Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
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April 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Lula spoke of the friendship and historical ties between Canada and Brazil. The two leaders underscored the importance of working together to advance the shared priorities of democracy and human rights, promoting gender equality, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth for all. The two leaders expressed interest collaborating on ambitious climate action, including on biodiversity and environmental protection.
The Prime Minister emphasized Canada’s commitment to working with regional partners within the Americas to address the global impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, supporting Ukraine in the face of this aggression, and preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The two leaders agreed on supporting a robust Haitian-led solution to the current crisis in Haiti.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Lula agreed to stay in close contact and work closely together to advance shared priorities.
Associated Links
- Canada-Brazil relations
- Statement by the Prime Minister on the 200th anniversary of Brazil’s independence
- Canada’s response to the Venezuela crisis
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
April 21, 2023
London, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Mayor of London, Josh Morgan, to discuss shared priorities, including issues related to housing and homelessness, as well as mental health and addictions.
The Prime Minister and the Mayor agreed that collaboration between all orders of government is needed to build more affordable housing. They discussed federal investments under the Housing Accelerator Fund that will provide funding for local governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada.
The two leaders also spoke of the links between health care and homelessness prevention, and discussed London’s approach in developing a whole-of-community response by working with frontline agencies, community support agencies, and the business and development community to create low-barrier hubs of primary care services, mental health services, and supportive housing.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Mayor Morgan agreed to continue working together on these shared priority issues, including growing the economy, creating good middle-class jobs, and making life more affordable for people.
Associated Links
- Building a clean economy with good middle-class jobs
- Working together to improve health care for Canadians
- Building more homes, faster
April 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Ridván:
“Today at sunset, Bahá’í communities in Canada and around the world will come together to celebrate Ridván, a 12-day festival and the holiest time of the Bahá’í calendar.
“This year marks 160 years since the founder of the faith, Bahá’u’lláh, declared that he experienced divine revelation and that he was a Manifestation of God in the Garden of Ridván, which means paradise in Arabic, in Baghdad. The holiday commemorates the beginnings of the Bahá’í faith – one built around the principles of cooperation, reciprocity, service, and unity in diversity. To celebrate, Bahá’ís will gather to feast and honour fellowship, hold conventions, and elect local, national, and international administrative bodies.
“Bahá’ís have a long history in Canada and, today, Bahá’ís in over a thousand communities across every province and territory continue to live out and practise their faith while upholding our shared values of respect, tolerance, and inclusion.
“The Government of Canada is deeply concerned about the injustices endured by members of the faith in Iran, where the escalating campaign to suppress and persecute individuals denies their freedoms of expression, religion, and association and their right to education. We continue to stand up and call on the Iranian regime to end discrimination against minorities in Iran, including the Bahá’í community, one of the largest non-Muslim religious minorities in Iran. We have also helped to settle Bahá’í refugees in Canada, and will continue to call attention to the plight of the Bahá’í community in Iran.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I extend our best wishes for a joyful 12 days of Ridván to all those celebrating in Canada and around the world.”
April 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced he will travel to New York City, United States of America to participate in the Global Citizen NOW summit to advance collective efforts in addressing some of the most pressing global challenges and building a better and more equal world for everyone. The Prime Minister will drive progress toward reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a path forward for Canada and the world that leaves no one behind.
At the summit, the Prime Minister will champion women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights and the empowerment of women everywhere. He will highlight the important work women’s rights organizations, human rights defenders, women peace builders, and young feminists are doing at this critical time when women’s rights are under attack in many places throughout the world.
As co-chairs of the SDG Advocates, a group including academics, politicians, artists, musicians and more from around the world, Prime Minister Trudeau and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, will convene a meeting of the group. They will take stock at the half-way point towards the 2030 goals and work together to raise ambition in the lead up to the SDG Summit in September 2023.
Prime Minister Trudeau will also address the Council on Foreign Relations to build on the success of President Biden’s visit last month by emphasizing the importance of the Canada-United States bilateral relationship and our strong shared interest in building clean economies that benefit everyone on both sides of the border. Engaging with the private sector, investors, and financial leaders in New York, the Prime Minister will promote Canada’s economic outlook, commitment to developing the North American electric vehicle supply chain, and role as a reliable energy supplier and partner, while championing trade and investment opportunities with Canada.
Quote
“Building a future that is fair, equal, and peaceful, with clean air and clean water for everyone, is at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflects the vision of the Global Citizen NOW summit. In New York City, I look forward to advancing our shared progress and advocating for strong global commitments to support gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls everywhere.”
