Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau

 President of the United States Joe Biden to visit Canada

March 9, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, will visit Canada on March 23 to 24, 2023 to continue working closely together to strengthen trade ties, create good jobs, grow the middle class, and drive economic growth that benefits everyone on both sides of the border. They will also continue to increase collaboration on defence and security, climate action, and immigration.

With the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement as the foundation, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden will underscore the importance of our mutually beneficial economic relationship to bolster competitiveness and build resilient supply chains, including on critical minerals – the building blocks for the clean economy. They will also discuss the progress made under the February 2021 Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership to advance bilateral cooperation on shared priorities including taking ambitious climate action and advancing countries where no one is left behind.

Keeping North Americans safe from new and emerging threats requires a coordinated response. During the visit, the Prime Minister and the President will highlight ongoing cooperation on continental defence, including NORAD’s key role in defending North America. They will also advance cooperation in the Arctic.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden will also continue to cooperate on global issues of mutual interest including continuing their unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s war of aggression and advancing solutions to the broader global impacts of the war like food and energy security. They will also continue to support the people of Haiti and Haitian-led efforts to address the ongoing crisis. The leaders will further commit to advancing our countries’ shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, including national security, economic prosperity, respect for international law and human rights, democratic values, public health, and protecting our environment.

Canada and the United States are steadfast partners in upholding democracy, human rights, and respect for the rule of law, and we will always work together to defend these shared values in our countries and beyond.

Quote

“Canada and the United States are allies, neighbours, and most importantly, friends. As we face increasing global uncertainty, we will continue working together as we defend our continent and our shared values, create more opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the border, and build strong economies as reliable suppliers as we move toward a net-zero world. I look forward to welcoming President Biden to Canada.”

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• This will be President Biden’s first in-person visit since becoming president.
• Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden have met on numerous occasions since the President’s inauguration in January 2021, including the first bilateral (virtual) meeting in February 2021, and again in November 2021, in Washington DC, in June 2022, in Los Angeles and in January 2023, at the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City. They have also met on the margins of several international summits and meetings. 
• He will be joined by the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden.
• During his visit, the President will make an address to Parliament.
• Canada and the U.S. share the longest land border in the world, which is close to 9,000 km in length.
• It is estimated that around 400,000 people crossed the Canada-United States border every day (pre-pandemic) and that there were about 800,000 Canadian citizens living in the United States in 2021.
• Canada and the U.S. share one of the largest trading relationships in the world, with over $1 trillion in bilateral trade in goods and services in 2021, making Canada the largest U.S. trading partner in goods and services.
• Canada and the U.S. are each other’s top sources of imported energy.
• In February 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau and U.S. President Biden launched the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, which lays out an ambitious framework to grow our economies, strengthen the middle class, and build a healthier future.
• In 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau and U.S. President Biden established the Canada-U.S. Supply Chain Working Group which strengthens bilateral supply chain security and resilience and reinforces our deeply interconnected and mutually beneficial economic relationship.
• The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is one of the largest free trade regions in the world, generating economic growth and helping to raise the standard of living for the people of all the member countries.
• Canada and the United States work closely in multilateral fora, such as: Arctic Council, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), G20, G7, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Organization of American States (OAS), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations (UN) and World Trade Organization (WTO).

Associated Links

• Canada and United States Relations
• Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
• Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership

Statement by the Prime Minister on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Women’s Day:

“Each and every day, women and girls help shape Canada into a fairer and stronger country. As we mark International Women’s Day, we celebrate and recognize the achievements of women and girls in Canada and reaffirm our commitment to removing systemic barriers to advance gender equality in Canada and around the world.

“This year’s theme, Every Woman Counts, is a reminder that all women, from all ages and walks of life, have a place in every aspect of Canadian society. With a disturbing recent rise in anti-transgender hate here in Canada, we reiterate today that trans women are women and we will always stand up to hate whenever and wherever it occurs.

“When we invest in empowering women and girls, we help entire families, communities, and societies succeed. That is why increasing women's participation in the work force and closing the gender wage gap has long been a key priority for the Government of Canada, and why supporting and empowering women and girls will continue to be at the heart of the decisions we make.

“Last year, labour force participation for working-age women in Canada reached a record-high 85 per cent. This was bolstered by our Canada-wide early learning and child care system, which is already delivering $10-a-day child care in nearly half of Canadian provinces and territories and has reduced fees by at least 50 per cent in all other jurisdictions, with work on track to reach $10-a-day across the country in just three years. In addition, we launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which has provided funding to address systemic barriers to women’s equality and advance their full and equal participation in the economy through greater access to financing, mentorship, and training. By enabling more women, especially mothers, to participate in the workforce, and by advocating for gender parity at the management level through programs like the 50 – 30 Challenge, we build better futures for everyone.

