Statement by the Prime Minister on Philippine Independence Day
June 12, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Philippine Independence Day:
“Today, we join Filipino communities in Canada, the Philippines, and around the world to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence.
“Nearly one million people of Filipino origin call Canada home today – and every year, this number grows. Filipino-Canadians enrich our country, forming an invaluable part of its cultural mosaic. The strong ties between our peoples serve as the foundation for our collaboration internationally.
“Since the establishment of Canada’s diplomatic relations with the Philippines in 1949, we have become partners in promoting our common values and priorities – from advancing peace and security and standing up for human rights and the rule of law, to growing our economies to benefit people in Canada and the Philippines alike.
“Today, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the important contributions that members of the Filipino-Canadian community have made – and continue to make – to our country. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating Philippine Independence Day, here in Canada and around the world.
“Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!”
June 11, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Public Service Week, which runs from June 11 to 17:
“Today, I join Canadians in marking the start of National Public Service Week – a time to recognize the hard work, dedication, and commitment of over 300,000 public servants across Canada who work to better the lives of Canadians day in and day out.
“Canada’s public service keeps our country moving. From providing essential services that all Canadians depend on to helping with the rising cost of living to responding to emerging international crises to supporting the delivery of key initiatives like $10-a-day child care and our ambitious Climate Plan, Canada’s world-class public service continues to meet our country’s evolving needs.
“Through the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, we are supporting the career development of Indigenous, Black, and racialized employees. And in Budget 2023, we made investments to continue building an inclusive and equitable public service – including the creation of a Mental Health Fund for Black public servants and the establishment of dedicated career development programs. There is still more work to be done to address barriers in the workplace, and together we can build a public service that represents Canada’s diversity and continues to deliver the services that Canadians rely on daily.
“To the federal public service’s scientists, administrative assistants, analysts, and everyone in between, I thank each and every one of you for your dedication to serving Canadians from coast to coast to coast. You help make Canada the country we know and love.”
June 10, 2023
Kyiv, Ukraine
Slava Ukraini – as Canadians say these words, we pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Kyiv, Ukraine. He was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland.
During his visit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s ongoing solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to fight Russia’s brutal invasion while facing unconscionable Russian strikes on civilian targets.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Trudeau visited Saint Michael’s Square to lay a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine and pay tribute to the thousands of Ukrainians who have been killed, and the millions displaced. The Prime Minister also addressed the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the country’s parliament, and visited the Lisova Poliana Veterans Mental Health Rehabilitation Center to meet with soldiers.
In the wake of escalating strikes on civilian targets, and as Ukraine continues to stand strong, the Prime Minister and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a bilateral meeting. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy reaffirmed the two countries’ partnership with a Canada and Ukraine Joint Declaration. While in Ukraine, the Prime Minister also met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.
Today, the Prime Minister announced additional measures and investments to continue supporting Ukraine, including:
- Military Assistance for Ukraine: Canada is committed to respond to Russia’s ongoing illegal and unprovoked invasion by continuing to provide immediate military support to Ukraine such as:
- $500 million in new funding for military assistance to support Ukraine’s capacity to respond to Russian aggression.
- Operation UNIFIER will be extended to 2026, providing significant capacity for the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to urgent Ukraine training needs.
- Canada will contribute to multinational efforts to train pilots, and maintain and support Ukraine’s F-16s, leveraging Canadian expertise in these areas.
- Canada will also be contributing to the Leopard 2 tank maintenance centre in Poland.
- Canada will provide 288 AIM-7 missiles to be repurposed in the United States for use in air defence systems, which will support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its skies.
- From existing funding, Canada will provide 10,000 rounds of 105mm ammunition to Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Canada has already delivered 78 vehicles to Ukraine and the next 122 Roshel vehicles will be delivered in the coming weeks.
- Sanctions and economic measures: Building on Canada’s leading work on seizure of assets from those responsible for, and benefitting from, Russia’s acts of aggression, Canada is committed to imposing additional sanctions.
- Canada was the first in the G7 to pass legislation allowing us to pursue the seizure and forfeiture of sanctioned Russian assets. As part of our world-leading efforts, Canada is seizing an Antonov 124 cargo aircraft, previously operated by Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr and beginning the judicial phase of the forfeiture process.
