Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa
January 26, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
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Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa.
Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Siliņa on her appointment in September, and looked forward to continuing to deepen the strong bilateral relations between Canada and Latvia.
The two leaders condemned Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and affirmed their shared commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. They also discussed the regional and global implications of Russia’s actions.
Prime Minister Siliņa expressed appreciation for Canada’s continued leadership as Framework Nation for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Latvia. In addition, Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to work with Allies to scale the combat-capable battle group to brigade size.
The prime ministers also discussed cooperation in addressing other international challenges, including developments in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Siliņa agreed to maintain close collaboration in support of shared priorities, and agreed to remain in regular contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-Latvia relations
- Canada reaffirms our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Roadmap - Scaling the EFP Latvia Battle Group to Brigade
January 26, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day:
“The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in history. Tomorrow, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and pay tribute to the more than six million Jews who were senselessly murdered, and we reaffirm our pledge to never forget.
“On January 27, 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated. Within its confines, over one million Jews had been barbarically murdered. The Nazi genocide of the Jewish people remains the largest in human history, accounting for two thirds of the Jewish population in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti and millions of people belonging to other groups – Slavs, members of the LGBTQI+ community, persons with disabilities, and political opponents – were also targeted by the Nazis. In total, over 11 million people were murdered by the end of the Second World War. Each one of their stories serves as an enduring reminder of the consequences of hate and discrimination.
“In recent months, a sharp, disturbing rise in antisemitism has been felt across the world, including right here at home. The Government of Canada continues to step up to counter hateful behaviours and acts of violence and to keep Canadians safe. Through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, we have supported community organizations to advance anti-racism and multiculturalism. We have also announced new funding to enhance and expand the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program to specifically support communities targeted by hate-motivated crime.
“Through the work of Canada’s new Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, we are helping to ensure the painful lessons of history are remembered both at home and abroad, including through our involvement in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Today, many Holocaust survivors call Canada home, and we remain committed to making our country a safer, more inclusive place for them and their descendants.
“On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I encourage Canadians to learn more about this dark chapter in history, to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and to honour them by standing up against hate in all its forms.
“Together, let us repeat the vow: ‘Never again’.”
January 24, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture:
“Today, on the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture, we honour the rich heritage and important contributions of the African diaspora here at home and around the world.
“African and Afrodescendant cultures are an integral part of Canada. The African diaspora in Canada includes leading scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. In the political realm, it includes leaders in the promotion of human rights, equity, and justice.
“That is why, in 2018, we officially recognized the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent. This initiative, centred on recognition, justice, development, and fighting discrimination, helps us build frameworks to empower the African diaspora and advance our work to combat racism, discrimination, and xenophobia faced by those of African descent in Canada and around the world.
“Our recognition of the Decade was bolstered by initiatives to strengthen the African diaspora in Canada and support their leadership in business, social justice, and community. Since 2019, through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, we have invested in more than 2,300 projects to grow Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving charities and non-profit organizations. Last year, we selected the Foundation for Black Communities to manage the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. The Fund supports charities and non-profit organizations in fighting anti-Black racism and improving social and economic well-being in predominantly Black communities.
“We still have work to do to build a better future for Black communities in Canada. That is why we are renewing Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and creating a new Action Plan on Combatting Hate. With the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we are helping Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs start up, scale up, and succeed – now and into the future.
“With initiatives like the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund, we are helping Black-led and Black-serving businesses and not-for-profit organizations across the country. Promoting equality and empowering Canadians of African descent will remain a key priority.
“On this World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture, I encourage all Canadians to celebrate the rich contributions of African and Afrodescendant communities within and beyond our borders and to help us build a better, fairer, and more inclusive future for everyone.”
January 23, 2024
Montréal, Quebec
We are focused on supporting the middle class and building an economy that works for everyone. Across the country, Canadians are feeling the rising cost of living and struggling to find a place to call home, at a price they can afford. The Government of Canada has been working to provide concrete support to Canadians, put more money back in their pockets, and build the housing we need, faster – and there’s more to do.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and members of Cabinet today concluded their retreat in Montréal, Quebec, where they discussed the progress already made and the work still ahead to continue strengthening the middle class.
Cabinet addressed the importance of continuing to build more homes, faster. Through the Housing Accelerator Fund, we have worked relentlessly with partners across the country to cut red-tape and increase Canada’s housing supply. To date, we have signed 29 Housing Accelerator Fund agreements to help fast-track the construction of almost half a million new homes across Canada over the next decade. The Housing Accelerator Fund is changing the way cities build homes. By reducing the need for lengthy city council approvals, we are speeding up development, building more housing near public transit, and creating greater housing options in cities, including more student housing, rentals, and affordable housing. We are also helping cities modernize infrastructure by digitizing permitting systems, overhauling bylaw approvals, and using city-owned land for new housing.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet discussed ways to further strengthen tools to combat organized crime and keep our communities safe, in response to the rise in auto theft across the country. Auto theft impacts many Canadians and can be a source of revenue for organized crime groups. At the Cabinet retreat, we announced that a National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft will take place in Ottawa on February 8, 2024. Bringing together federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments as well as industry partners, the Summit will help ensure a coordinated, comprehensive response to auto theft – from prevention, to enforcement, to prosecution.
International students are vital to Canada and are an integral part of our communities. Too many students, however, are currently vulnerable to abusive practices – limiting their success and threatening the integrity of our International Student Program. That is why, at the Cabinet retreat, we announced a two-year cap on new study permit applications to stabilize the number of international students in Canada. This is an important step to protect the trust and integrity of our immigration system. It will help us grow the economy and support sustainable population growth, while ensuring those who come to Canada to study can realize their full potential.