“Internationally, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy continues to guide our efforts to advance gender equality around the world. In 2021-22, Canada allocated 99 per cent of its bilateral international development assistance toward initiatives that either targeted or integrated gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This included funding to tackle gender-based discrimination and to provide access to sexual and reproductive health services to ensure women and girls can exercise their right to make decisions about their own bodies. It also included funding to help more women start a business or secure decent work. Canada is committed to supporting the efforts of women leaders and feminist groups that work tirelessly and bravely to promote peace and protect the rights of women and vulnerable groups, including through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program and the co-creation of the Alliance for Feminist Movements. Working with our international partners, we will continue to make gender equality a priority, for the benefit of women, girls, and all people around the world.

“On this International Women’s Day, I invite all Canadians to amplify the voices of women and girls, celebrate their enormous contributions in every aspect of Canadian society, and stand up for a more equal and equitable world.”

Statement by the Prime Minister on Holi

March 8, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Holi:

“Today, we join Hindu communities in Canada and around the world to celebrate Holi.

“Also known as the Festival of Colours, Holi is a bright and joyous celebration to mark the end of winter and the arrival of spring, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. On this day, people gather in the streets to sing, dance, and splash coloured water and powders on one another. Families and friends will also spend quality time together, share seasonal delicacies, and look forward to new beginnings with optimism and hope.

“This happy occasion is an opportunity for everyone in Canada to celebrate the diversity that makes us strong and to recognize the many contributions that Hindu communities from coast to coast to coast have made and continue to make to our country.

“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating Holi good fortune, health, and a fun-filled festival.

“Holi Hai!”

Taking further action on foreign interference and strengthening confidence in our democracy

March 6, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Canada’s democracy is among the strongest, most stable in the world. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has taken significant action to combat foreign interference, while strengthening our institutions and our democracy, including protecting our elections from foreign threats. Any attack, or attempted attack, on our democracy is unacceptable and something we take very seriously.

Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced further action to combat foreign interference and uphold confidence in our democratic institutions:

• He has asked the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) to complete a review to assess the state of foreign interference in federal electoral processes. The NSICOP is well placed to look at foreign interference attempts that occurred in the 43rd and 44th federal general elections, including potential effects on Canada’s democracy and institutions, and have their findings and recommendations reported to Parliament.
• He spoke to the Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) about a review of how Canada’s national security agencies handled the threat of foreign interference during the 43rd and 44th federal general elections, specifically around the flow of information from national security agencies to decision makers. Given it is an external and independent body, the NSIRA will appropriately set its own mandate and scope of study in the coming days. Their findings will also be reported to Parliament.

The Prime Minister also announced that in the coming days we will appoint an eminent Canadian to the position of Independent Special Rapporteur, who will have a wide mandate to make expert recommendations on protecting and enhancing Canadians’ faith in our democracy. In the coming weeks, the Independent Special Rapporteur will be responsible for informing the work of the NSIRA and the NSICOP and any other existing processes and investigations that may be carried out by independent bodies like Canada’s Commissioner of Elections and identify gaps that may still remain in the oversight and protection of our democracy. The Independent Special Rapporteur will make public recommendations, which could include a formal inquiry or some other independent review process, and the Government of Canada will abide by the recommendation.

Together, these measures will give us a better understanding of what happened in the last two federal general elections: how foreign governments tried to interfere, how security agencies in Canada responded to the threat of interference, and how the information flowed across government.

The Prime Minister today also announced a series of new measures to take immediate action to combat the threat of foreign interference. The Government of Canada is:

• Launching public consultations later this week to guide the creation of a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry in Canada to ensure transparency and accountability from people who advocate on behalf of a foreign government and ensure communities who are often targeted by attempts at foreign interference are protected.
• Establishing a new National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator in Public Safety Canada to coordinate efforts to combat foreign interference.
• Developing a plan to address outstanding recommendations from the NSICOP, the independent assessment of the Protocol (Rosenberg Report), and other reviews on these matters, within the next 30 days.
• Investing $5.5 million to strengthen the capacity of civil society partners to counter disinformation.

Upholding and strengthening our democracy takes constant work. This work transcends any politician and any government because the institutions we put in place must outlive any of us. We will continue to work to strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure our elections remain free and fair for generations to come.

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“As a government, it’s our job to protect our institutions and everyone who calls Canada home. Today, we’re taking even further action to protect our democratic institutions, to defend their integrity, and to uphold and strengthen confidence in our democracy. We will always take foreign attempts at undermining our democracy very seriously.”