Quick Facts
- In 2015, Canada joined all United Nations (UN) Member States in adopting ambitious goals for sustainable development, as outlined in Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda centres on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encompassing social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Taken together, the SDGs aim to improve the lives of all people, while protecting the planet.
- In February 2021, the Government of Canada released the Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy, which aims to create and foster a whole-of-society approach to accelerate progress on the SDGs, in Canada and abroad. Canada continues to take a gender-responsive approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through its Feminist Foreign Policy, including the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
- Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, were invited by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, to co-chair the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group to raise global awareness of the SDGs and accelerate action toward achieving these goals.
- The Global Citizen NOW summit will take place April 27 and 28, 2023, and will bring together government leaders, private sector executives, grassroots activists, cultural innovators, philanthropic experts, and leading journalists to set a global agenda for action on the most urgent issues facing humanity and the planet.
- Canada and the U.S. share a strong bilateral relationship built over the past 150 years and 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.
Associated Links
- United Nations - Sustainable Development
- Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- SDG Advocates
- Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy
- Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy
- Canada-United States relations
April 21, 2023
St. Thomas, Ontario
From mining critical minerals to building batteries and cars, Canada and Ontario continue to attract historic, transformational investments across the electric vehicle supply chain to secure more good-paying jobs for workers today and for decades to come.
Last month, Canada and Ontario secured a historic investment from Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen is investing $7 billion to establish its first overseas electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. This is the largest electric vehicle-related investment in Canadian history, signaling a strong vote of confidence in Canada and Ontario’s highly-skilled workers, strong economies, and competitive business environments.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, were joined today by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, and Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, to highlight this generational deal for St. Thomas, Ontario, and Canada’s entire electric vehicle supply chain.
The plant, Volkswagen’s largest to date, will create up to 3,000 direct jobs and up to 30,000 indirect jobs. Once complete in 2027, the plant will produce batteries for up to one million electric vehicles per year, bolstering Canada’s domestic battery manufacturing capacity to meet the demand for electric vehicles now and into the future. The plant, which will generate about $200 billion in value, will be the largest manufacturing plant in Canada. Construction is expected to begin next year.
To strengthen and grow St. Thomas and the surrounding communities, Ontario will invest in other important infrastructure projects across the region, including improvements to roads, highways, utility services, and police and fire services.
Since 2020, historic new investments have been made in Ontario by global automakers as well as electric vehicle batteries and battery materials suppliers. From mining critical minerals to building batteries and electric vehicles, Canada and Ontario have the resources and skilled workers to continue leading the world. This means a strong economy, good-paying jobs, and clean air now and into the future.
Quotes
“When we talk about our made-in-Canada plan, we’re talking about creating good, middle-class jobs now and into the future, we’re talking about clean air for our kids and grandkids, and we’re talking about a strong economy that works for all Canadians. That’s what Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas – the largest manufacturing plant in the country once built – is all about. It’s a win for workers, for the community, and for the economy.”
“This investment, the largest auto investment in our province’s history, is a big win for Ontario, the people of St. Thomas and surrounding areas. We’re thrilled to welcome Volkswagen and PowerCo SE to Ontario and thank them for their tremendous confidence in our province, our workers and our growing electric vehicle supply chain. Welcome to Team Ontario, Volkswagen!”
“Today’s announcement is a true testament to our highly skilled workforce and Canada’s strong and growing battery ecosystem. Volkswagen’s decision to establish its first overseas gigafactory in Canada speaks to our country’s competitiveness when it comes to attracting major investments. It is also a vote of confidence in Canada as the green supplier of choice to the world. With Volkswagen and PowerCo SE, our government looks forward to working together toward a cleaner, more sustainable and resilient economy.”
“Last October, we met with Volkswagen in Germany to discuss the possibility of a new EV battery manufacturing facility. Six months later, we’re proud to say this potential will become a reality. Volkswagen’s historic investment will strengthen our end-to-end electric vehicle supply chain and create more good-paying jobs for workers in St. Thomas and across the province. Our government continues to create the right conditions for businesses and workers to succeed now and in the future. Thank you, Volkswagen, for choosing Ontario.”
“North America plays a key role in our global battery strategy. The region will become PowerCo’s second pillar beside Europe, with battery cells made in North America for North America. Gigafactory St. Thomas opens the door to a key market for e-mobility and battery cell production. We aim to make PowerCo a global player in the battery business and to pave the way for clean, sustainable mobility. Gigafactory St. Thomas is an important milestone in our roadmap.”
“We are honoured to partner with Canada, Ontario, and the City of St. Thomas to take the EV industry to a new level. PowerCo was founded in Europe to make a difference in the battery business, offering cutting-edge cell technology and sustainable manufacturing. That includes the creation of up to 3,000 new jobs and great working conditions for our employees in the St. Thomas area. We share the same values and are committed to be a reliable partner for the people in St. Thomas and Ontario.”
