April 20, 2024
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 observe the first day of Ridván. A 12-day festival, Ridván commemorates the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh – the founder and prophet of the Bahá’í faith – as a Manifestation of God in the Garden of Ridván.
“During this time of joy and renewal, Bahá’ís will come together to celebrate life’s blessings, reflect on their spirituality, and elect faith leaders that unite communities around the goal of building a more peaceful, tolerant world. The first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridván hold a particular importance, with many Bahá’ís taking this time to rest, participate in cultural activities, and spend time with their loved ones.
“Unfortunately, many Bahá’í communities face persecution around the world. In Iran, Bahá’ís experience discrimination and concerns for their safety. Many have fled Iran and found refuge right here in Canada. The Government of Canada stands with Bahá’ís – and all persecuted religious and belief communities under threat around the world – and we will continue to be a strong voice for the Bahá’í community’s right to practise their faith without fear.
“Today, about 35,000 Canadians follow Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. They are our family members, our friends, and invaluable members of our communities. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish a peaceful and happy Ridván to everyone celebrating.”
A Fairer Future for Every Generation of Indigenous Peoples
April 23, 2024
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
When Indigenous Peoples succeed, Canada succeeds. A fairer future for every generation of Indigenous Peoples includes better access to health care, housing, post-secondary education, and good-paying jobs. With renewed Nation-to-Nation, Government-to-Government, and Inuit-Crown relationships, we are creating thousands of jobs, generating economic opportunity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, and closing the housing gaps which have caused Indigenous communities to face high housing costs and lack of access for far too long.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted new measures included in Budget 2024 to create jobs, unlock opportunities, and build more housing and infrastructure for Indigenous Peoples.
Here are some of our key measures:
Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which will offer up to $5 billion in loan guarantees to make sure Indigenous communities can share in the benefits of natural resource and energy projects in their territories.
- The program will support natural resource and energy projects across the country by providing access to affordable capital for Indigenous governments and communities seeking ownership stakes.
- This will support their economic development priorities and create new economic opportunities.
- Through the program, successful applicants will benefit from the government’s credit to access loans from financial institutions at lower interest rates.
- Budget 2024 also provides $16.5 million over two years, starting in 2024-25, to help Indigenous communities apply for the program and to support its delivery.
$390.4 million to build or renovate health facilities, including to support the Virtual Health Hub led by the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. This funding will also improve the safety of primary care workers in remote and isolated on-reserve First Nations communities.
$388 million in new investments to boost Indigenous economic opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, Indigenous tourism, and to unlock new clean energy opportunities through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative.
Unlocking pathways to post-secondary education by investing nearly $243 million for the next generation of First Nations university, college, and post-secondary students, building on the $487.5 million over 10 years invested in Inuit and Métis post-secondary education strategies through Budget 2019.
Indigenous housing and community infrastructure investments of $918 million to support housing and infrastructure needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. This is on top of the $5 billion already available for communities in 2024-25 to fill the Indigenous housing and infrastructure gaps so communities can grow and thrive. These funds will be distributed as follows:
- $426 million for First Nations on reserve.
- $62 million for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations.
- $370 million for Inuit communities.
- $60 million for Métis communities.
Safe, reliable road access for remote First Nations communities, with $89 million in federal funding to support the Hatchet Lake All-seasons Road Project in Saskatchewan and the Berens River Bridge and Road Project in Ontario.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Housing Initiative, which will provide low-cost financing to municipalities and Indigenous communities. The initiative will help reduce barriers to building infrastructure, such as water treatment, transit, and green energy.
Everyone deserves to succeed. The measures outlined above will help ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have what they need to grow and succeed on their own terms – and these are just some of the things that we are proposing in Budget 2024. Reconciliation will be at the forefront of everything we do. Alongside these measures, we’re building more homes faster, keeping our economy competitive, investing in health care, and making life more affordable to make sure every generation can get ahead.
Quotes
“Our government is here as a partner. And through Budget 2024, we’re moving forward – together – to create more and fairer opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. These investments will bring opportunity, create jobs, build homes, and continue our shared path toward meaningful reconciliation.”