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• In 2017, we introduced legislation to create the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), made up of Members of Parliament from each party and Senators with top-secret security clearance to review national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada. It was modelled on similar approaches taken by our international partners and has since reviewed and provided recommendations on issues concerning national security, like cyber attacks. In 2019, the NSICOP completed a review of foreign interference in Canada and published it in their 2019 annual report.
• In 2019, we introduced legislation to create the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), made up of top independent experts, to strengthen independent scrutiny and national security accountability in Canada. The NSIRA independently reviews all Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to ensure are lawful, reasonable, and necessary, and provides recommendations to the Government of Canada.
• As part of the Plan to Protect our Democracy, starting with the 2019 election, we established the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (the Protocol), which is administered by a panel of the most senior federal public servants who, working with national security agencies, are responsible for communicating with Canadians in the event of an incident or series of incidents that threaten the integrity of a federal election.
• In both the 2019 and 2021 federal general elections, the panel reported that while foreign inference attempts existed, the elections unfolded with integrity.
• The Protocol includes an independent assessment which, in both 2019 and 2021, reiterated the panel’s findings that these elections were free and fair.
• The government also created the Security and Intelligence Threats to Election (SITE) Task Force, composed of officials from the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Global Affairs Canada. The SITE Task Force works to identify and prevent covert, clandestine, or criminal activities from influencing or interfering with the electoral process in Canada. 
• Canada established the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix to help G7 countries identify and respond to diverse and evolving foreign threats to democracy.
• We have also taken a series of other measures to bolster our institutions:
  • In 2018, we strengthened our elections financing laws to keep foreign money out of our elections;
  • In 2019, we launched the Digital Citizen Initiative to help people better understand and identify online disinformation;
  • We introduced new legislation to protect our cyber security.

Associated Links

• National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
• National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
• Protecting democracy
• Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force
• Rapid Response Mechanism

The Prime Minister announces a change in the senior ranks of the Public Service

March 7, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following change in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

• Jean-François Fortin, currently Executive Director, Enforcement, Autorité des marchés financiers, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, effective March 27, 2023.

Biographical Note

• Jean-François Fortin

Joint press release on the occasion of the visit to Canada of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

March 7, 2023
Kingston, Ontario

1. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a two-day visit to Canada from March 6 to 8. During the visit, the Leaders drove progress on shared and urgent priorities, including maintaining a robust response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine; fighting climate change and accelerating clean innovation; pursuing energy security and sustainable economic growth; and promoting women’s economic empowerment.

Ukraine

2. Noting the one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s successful defence against Russia’s illegal full-scale war of aggression, the Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They condemned Russia’s egregious violations of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, from the indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children and torture of prisoners of war. The Leaders agreed on the need to ensure accountability for atrocities committed, including war crimes. They reiterated their support for international accountability efforts, including investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and the Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council.
3. The Leaders affirmed the continued importance of timely military support for Ukraine, and highlighted the training provided to the Security Forces of Ukraine by both the European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine and Canada’s training mission, Operation UNIFIER. Prime Minister Trudeau announced during the visit that the engineering training component of the mission will be extended until October 2023 and that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will now provide advanced combat medic training.  Leaders also noted the broader cooperation between Canada and the EU on security and defence, including Canada’s ongoing participation in Permanent Structured Cooperation projects. The Leaders reaffirmed the continued importance of close collaboration between NATO Allies and the EU in the context of providing unwavering support to Ukraine. The leaders visited the Canadian Forces Base Kingston to meet with CAF personnel who have deployed to Central and Eastern Europe as part of Operation REASSURANCE to support humanitarian efforts for Ukrainian refugees through Task Force Poland.
4. With Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure causing substantial damage to Ukraine's electrical grid, the Leaders recognized the urgency of providing much-needed energy equipment. The Government of Canada has worked closely with Canadian industry through Electricity Canada to obtain items identified as priorities, including seven transformers that will be shipped shortly through the EU's civil protection operation (rescEU energy hub). Canada appreciates that the EU has given Canada access to this hub, which will also support the future delivery of a growing list of equipment for Ukraine. The EU also continues its substantial mobilisation of civil protection strategic rescEU reserves of generators and transformers for Ukraine.
5. The leaders underscored their intention to continue to work together, along with G7 partners and many others, to increase coordination on sanctions, their enforcement, and export controls restrictions. The Leaders announced Canada’s designation as a Partner Country for EU’s sanctions regulations against Russia, resulting in better exchange of information and best practices to more effectively enforce existing and future sanctions.
6. With the effects of Russia’s full-scale invasion felt around the world with rising inflation, increasing supply chain instability, and food and energy insecurity, the Leaders committed to find practical ways to mitigate impacts, especially for the most vulnerable.Building on close EU-Canada coordination in the response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Leaders welcomed the forthcoming signature of an administrative arrangement allowing closer cooperation on disaster response and emergency management, sharing best practices to enhance prevention, preparedness, and coordination on natural and human-induced disasters including in third countries.
7. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee. The European Commission and Canada will continue to coordinate further related support and provide assistance to Ukraine's most affected neighbours.
8. The Leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. Ukraine, Canada, the EU and other partners have established the G7 Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform to address Ukraine’s immediate and long-term needs. Recognizing the importance of mine action for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, Canada is joining the EU and committing an additional $3 million to support an initiative to clear land mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine, complementing the over $32 million that Canada is already providing to support mine action in Ukraine. The EU is providing 43 million euros for the same purpose. Additionally, Canada welcomed the EU’s June 2022 decision to grant candidate country status to Ukraine, opening a pathway for accession to the EU and serving as a key driver for advancing Ukraine’s reform agenda.

