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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
July 8, 2023
Calgary, Alberta
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, to discuss shared priorities.
The Prime Minister noted the devastating wildfire season in the province and underscored the need to work together to keep people safe and address the effects of climate change.
The Prime Minister and the Premier agreed to work together on making life more affordable for Canadians, creating good middle-class jobs, fostering economic growth, and advancing reconciliation. They discussed their desire to collaborate to reduce emissions across sectors and respond to the growing global demand for lower and net-zero emissions energy, including liquefied natural gas, with the objective of achieving carbon neutrality in Alberta and Canada by 2050 while growing the economy. They also reiterated their commitment to establishing a bilateral working group between Canada and Alberta to advance top economic priorities in the energy and resource sectors.
The two leaders spoke about the port strike on the West Coast and reaffirmed their commitment to finding a resolution. They also discussed their shared concerns with mental health and substance use issues, and committed to work collaboratively in these areas.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Smith looked forward to continued cooperation in areas of shared interest.
Associated Links
- Wildfires
- Regional Energy and Resource Tables
- Government of Canada announces mental health supports for Indigenous communities
- Government of Canada announces more than $20 million to help address harms related to substance use in BC and the Prairies
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
July 8, 2023
Calgary, Alberta
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, 2023.
Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s strong support for Sweden’s accession to NATO. The leaders discussed the path forward, agreed to stay in close contact, and looked forward to seeing each other in Vilnius next week.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister to travel to Latvia for bilateral visit and Lithuania for NATO Summit
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Canada-Sweden relations
July 6, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed the following individuals as independent senators to fill vacancies in the Senate:
- Paul Prosper, for Nova Scotia
- Judy White, for Newfoundland and Labrador
Paul Prosper is a Mi’kmaq lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous legal issues. He has been a lifelong advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including in his roles as Chief of the Paqtnkek (Afton) Mi’kmaw Nation and Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
A Mi’kmaq from Flat Bay Band in Newfoundland and Labrador, Judy White is a King’s Counsel lawyer with an extensive career in human rights, Indigenous governance, and legislative matters. She most recently served as Director General within Indigenous Services Canada.
These new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
Quote
“Paul Prosper and Judy White have dedicated their careers to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and I know they will be important voices for their communities, their regions, and all Canadians in the Senate. I am pleased to welcome them as Parliament’s newest independent senators and look forward to continue working with all senators as we build a better future for everyone.”
Quick Facts
- The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Created to counterbalance representation by population in the House of Commons, the Senate not only defends regional interests, it also creates a space for the voices of historically underrepresented groups like Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, and women.
- With today’s announcement, there have been 70 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
- Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- In 2016, the selection process for senators was opened to all Canadians. Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Board is guided by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates.
- Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.
Biographical Notes
Associated Links
- Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
- Senate Appointments Process – Questions and Answers
- Senate of Canada
July 6, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark 10 years since the Lac-Mégantic tragedy:
“A decade ago today, one of the worst rail disasters in Canadian history took place when a freight train carrying crude oil derailed, caught fire, and exploded in the heart of the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The tragedy took the lives of 47 people, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate, and destroyed much of the community’s downtown core.
“On this solemn day, we remember the precious lives that were lost and think of the people of Lac-Mégantic who, 10 years later, continue to display strength and bravery as they endure the long-lasting traumatic impacts of this catastrophe.
“Since the disaster, we have prioritized strengthening rail safety across the country, including by introducing stronger measures and requirements to protect communities living along railway lines. From hiring more Railway Safety and Transportation of Dangerous Goods inspectors, to reducing train speeds, to increasing the rate of inspections, we are making sure Canadians travelling by train or living near a railway are safe. We also reaffirm our commitment to continue working with the Government of Quebec, nearby communities, and local residents toward the completion of the Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project, which will reroute trains away from downtown so that this tragedy never reoccurs.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians to remember those who tragically lost their lives 10 years ago. To the residents of Lac-Mégantic whose lives changed overnight: your resilience is an inspiration to us all. Canadians are, and will always be, with you.”
July 5, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary General reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. While NATO is not a party to the conflict, the leaders discussed how Canada, along with its NATO Allies and partners, will stand with Ukraine in its right to self-defence, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, for as long as it takes.
The leaders exchanged views on the upcoming NATO Leaders’ Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, including on NATO’s multi-year assistance package for Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the Summit. He expressed Canada’s support for Ukraine to become a NATO member as soon as conditions allow for it. The leaders also discussed progress on Sweden’s NATO accession, for which Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his strong support.
The Secretary General expressed appreciation for Canada’s leadership in defence of NATO’s eastern flank. Since 2017, Canada has been leading as the Framework Nation for the multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia, as part of Operation REASSURANCE.
Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Secretary General Stoltenberg for his ongoing leadership and welcomed the extension of his term. The leaders agreed to stay in close and regular contact.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister to travel to Latvia for bilateral visit and Lithuania for NATO Summit
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Operation REASSURANCE