“Through this year’s budget, we are driving the kind of economic growth that will ensure every generation can reach their full potential – including tools to ensure every generation of Indigenous Peoples can succeed on their own terms. The new Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program will encourage Indigenous equity ownership in major natural resource projects, helping Indigenous Peoples benefit their fair share in Canada’s economic growth.”
“When we talk about self-determination for Indigenous Peoples, we have to talk about how we can be a partner to Indigenous communities in advancing their priorities. Across the board – in housing, health care, jobs, education, and more – Budget 2024 investments respond to the direct needs of Indigenous partners and keep us moving forward on the path of reconciliation.”
“Budget 2024 is helping build a fairer and more equitable Canada for Indigenous Peoples. It focuses on the foundational elements of fairness: investing in more homes, more schools, and creating more economic opportunities. We are working with Indigenous partners to restore the tools needed to advance self-determination, create equal opportunities to grow, and participate in all aspects of society.”
“Indigenous communities contribute greatly to Canada and are full of opportunities, but often don’t have the necessary resources to prosper. With Budget 2024, we’re making the necessary investments in education and economic growth, and we’re helping to close the infrastructure and housing gap to give Indigenous Peoples from across the country the chance to succeed.”
Quick Facts
- The number of major natural resources and energy projects with potential for Indigenous equity participation is anticipated to grow significantly, with the potential to reach $525 billion in capital investment over the next 10 years. The Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program will help ensure Indigenous communities – who have fewer options for securing capital due to the Indian Act and the legacy of colonialism – are able to fully benefit from these opportunities, by providing them with access to affordable capital that meets their unique needs.
- The Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program builds on the government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement commitment to help facilitate Indigenous equity ownership in major natural resource projects.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed more than $6.7 billion to support housing in Indigenous communities. As of December 31, 2023, we have committed to support over 22,000 new homes in 611 First Nations communities.
- The government is also investing $4.3 billion to advance an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, including the creation of a National Indigenous Housing Centre to be announced over the coming months. The Strategy will complement the federal government’s previous $6.7 billion to close the Indigenous housing gaps. Informed by Indigenous-led engagement with Indigenous governments, organizations, and housing providers, the funding will be delivered through a new Indigenous-led National Indigenous Housing Centre and by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, Modern Treaty holders, and Self-Governing Indigenous governments to ensure support is provided to all Indigenous Peoples.
- Since 2015, the federal government has made significant investments to build more homes, deliver better health care, and ensure Indigenous communities have clean drinking water. Because every Indigenous person deserves access to what they need to build a healthy and vibrant life.
- The Government of Canada’s Budget 2024 was tabled in the House of Commons by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on April 16, 2024.
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April 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Passover:
“Today at sundown, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will celebrate the beginning of Passover.
“Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the biblical exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery under the leadership of Moses. It celebrates faith, hope, and the perseverance of the Jewish people, who endured and overcame persecution.
“On the first two nights of this sacred holiday, families and friends will share the Seder, a ritual meal consisting of symbolic foods that represent elements from the story of the Exodus – the Jewish people’s journey from slavery to liberation. Excerpts from the Haggadah will be read and the Four Questions will be recited by the youngest person at the table, passing time-honoured traditions from one generation to the next.
“This year, Passover comes at a difficult time. Canada continues to condemn Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and its ongoing terrorist activities. We call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages and lay down its arms. We also unequivocally condemn the Iranian regime’s recent attacks against Israel. The regime’s latest actions will further destabilize the region and make lasting peace more difficult. We demand that Iran and its proxies immediately cease their attacks.
“With the disturbing increase in antisemitism around the world, including in Canada, the values of perseverance, kindness, and resilience at the heart of Passover are more important than ever. We reaffirm our commitment to making sure Canadians, including Canadians of Jewish faith, feel safe to practise their religion.
“The Government of Canada will always stand with the Jewish community ‒ in your grief, in your resilience, and in your celebrations. And we’ll never stop working to ensure that Jewish Canadians can always safely and proudly live Jewish lives.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish a peaceful and happy Passover to everyone celebrating.
“!חג פסח שמח
“Chag Pesach Sameach!”
April 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Earth Day:
“On this year’s Earth Day, we celebrate the planet that gives us the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat – and we reaffirm our work to protect it.