- In direct response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine’s cultural sites, institutions, and identity, Canada is imposing new sanctions against 24 individuals and 17 entities in Ukraine as part of the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations.
- Humanitarian Assistance Response to the breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam: The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam illustrates once more the devastating price borne by civilians for Russia’s invasion. Canada is allocating $10 million in new funding for immediate response to the catastrophe and redirecting $37.5 million in previously earmarked funds for Ukraine to support organizations responding to the needs of people in flood-affected regions. Canada is also committed to providing additional resources for post-flood reconstruction.
- Mental Health: To respond to the lasting mental health toll of the war on Ukrainian citizens, Canada is funding projects to support mental health initiatives in Ukraine. This includes:
- Civil Society and Volunteer-Based Psychological Resource Group: Canada will allocate approximately $64,000 to support individuals in the Dnipro region facing mental health challenges.
- Education for Resilience: Canada will allocate approximately $52,000 to support teachers and children in war-affected regions of Ukraine through educational courses and mentorship.
- War trauma: Canada will allocate approximately $50,000 towards the “Healing of war traumas for the local leaders of communities in Ukraine” educational programme.
- Phoenix NeuroRoom – Psychosocial Support: Canada will allocate over $99,500 to help medical personnel in the Kharkiv region cope with traumatic war experiences.
The investments announced today build on Canada’s commitment of over $8 billion in funding towards financial, military, humanitarian, development, and immigration assistance to Ukraine. In addition, Budget 2023 extends a $2.45 billion loan to the Government of Ukraine for this year, with the aim to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Canada is committed to continue working closely with NATO Allies, EU, and G7 partners, as well as the broader international community to coordinate its response measures and support for Ukraine, and hold President Putin and those complicit in his unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war, accountable. Canada has strongly condemned Russia’s brutal invasion bilaterally, as well as at the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, and other multilateral forums, and will continue to do so.
Canada will always stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians as they fight authoritarianism and continue to defend their freedoms, independence, and democracy.
Quotes
“At this pivotal moment, we reaffirm that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Today, I have met brave women and men who are fighting for their country, for their lives, and for the very values that people in democracies around the globe hold dear. In the face of the atrocities of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war, Ukrainians’ strength and bravery is a beacon to the world. I would like to thank President Zelenskyy for the unwavering example he sets for us all. Today, Canada committed to further military assistance, sanctions, and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Again, we send out this message - Canada will stand by the people of Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”
“In fighting for their lives and their sovereignty, the brave people of Ukraine are also fighting Canada’s fight – the fight for democracy. Putin thought that Kyiv would fall in a week, and that the world’s democracies would be weak and divided. He was gravely wrong. The historic resistance of the Ukrainian people has inspired the world, and Canada will be by Ukraine’s side until they are victorious.”
Quick Facts
- The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announced that the Ukraine Goods Remission Order will be extended until June 9, 2024, to ensure the continued tariff-free import of Ukrainian goods to Canada, including steel and in-quota supply-managed goods.
- Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada’s allies and partners.
- Between 2015 and 2023, the Canadian Armed Forces trained more than 36,000 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine as part of Operation UNIFIER.
- Since February 2022, Canada has committed to over $1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This includes eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks, one armoured recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more.
- Since Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 139,000 Ukrainians. Canada is helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and has put in place support services for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.
Related Products
- Ukraine and Canada Joint Declaration
- Government of Canada orders seizure of Russian-registered cargo aircraft at Toronto Pearson Airport
- Canada extends waiving of tariffs on Ukrainian goods
Associated Links
- Canada-Ukraine relations
- Supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada and the G7
- Sanctions – Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canadian donations and military support to Ukraine
- Budget 2023 Backgrounder: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Affordable Energy, Good Jobs, and a Growing Clean Economy
June 8, 2023
Toronto, Ontario
Every day, LGBTQI+ people around the world face discrimination, persecution, and violence, just because of who they are or who they love. In 2023, we continue to see LGBTQI+ rights under attack – forcing people out of their homes and their communities. Everyone should have the right to be safe, no matter their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. With the number of LGBTQI+ refugees on the rise, the Government of Canada is helping them find a safe home right here in Canada.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Government of Canada is partnering with non-profit organization Rainbow Railroad to protect LGBTQI+ refugees and welcome them to Canada. Through this partnership, Rainbow Railroad will work to identify LGBTQI+ people and their families who are fleeing violence and persecution, and refer them to the Government of Canada for resettlement under the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) Program.