Democracy and Disinformation

9. Recognizing that disinformation poses a fundamental threat to peace, security, and democracy, the Leaders agreed to further Canada-EU collaboration to counter foreign threats to democracy, including disinformation, through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism. Canada and the EU will continue co-leading efforts towards developing a framework of operational principles to guide collective responses to foreign information manipulation and interference. Canada and the EU will also continue to support democratic governance globally, including through Canadian participation in EU Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs). The leaders reiterated their commitment to combat inequalities and discrimination by protecting human rights defenders and civil society organisations, and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Climate, Biodiversity, and Green Economies

10. The Leaders committed to accelerate work towards climate resilient, nature-positive, circular, net-zero emissions economies, and to create good jobs for workers on both sides of the Atlantic. Canada and the EU will continue working closely together to drive global progress on climate change at COP28, and to ensure an ambitious implementation of the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at COP15 in Montreal, recognizing the importance of tackling the interlinked climate and biodiversity crises together. Acknowledging that trade, investment, and policy reform are the key drivers of sustainable development and a green economy, the Leaders highlighted the vital role that the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) play in this regard.
11. Prime Minister Trudeau also welcomed the European Commission’s intention to work towards participating in the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, an initiative launched by the Prime Minister at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, which aims to triple the percentage of global emissions covered by carbon pollution pricing to 60 per cent by 2030.
12. The Leaders committed to further deepen our climate, environmental, and energy engagement, working towards the establishment of a Green Alliance between the EU and Canada, in order to grow economies that are climate-neutral, circular and resource-efficient in the coming decades. They looked forward to the High Level Dialogue on Climate this year, which will be an important step towards forming the Alliance.
13. The Leaders committed to exploring how Canada and the EU can improve collaboration in advancing low-carbon manufacturing, including of steel and aluminum, through bilateral and multilateral forums.

Reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy and raw materials

14. The Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to creating good jobs, delivering energy security, and leading on clean energy.
15. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring the security of supply of critical minerals and related value chains, both essential to building a net-zero and digital economy. The EU and Canada have strong cooperation in this area, including through the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials. This collaboration is helping to deliver new trade and investment opportunities, while supporting the highest environmental and social standards and building research and innovation partnerships.
16. The Leaders visited Li-Cycle, a leading Canadian lithium-ion battery recycler that is creating a secondary supply of critical battery materials to meet increasing demand in North America and Europe. Together, Canada and the EU are building a stronger, strategic alignment on the full product cycle of clean technologies and other advanced manufacturing and recycling sectors.
17. Energy security in Europe remains a common objective as Russia continues to use energy as a political and economic weapon. Recognizing the essential role that clean hydrogen will play in decarbonizing our economies and in meeting global energy needs, the Leaders agreed to work together to lay the foundation for the development of reliable hydrogen supply chain between Canada and the EU as well as to develop common approaches to standards and the certification of hydrogen. They also expressed their strong intention to collaborate further on hydrogen and announced an enhanced Canada-EU action plan to advance the commercialization of the hydrogen industry and develop transatlantic trade.
18. The Leaders also committed to continuing to collaborate through the Canada-EU Working Group on Energy Transition and LNG that they announced in March 2022. This Working Group is developing sustainable medium-term solutions on key resources and energy that Canada can supply to the EU like hydrogen and critical minerals, as well as the global supply of resources like LNG.
19. Acknowledging the need to ensure security of supply in the nuclear sector and diversify existing supplies away from unreliable partners, the Leaders agreed to work together to assess and secure the supply of uranium and of nuclear fuel services on both sides of the Atlantic.
20. The Leaders also committed to continuing collaboration under the Canada-EU High Level Energy Dialogue to reduce methane emissions from the oil, gas and coal sectors, thus implementing the Global Methane Pledge and the Joint Declaration from Energy Importers and Exporters adopted at COP27.