Quick Facts
- Canada has committed to providing Volkswagen with production support to match the United States Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, equalling USD$35 per kWh. Just like in the U.S., Canada’s support will only be for what is produced and sold and will phase out by 25 percentage points every year beginning in 2030 (after 2032, the credit would be eliminated). The agreement also has the flexibility to be adjusted should the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit change in the U.S.
- Per battery investment with PowerCo SE ranges between $8 billion and $13.2 billion, depending on production levels. This is a part of an overall electric vehicle battery investment partnership by Canada and Ontario. Projections show that the full economic impact of the project will be equal to the value of government investment in less than five years.
- To support Volkswagen’s investment, the Government of Ontario is providing $500 million in direct incentives to the company, and investing hundreds of millions of dollars more to strengthen and grow St. Thomas and the surrounding communities. This includes infrastructure improvements to roads, railways, water, electricity, and police and fire safety.
- Canada’s automotive sector supports over 500,000 workers, including nearly 100,000 auto plant workers in Ontario, and contributes $16 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product, and is one of the country’s largest export industries.
- Ontario’s auto supply chain is comprised of over 700 parts firms, over 500 tool, die and mold makers, and over 300 connected and autonomous companies. The province is the only place in North America where five major automakers build their vehicles, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.
- Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest automakers with a portfolio of 10 companies.
- Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility will be approximately 370 acres, which is larger than 378 American football fields. The entire industrial and supplier park will be 1,500 acres.
- In August 2022, the Government of Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volkwagen to advance cooperation on electric vehicle battery manufacturing in Canada.
- Since the beginning of 2022, the governments of Canada and Ontario have helped attract other historic investments across our electric vehicle supply chain – from mining to manufacturing – and provided funding to position Canada and Ontario as global leaders in battery manufacturing. This included support to:
- Retool Honda Canada’s manufacturing operations in Alliston, Ontario, to launch the next generation of hybrid-electric vehicles; and
- Modernize automaker Stellantis’ assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, to help the company increase production of electric vehicles.
- Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy is an ambitious and achievable roadmap that outlines a sector-by-sector approach for Canada to reach its climate target of cutting emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to put us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Transportation accounts for about a quarter of our emissions in Canada. That’s why the Government Canada has an ambitious target of 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, coupled with a suite of support measures from charging infrastructure to purchase incentives.
- Phase 2 of Driving Prosperity, Ontario’s 10-year vision for the automotive sector, focuses on transforming the auto sector by building electric, autonomous and connected vehicles and supporting a broader supply chain that includes the exploration, mining and production of critical minerals for the fabrication of electric batteries in Ontario.
Related Products
- Budget 2023 Backgrounder: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Affordable Energy, Good Jobs, and a Growing Clean Economy
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy
- Canada’s Action Plan for Clean On-Road Transportation
- Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector
- 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario
Associated Links
- Government of Canada releases Budget 2023
- Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future
- 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario
- Strategic Innovation Fund
- Canada and Ontario welcome historic investment from Volkswagen
- Ontario Fosters New Opportunities with Trade Mission to Germany and Austria
- Volkswagen Canada
April 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Eid al-Fitr:
“On the first sighting of the new crescent moon, Muslims in Canada and around the world will celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“Eid al-Fitr, also known as the festival of breaking the fast, is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic faith. It is an opportunity for families and friends to spend quality time together, worship as a community, and give to charity. It is also a time to show generosity, gratitude, and compassion – core values that are at the heart of Islam.
“On this day, we recognize the invaluable contributions Muslim communities in Canada have made, and continue to make, to this country. Canada’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and sources of pride.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish a happy and blessed Eid al-Fitr to all those celebrating.
"!عيد مبارك
“Eid Mubarak!”
April 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will visit Canada from April 23 to 26, 2023. He will be joined by Mrs. Elke Büdenbender. During their visit, the President and Mrs. Büdenbender will visit Ottawa, Ontario, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Yellowknife and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. The President will be joined by ministers, Members of Parliament and business leaders.
The Prime Minister and the President will meet to further advance joint efforts to build the resilience of our democracies, economies, and environment. They will step up our collaboration on shared priorities including our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable invasion and addressing the broader global impacts of Russia’s war, like food and energy insecurity. They will work together on ways the two countries can fight climate change and build up clean energy resources, including through secure access to clean hydrogen and critical minerals and strong policies like pollution pricing. The leaders will also highlight our strong trade ties, which are growing our economies and creating good, middle-class jobs in both countries, as well as the close ties between our peoples.
