The project is slated to start this fall, with the first residents moving in in fall 2025.
Closing housing gaps for Indigenous Peoples remains a top priority for the Government of Canada. Since 2015, we have committed billions of dollars to support the construction and repair of thousands of houses for Indigenous Peoples across the country. In addition, Budget 2022 proposes more than $4 billion in new funding to create access to safe and affordable housing for Indigenous families. We will continue to work with Indigenous communities across the country to help ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.
Quotes
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. By reimagining the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company building in Winnipeg’s downtown core, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization is helping preserve this historic building, while creating almost 300 much-needed housing units for members of the Southern First Nations in Manitoba.”
“The Manitoba government is proud to support this act of historic reconciliation, by partnering with SCO and Canada on this landmark, Indigenous-led housing and social opportunity for Indigenous Peoples. This unique partnership will see the iconic Hudson’s Bay building transform into a new, vibrant space that will provide Indigenous Peoples with a range of services, including affordable housing for families, Elders, and post-secondary students. This project will also have a positive impact on downtown Winnipeg and supports our commitment to build a brighter future for all Manitobans.”
“Today can be another step forward to a brighter future, one that reflects what our ancestors dreamed of. This project is an act of reconciliation and is our vision to revitalize the heart of Winnipeg’s downtown, for the benefit of all, in line with our traditional, holistic approach to sustainable economic development.”
“As we considered the future for the Winnipeg building, it was important to ensure a sustainable plan for the site that also had meaningful purpose for the City of Winnipeg. HBC’s Truth and Reconciliation journey requires actions that demonstrate our commitment to moving forward together with Indigenous communities. We believe SCO is the right steward for this location and can create a new community landmark that will help advance reconciliation.”
Quick Facts
- The converted HBC building will feature:
- Affordable rental units and market units, including a number of fully accessible ones;
- A health and healing centre including a pharmacy embracing both traditional and western medical practices;
- A First Nations museum, an art gallery, two restaurants, and stores;
- Energy-efficient features that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by 35 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 81 per cent.
- The HBC conversion project is receiving $35 million from the Government of Manitoba to support two initiatives. $10 million is being allocated to support the affordable housing components of the redevelopment project. $25 million is being made available through The Bay Building Fund, administered by The Winnipeg Foundation, to support the preservation of the heritage elements of the HBC building.
- The federal contribution is being provided through the National Housing Strategy’s (NHS) National Housing Co-investment Fund (NHCF), which will provide a $55 million forgivable loan and a $10 million low-cost loan.
- Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $72+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
- Since the creation of the NHS, the Government of Canada has committed over $24.2 billion to support the creation of over 91,000 units and the repair of over 209,000 units, and has provided affordability support for over 172,000 households. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
Related Products
- Budget 2022 Backgrounder: Making Housing More Affordable
- Budget 2022 Backgrounder: Moving Forward on Reconciliation
Associated Links
- Budget 2022
- National Housing Strategy
- National Housing Co-Investment FundStatement by the Prime Minister on the death of Guy Lafleur
April 22, 2022
Ottawa, OntarioThe Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Guy Lafleur:
“I was saddened to hear of the passing of hockey legend, Guy Lafleur. He was unlike anyone else on the ice – his speed, skill, and scoring were hard to believe.
“Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Lafleur enthralled fans across the country and throughout North America in the old Montreal Forum, winning five Stanley Cup championships while playing with the Montreal Canadiens. He went on to play with the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques, becoming only the second player to play in the National Hockey League after induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“As a child, Mr. Lafleur loved the game so much that he would sleep in his hockey equipment so that he could jump on the rink as soon as he woke up. Later in life, his impressive shot and skating prowess earned him the nickname le ‘Démon blond’, and won his adversaries’ admiration, winning him three Lester B. Pearson Awards for most outstanding player, as decided by fellow players. To this day, he remains the all-time points leader of all those who have worn ‘la Sainte-Flanelle’ of the 24-time Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens.
“In 1980, Mr. Lafleur was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was also inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and appointed a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec in 2005.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I wish to express our deepest sympathies to Guy Lafleur’s family and friends. My thoughts are with all who are mourning this tremendous loss – in Quebec, across Canada, and around the world. We’ll miss you, Number 10.”
Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee endorses historic Inuit Nunangat Policy to better support Inuit self-determination
April 21, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
To advance reconciliation, strengthen the Inuit-Crown partnership, and create a more prosperous Inuit Nunangat through meaningful collaboration, the Government of Canada and Inuit leaders have been working closely together through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) since the signing of the Inuit Nunangat Declaration in 2017.