In their new role as a LGBTQI+ referral partner under the GAR Program, Rainbow Railroad will build on the trust and expertise they have already established with LGBTQI+ communities around the world to help more LGBTQI+ people and their families find safety in Canada. The partnership will also provide an example for other resettlement countries who are seeking to provide additional protection for members of LGBTQI+ communities.
Canada has a proud history of helping those most in need of resettlement, including members of LGBTQI+ communities. Today’s announcement reaffirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting the human rights of LGBTQI+ people, at home and abroad, and building a better, more inclusive future for everyone.
Quotes
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and Canada continues to be a destination of choice for people looking to start a new life with new opportunities for them and their families. Together with Rainbow Railroad, we will help LGBTQI+ people start a new, safe chapter here in Canada.”
“In many parts of the world, LGBTQI+ people face severe discrimination and are criminalized just for being who they are. This is why Canada continues to step up and do more to protect the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people. This new partnership with Rainbow Railroad – making us one of the first countries to have such an arrangement with an LGBTQI+ organization – helps Canada continue to be a safe haven for LGBTQI+ people at risk around the world. It will also better equip us to respond to emerging situations anywhere in the world.”
“This partnership represents a landmark milestone in Rainbow Railroad's history. For several years, we have worked tirelessly to advocate for direct referral partnerships with governments around the world. We are delighted that Canada has stepped up as the first country to partner with us in this capacity and hope other countries will follow suit. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. We are proud to work with the Government of Canada to bring even more at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals to safety in Canada.”
Quick Facts
- Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGBTQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. It has helped thousands of LGBTQI+ refugees from around the world escape violence and persecution to find a path to safety, including right here in Canada.
- In addition to this new partnership with Rainbow Railroad, the federal government already supports at-risk LGBTQI+ people from around the world who are referred to Canada by the United Nations Refugee Agency and other referral organizations, as well as those arriving to Canada through the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership.
- Under the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership, the Government of Canada works with the Rainbow Refugee Society to encourage Canadians to sponsor LGBTQI+ refugees by providing start-up costs and three months of income support, while private sponsors provide nine months of income support to LGBTQI+ refugee newcomers and their families. This initiative is strengthening collaboration between LGBTQI+ organizations and the refugee sponsorship community in Canada.
- In 2022, the partnership was expanded in response to the Afghanistan crisis to provide an additional 150 spaces for Afghan refugees between 2022 and 2024. As of May 2023, more than 235 LGBTQI+ refugees arrived through this partnership.
- To make sure LGBTQI+ refugee newcomers and their families, like any other refugees, thrive after they arrive in Canada, the Government of Canada provides funding to settlement service provider organizations that offer programming available to diverse newcomers.
- From 2021 to 2023, Canada also supported the National Network for Enhancing LGBTQI+ Refugee Sponsorship project. The project brought together five organizations who are leaders in LGBTQI+ refugee sponsorship to improve the settlement experiences of LGBTQI+ refugee newcomers in Canada.
- To help support refugees fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, Canada was among the first countries to launch a special humanitarian resettlement initiative for vulnerable Afghans, including LGBTQI+ individuals. Over 16,700 Afghans have already arrived in Canada under this program since August 2021.
- In August 2022, the Government of Canada launched Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan… Building our future, with pride, a whole-of-government approach to address persisting disparities faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities and to build a safer, more inclusive country.
Associated Links
- Rainbow Railroad
- Rainbow Refugee Society
- How Canada’s refugee system works: 2SLGBTQI+ refugees
- Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan… Building our future, with pride
- Prime Minister launches Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan to continue building a more inclusive future, with pride
June 8, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Oceans Day:
“Canada has the longest coastline in the world, and as we celebrate World Oceans Day today, we take time to honour these vast waters that surround us. From sustaining our coastal communities, to providing essential habitats for endangered species, to strengthening our supply chains and creating jobs in the marine sector, our oceans are part of who we are as Canadians.
“The theme for this year’s World Oceans Day – Planet Ocean: tides are changing – reminds us that we have a shared responsibility to protect them for future generations. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to protect our oceans, especially in the face of challenges like pollution and climate change. Over the last decade, we’ve gone from protecting fewer than one per cent of our oceans to helping protect 842,822 square kilometres – about 14.66 per cent – and exceeded our initial protection goal ahead of schedule.