Cabinet also discussed ways to strengthen Canada’s relationship with the United States ahead of this fall’s presidential election. The Prime Minister today announced that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François Philippe-Champagne, and the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, will co-lead, along with Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, a renewed Team Canada engagement strategy to promote and defend Canada’s interests in and with the United States. The strategy will bring together experts and leaders in business, labour, and academia, along with provincial and territorial partners, to deepen Canada’s relationship with our closest ally. Modelled off of the successful strategy we led just a few years ago, it will help advance opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities across the country.
We are squarely focused on delivering for the middle class. Since 2015, we have been working hard to put more money back in the pockets of Canadian families through the Canada Child Benefit, tax cuts for the middle class, and $10-a-day regulated child care right across the country. To date, over half of provinces and territories are delivering regulated child care for an average of $10-a-day or less, and fees have been reduced by at least 50 per cent on average in all other jurisdictions. Through the Grocery Rebate, we delivered targeted inflation relief to 11 million Canadians last year. And through the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, we are putting home ownership back in reach, and 500,000 Canadians have already signed up. We will continue to relentlessly fight for Canadians – taking concrete action to grow the middle class and make life better for everyone.
Quote
“Our government’s focus – first, last, and always – is to grow a strong middle class and make life better for Canadians. We’ve delivered action to build more homes, make communities safer, and help Canadians get ahead, but there is more to do. We’ll continue working for Canadians to create good jobs, a strong middle class, and a better, more prosperous future for everyone.”
Quick Facts
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27. It is designed to help cities, towns, and Indigenous governments unlock new housing supply through innovative approaches and fast-track at least 100,000 permitted new homes over the first three years.
- As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada is making a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care.
- As part of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, the Government of Canada aims to create approximately 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by March 2026 to give families increased access to affordable child care options across the country.
Associated Links
- Cabinet
- Prime Minister to hold Cabinet retreat to focus on continuing to support the middle class
- Government of Canada announces National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft
- Canada to stabilize growth and decrease number of new international student permits issued to approximately 360,000 for 2024
- Canada-United States relations
January 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed Mary Robinson as an independent senator to fill a vacancy in the Senate for Prince Edward Island.
Mary Robinson is a globally recognized leader in the agricultural sector. A proud Atlantic Canadian, she currently serves as the Vice-President of the World Farmers’ Organisation and is a managing partner of the Robinson Group of Companies, a 6th-generation farm and agribusiness in Prince Edward Island. She is the past President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the first woman to hold that position. She serves as an inspirational leader for women in agriculture throughout Canada.
Quote
“Ms. Robinson’s experience in agriculture and business will bring an important perspective to the Senate, where she will be a strong voice for Atlantic Canada. I look forward to working with her to make life better for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”
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.
- 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.
- With today’s announcement, there have been 79 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. All of them were recommended by the Board.
- Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- 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 Note
Associated Links
- Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
- Senate Appointments Process – Questions and Answers
- Senate of Canada
January 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the Day of Unity of Ukraine:
“Today, on the Day of Unity of Ukraine, we celebrate the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people, and their unwavering spirit.
“On this historic day in 1919, the Unification Act was proclaimed, joining the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic into a single, independent state.
“Canada’s ties with Ukraine run deep. We proudly host the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world, with 1.3 million Ukrainian-Canadians calling Canada home. Along with our deep-rooted ties, we have a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
“Today, this hard-won independence is once again under attack. As Ukrainians endure another winter under Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression, they persist valiantly and tirelessly in their fight to defend their homeland. Ukraine’s fight is also a fight for freedom and democracy. Ukraine will remain free; Ukraine will remain independent; and Canada will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“As we mark the Day of Unity of Ukraine, we honour this enduring union, recognize the incredible resilience of Ukrainians, and recommit to supporting a free, independent, and sovereign Ukraine.
“Slava Ukraini!”
January 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the passing of Norman Jewison:
“Norman Jewison was an iconic filmmaker, writer, and director. He made some of the most memorable films of the 20th century – films that told stories of diversity and of our relentless humanity, like Fiddler on the Roof, In the Heat of the Night, and Moonstruck. They were his own creative works, but they echoed values that are held by all Canadians. He was a proud Canadian and leaves behind a body of work that is still deeply relevant to Canadians, and all people.
“A veteran of the Second World War, Mr. Jewison served overseas with the Royal Canadian Navy. After his service, he attended Victoria College at the University of Toronto before starting a career in television and the movies that spanned over 50 years.
“A staunch believer in social justice, Mr. Jewison was committed to working for the greater good. He marched in civil rights protests in the 1960s and never shied away from thought-provoking, and often difficult, topics in his work. The Hurricane and the critically acclaimed In the Heat of the Night became seminal films on the topic of racial inequality.
“Mr. Jewison’s films were wide ranging – from dramas, to comedies, to musicals – and they were best in class. His movies earned a total of 45 Academy Award nominations and won 12. Mr. Jewison himself received three Academy Award nominations for Best Director and an Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. He was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988 and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame a decade later.
“Despite international acclaim, Mr. Jewison never forgot his Canadian roots. He mentored many aspiring Canadian filmmakers. In 1998, he founded the Canadian Film Centre, which continues to encourage and support Canadian talent.
“The world of movies has lost one of its greats, and Canada has lost one of its most talented storytellers. On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Jewison’s family and friends. I know his legacy will remain an inspiration for generations.”