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and President Natan Obed of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, alongside federal Cabinet ministers and the elected Inuit leadership from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation, and the Nunatsiavut Government, endorsed the new, historic Inuit Nunangat Policy at a meeting of the ICPC. This marks the first time the Government of Canada has co-developed an overarching, whole-of-government policy of this nature.
The Inuit Nunangat Policy recognizes Inuit Nunangat – the Inuit homeland – as a distinct geographic, cultural, and political region, encompassing the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. The policy is inclusive of urban areas where Inuit reside. It will help guide the design, development, and delivery of all new or renewed federal policies, programs, services, and initiatives that apply in Inuit Nunangat or benefit Inuit.
With the goal of promoting prosperity and supporting community and individual well-being throughout Inuit Nunangat, the Government of Canada is committing a total of $25 million over five years for the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy. This includes $20 million for projects to accelerate policy implementation in line with Inuit priorities. The Government of Canada and Inuit will continue to work together to implement the policy through a strategic, coordinated, and whole-of-government approach.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister, President Obed, and Committee members also discussed proposed Budget 2022 investments and linkages to ICPC priority areas, in particular a new investment of $845 million over seven years in housing support across Inuit Nunangat. Inuit leadership and ministers also endorsed several new priority areas of work, including international Inuit priorities, monitoring, evaluation, and learning as well as sovereignty, defence, and security.
Today’s endorsement of the Inuit Nunangat Policy is an important step toward supporting Inuit self-determination and ensuring meaningful, Inuit-led solutions to the distinct issues faced by Inuit. The Government of Canada will continue to work with Inuit leadership through the ICPC to build a renewed Inuit-Crown relationship and advance reconciliation based on affirmation of rights, respect, and partnership.
Quotes
“Inuit have unique rights, interests, and experiences. Today’s endorsement of the Inuit Nunangat Policy is the culmination of years of collaboration and will help ensure Inuit priorities and self-determination are part of the government’s programs, policies, and initiatives going forward. This is an important step on the long journey toward reconciliation and we will continue to work together to deliver lasting and meaningful solutions to the issues facing communities across Inuit Nunangat.”The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The Inuit Nunangat Policy has been the centrepiece of our work within the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and we are pleased to see it come to fruition. This policy puts in place the structural change needed for the federal government to effectively respond to the needs of Inuit. It serves as an important step towards Inuit self-determination.”President Natan Obed, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Quick Facts
The Inuit Nunangat Policy outlines an approach for the design and renewal of all federal policies, programs, services, and initiatives that apply in Inuit Nunangat or benefit Inuit. This approach will improve coordination across Inuit Nunangat and ensure engagement with Inuit in these processes.
A guiding principle of the Inuit Nunangat Policy is recognition that federal investments for Inuit and Inuit Nunangat are an important element of the right of Inuit to self-determination and self-government. The Policy directs federal government organizations to consider the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of Inuit in their approach to directly fund Inuit Land Claims Organizations.
Co-developing and implementing an Inuit Nunangat policy has been a priority of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee since March 2020.
The Committee’s current priorities include:
Inuit land claims implementation
Inuktut revitalization, maintenance, protection, and promotion
Inuit Nunangat Policy Space
Reconciliation measures and efforts to end the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
Education, early learning, and skills development
Health and wellness
Environment and climate change
Housing
Infrastructure
Economic development and procurement
Legislative priorities
International Inuit priorities
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning
Sovereignty, defence, and security
Today’s announcement delivers on the commitment set out in Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller’s mandate letter from December 2021 to work with Inuit to finalize a co-developed Inuit Nunangat Policy and accelerate its implementation.
The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee was founded on the principle that an equal partnership between Inuit and the Crown is essential to the reconciliation process. The Committee meets three times a year. Once a year, it is co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
The Committee also includes as permanent participants the presidents of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, the National Inuit Youth Council, and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.
Inuit Nunangat is the Inuit homeland in Canada. It encompasses the land, water, and ice of the Inuit land claim regions of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik in Northern Quebec, and Nunatsiavut in Northern Labrador.
Associated Links
Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee continues progress on shared priorities to support Inuit self-determination and address socio-economic inequity in Inuit Nunangat
Prime Minister of Canada and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announce the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee
Map of Inuit Nunanga