This visit will build on the progress made during last year’s visit from Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, to strengthen the close relationship between Canada and Germany in areas including our support for Ukraine and advancing clean energy. At this critical time, when the world and our people are facing a series of challenges, ranging from a high cost of living to energy and food insecurity, our two countries remain united by our shared values. As likeminded friends and allies, we must keep working closely together – now and into the future.
Quote
“Canada and Germany are close friends – united by our shared values and common interests like upholding democracy, defending human rights, fighting climate change, and making life better for people in our countries and beyond. I look forward to welcoming President Steinmeier to Canada to keep building on our close friendship and partnership.”
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau and President Steinmeier last met during the Prime Minister’s bilateral visit with Chancellor Scholz in Berlin in March 2022.
- The visit of President Steinmeier follows the visits of the Prime Minister Trudeau and Chancellor Scholz to Germany and Canada respectively in 2022.
- In October 2021, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, visited Germany on her first State Visit, where she led the official delegation under Canada’s “Guest of Honour” designation at the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair.
- Canada and Germany benefit from their strong cultural connections and people-to-people ties. Almost 10 per cent of Canadians claim at least partial German ancestry and about 400,000 Canadians travel to Germany each year. A similar number of people travel from Germany to Canada each year.
- Every year, several thousand German students spend a term or full year at a Canadian college, university, or high school. Thousands more young Germans and Canadians travel in each direction for short-term study and research or work as part of the International Experience Canada program.
- Germany is one of Canada’s most important sources of innovative, research, and engineering-intensive investment, with over 820 affiliates operating in Canada, employing nearly 63,000 Canadians. Germany is the 7th largest source of foreign direct investments into Canada.
- In 2022, Germany was Canada’s largest merchandise export market in the European Union, and its seventh-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $30 billion.
- In 2022, Canadian exports to Germany were $7.5 billion, while Canada’s imports from Germany were $22.5 billion. Sectors of interest include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, life sciences, information and communications technologies, and agri-food. Canada’s top merchandise exports include consumer goods, energy products, metal ores and non-metallic minerals, metal and non-metallic mineral products, and electrical and electronic machinery and equipment.
- Investments in Canada by companies like Volkswagen AG advance collaboration across the automotive, battery, and critical minerals sectors. With its subsidiary PowerCo, Volkswagen AG will build its first overseas electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, which demonstrates the strong and growing potential for collaboration in the clean technology space.
- In March 2022, and again in May 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau and Chancellor Scholz agreed to work together to advance adoption and expansion of carbon pricing around the world through Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge and Germany’s Climate Club. In May 2022, both Germany and Canada signed onto the G7 Hydrogen Action Pact.
- Long-standing partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Canada and Germany cooperate closely on security and defence issues, and are also both members of the G7 and G20, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Canada and Germany are doing their part to contribute to NATO activities along NATO’s eastern flank, in particular through their leadership of NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle groups in Latvia and Lithuania, respectively.
- Canada-Germany science, technology, and innovation cooperation is rich, diverse and spans all fields of science from formal cooperation among the academic and research actors to public and private sector. We share many of the same areas of interest such as clean energy and hydrogen, polar research and climate change, quantum and AI, and digital health. The desire and potential for future collaboration is high and will be discussed at the 27th biannual meeting of the Canada-Germany Joint Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation taking place on May 30 to 31 2023, in Ottawa.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister concludes a successful visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- Canada-Germany relations
April 18, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark three years since the mass shooting incident in Nova Scotia:
“Three years ago, on April 18 and 19, 2020, the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history shook Nova Scotia – and all of Canada. On this sombre day, we remember those we lost and hold their memories close to our hearts. Our thoughts go to everyone who was forever impacted by this senseless tragedy.
“In the aftermath of this attack, Canadians across the country united in grief and solidarity. We showed who we are as Canadians by holding vigils to honour the victims and coming together to offer support to those impacted. As we continue to honour those who died, I am inspired by the strength and resilience I’ve seen from the families, survivors, and all Nova Scotians.
“Last month, the Mass Casualty Commission released its final report. As we review and respond to the recommendations under federal jurisdiction, we will work closely with the Government of Nova Scotia and with the people and the communities affected to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. The Government of Canada has already taken action to keep Canadians safe in their communities, and we have invested in better mental health supports – like the Wellness Together Canada portal and the PocketWell app to provide free, 24/7 access to support, ranging from information to connecting with professionals.
“Today, Canadians remember the 22 people, including a woman who was expecting a child, whose lives were cut short on one of the darkest days in Canadian history. We will never forget them. To the people of Nova Scotia: we know the pain, trauma, and heartbreaking loss will never truly go away, but today and every day, we stand with you.”