“Collaborative solutions must be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge, and local perspectives. By working together to keep advancing solutions like protecting marine areas that give vital ecosystems a chance to thrive and creating targeted fisheries management conservation measures, the Government of Canada is making huge strides toward its goal to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. And we are championing these goals internationally too, including by stepping up to welcome the world to Canada for COP15 last year, where the 196 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed to an ambitious global framework to protect nature and biodiversity.
“Our ocean and coastal areas are essential to our environment, to our livelihoods, and to our economy. That is why our Oceans Protection Plan – Canada’s largest investment ever in our coasts and waterways – is protecting and restoring vulnerable marine ecosystems, coastlines, and waterways across the country, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, governments, industry, and academia. Canada’s oceans are also home to endangered whale species, many of which play a critical role in the health of our oceans and carry cultural significance for many Indigenous and coastal communities. In Budget 2023, we continued to invest in action to protect endangered whales and their habitats.
“On World Oceans Day, I invite Canadians from coast to coast to coast to reflect on the importance of our oceans, what they mean to our communities, climate, and country, and join with people all over the world to turn the tide toward a healthier marine environment across the planet.”
June 7, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the current wildfire situation and the resulting impact on air quality in Canada and the northeastern United States. Prime Minister Trudeau thanked President Biden for the United States’ support to Canada to help battle the fires, and both leaders acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.
Prime Minister Trudeau noted that this contribution is yet another example of our two countries’ long-standing cooperation and friendship. The two leaders agreed to remain in close and regular contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-United States relations
- Working with the United States to grow our clean economies and create good, middle-class jobs on both sides of our border
June 7, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the nomination of Harriet Solloway as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.
Ms. Solloway is an accomplished legal expert with extensive experience in international administrative law, humanitarian law, and criminal law. Her career includes a variety of roles focused on justice, the rule of law, and peacekeeping, including at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and the United Nations. She has also gained extensive experience in leading reforms, capacity building, and change management.
The role of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada is 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 has jurisdiction over most federal public sector organizations, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Crown corporations, and reports directly to Parliament.
Quote
“I am confident that, through the impartial, evidence-based perspective Ms. Solloway has developed over the course of her career, she will help ensure greater accountability, transparency, and fairness in the government’s operations, for the benefit of all Canadians.”
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 appointment 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.
- The Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada is an independent federal organization that was created in 2007 under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.
Biographical Note
Associated Links
June 5, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Environment Day:
“Today, on the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, I join people in Canada and around the world in recognizing our shared responsibility to protect our planet and fight climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
“Climate change knows no borders, and in Canada, we are seeing its effects firsthand. From wildfires, to flooding, to extreme storms, to melting glaciers, it is clear that we need to keep taking real action. In recent years, the Government of Canada has taken more action than at any other point in Canada’s history to protect our environment, while growing our economy and creating good middle-class jobs. With measures from our Emissions Reduction Plan, which is already cutting pollution and putting us on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we are working to keep our air clean for generations to come. We are securing generational projects to build clean products like made-in-Canada electric vehicles and generate clean power. We put a price on pollution that also puts more money back in the pockets of families, while fighting climate change. And thanks to initiatives like the Oceans Protection Plan and Indigenous-led conservation projects, we are protecting historic amounts of our lands and waters too. Through our continued efforts, Canada is on track to protect 30 per cent of our lands and 30 per cent of our waters by 2030, while championing this goal internationally.
“The theme of this year’s World Environment Day – ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’ – reminds us of the work that remains to be done to end the scourge of plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on the environment, the economy, and health – here in Canada and around the world. Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide, with single-use plastics accounting for about half of that amount. That is why we banned certain harmful single-use plastics. This will eliminate the equivalent of over one million full garbage bags of plastic pollution over the next decade, and we are also developing measures for plastic products to increase recycling rates and keep our environment clean. As a proud member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, Canada continues to work with our international partners on the negotiation of a new, ambitious, and legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution, which aims to end plastic pollution altogether. We look forward to bringing the world together for the fourth session of these negotiations in Ottawa in April 2024.
“On this World Environment Day, I encourage all Canadians to join the global movement to #BeatPlasticPollution, so we can build a clean, healthy future for the next 50 years and beyond.”