Economy, Technology, and Research

21. The Leaders acknowledged the fifth anniversary of CETA in 2022, noting the comprehensive and inclusive free trade agreement’s positive impact in expanding economic growth and boosting job creation for both Canada and the EU. In 2022, bilateral trade in goods reached CAD 106 billion/EUR 77 billion, 66 per cent higher than pre-CETA levels in 2016. CETA is an example of Canada and the EU’s commitment to rules-based international trade and to reinforcing strategic industrial links at a moment of geopolitical instability. With this, the Leaders welcomed the recent ratifications of CETA by Germany and the Netherlands, and encouraged other Member States to ratify in the near future. The Leaders also spoke about how to continue collaborating on trade and sustainable development, including increasing trade involving small and medium-sized businesses and diverse communities. In support of this, the Leaders met with Canadian and European industry leaders, highlighting their contributions to the Canada-EU commercial relationship.
22. The Leaders emphasized the role of the digital economy and emerging technologies in advancing sustainable economic growth. As part of their commitment to further digital cooperation, the Leaders committed to pursuing an EU-Canada Digital Partnership with a focus on, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, research and innovation on next-generation networks, as well as greater cooperation on international connectivity and cyber security. This Digital Partnership builds on the already strong foundation of cooperation under the Canada-EU Digital Dialogue, where Canada and the EU are collaborating on emerging digital priorities such as online platforms regulation and emerging technologies, including AI and Quantum.
23. The Leaders also addressed the need for strong and sustained collaboration between researchers, institutions, industry, and governments to advance the frontiers of science and innovation. To that end, the Leaders looked forward to the conclusion of negotiations for Canada to become an associate member of Horizon Europe, the world’s largest collaborative science, technology, and innovation program.

Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls

24. Recognizing that women and girls play an invaluable role in building a more peaceful and inclusive future, the Leaders reaffirmed their strong support to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity.
25. They committed to further Canada-EU collaboration in ensuring that the goals and targets on gender equality are effectively implemented. To that end, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada will provide $7.5 million to the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change, and an additional $2 million to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, which supports civil society and women-led solutions to gender-based violence. The EU has been supporting both initiatives with respectively EUR 19.5 million and EUR 24 million notably through the Spotlight Initiative.
26. The Leaders also committed to take concrete steps supporting women’s rights organizations and their critical role in advancing gender equality, human rights, and democracy. Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed the EU’s intention to join the Alliance for Feminist Movements, a global alliance focused on increasing financial and political support for women’s rights organizations and feminist movements.
27. Prime Minister Trudeau also welcomed the EU’s intention to become a member of the Equal by 30 Campaign, led by Canada, committing to work towards equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women in the energy sector by 2030.
28. Finally, both Leaders highlighted the strengthened Canada-EU collaboration from increasing trade through CETA to promoting democracy and human rights around the world. Reflecting the strength our relationship, President von der Leyen addressed Parliament in the House of Commons to highlight the unique ties between Canada and the EU and to mark International Women’s Day, the following day on March 8. The Leaders look forward to deepening Canada-EU collaboration on these and other topics at the next Canada-EU Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by Canada in 2023.

Statement by the Prime Minister on Purim

March 6, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Purim:

“Tonight at sundown, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will celebrate the start of Purim.

“Purim celebrates the survival of Jewish people against the persecution of the ancient Persian Empire. It is a time to rejoice in the strength, perseverance, and resilience of Jewish communities around the world, and to remember that a small group of people can make a big difference.

“On this happy holiday, Jewish communities mark the moment when sorrow became joy and mourning became celebration. It is a day filled with delight, when loved ones gather to read from the Book of Esther, children dress up and play, and families enjoy festive meals and donate food baskets to those in need.

“Today is also an opportunity for us all to reflect on the important and wide-ranging contributions Jewish communities in Canada have made – and continue to make – to this country. As Jewish communities around the country celebrate the triumph of joy over fear, we reaffirm our commitment to choose love over hate. The Government of Canada will continue to work to combat antisemitism, discrimination, and hatred in all forms, and to promote and protect the human rights of all, here in Canada and around the world. Together, we can build a better, more inclusive future, free from fear, for everyone.”

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I wish a happy Purim to all those celebrating.

“!חג פורים שמח

“Chag Purim Sameach!”