“Canada is a country with natural wonders, from our coastlines – the longest in the world – to northern glaciers and breathtaking mountain ranges. But as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution increasingly threaten our ecosystems, we know that preserving these gifts has never been more important.
“This year’s Earth Day theme, ‘Planet vs. Plastics’, reminds us of the urgent need for transformative action to address plastic pollution head-on. Canada is helping build a world free of plastic pollution by championing the adoption of an international, legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040. Here at home, we are introducing new requirements to ensure greater transparency and accountability from corporations during the full life cycle of plastics, so they stay out of our landfills and the environment. And this week, Canada is once again bringing the world together, as the host of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, to achieve an ambitious global agreement to end plastic pollution.
“Through our 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, we are on a solid path toward meeting our emissions reduction targets, including our 2026 target. This marks the first time that Canada is expected to achieve a climate target, ensuring clean air and safe communities for all Canadians. Meanwhile, we are making historic investments in clean technology that are creating good, sustainable jobs for people across the country.
“Canada has taken significant steps to help protect our planet, and we are seeing real results. In 2022, Canada hosted COP15 – the largest international nature conference in a generation – in Montréal, where we played a leading role in the adoption of the historic Global Biodiversity Framework. Here at home, we are committed to achieving our goal of protecting 30 per cent of our lands and oceans, by adding new protections to oceans, land, and National Parks every year.
“As stewards and caretakers of lands and waters in Canada for millennia, Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment. That’s why, on the margins of COP15, we announced an investment of up to $800 million to support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge of traditional conservation practices, we continue to work together with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, as well as Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing partners, to help ensure the conservation of Canada’s most precious ecosystems for generations to come.
“On this Earth Day, I encourage all Canadians to learn more about the importance of the environment – and about our shared responsibility to protect it from pollution and the impacts of climate change. Whether it’s by picking up litter in your community, avoiding the use of single-use plastics, or opting to bike to work or school, no act is too small. Today and every day, let us renew our commitment to protecting our planet for generations to come.”
April 19, 2024
Victoria, British Columbia
Gen Z and millennials are the engine of our economy. Everything that is created, built, served, and sold in Canada is increasingly being done by millennials and Gen Z. They’re the young parents, the students doing cutting-edge research, the young entrepreneurs with startup ideas. Canada’s success depends on their success.
To secure Canada’s competitive edge, we need to support and empower tomorrow’s problem solvers and make sure every generation reaches their full potential. That’s why we’re investing in cutting-edge research – to create more good jobs, including in innovation and technology – while making education more affordable.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted an over $4.6 billion package of measures from Budget 2024 to strengthen Canadian research and innovation.
Here’s what we’re doing:
Providing $2.6 billion in core research grant funding, scholarships, and fellowships to support our researchers and their ground-breaking discoveries:
- This includes $1.8 billion in core research grant funding for a 30 per cent increase over five years of Canada’s core research grant programs that support faculty-led research projects. It will indirectly support thousands of graduate student and post-doctoral fellows with their research, including their work on climate action, health emergencies, artificial intelligence, and psychological health.
- And $825 million over five years to the granting councils to increase the annual value of master’s and doctoral students’ scholarships to $27,000 and $40,000, respectively, and post-doctoral fellowships to $70,000. To make it easier for students and fellows to access support, the enhanced suite of scholarships and fellowship programs will be streamlined into one talent program. This new program will also increase the number of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows benefiting from research scholarships and fellowships by approximately 1,720 each year.
- This funding will also provide $30 million over three years for Indigenous researchers and their communities, which would be distributed with $10 million each for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit partners.
- To provide better co-ordination across the federally funded research ecosystem, we will bring together our three research funding organizations within a single new capstone research funding organization. The granting councils will continue to exist within this new organization, and continue supporting excellence in investigator-driven research, including linkages with the health portfolio.
- Together, these measures will play a critical role in not only supporting Canadian researchers in solving the world’s greatest challenges – but building a generation of highly educated, highly skilled individuals as a foundation of Canada’s future economic growth and prosperity.
Investing $1.3 billion to keep post-secondary education affordable:
- This funding will extend for an additional year the increase in full-time Canada Student Grants from $3,000 to $4,200 per year, and interest-free Canada Student Loans from $210 to $300 per week. This includes increases to other Canada Student Grants by 40 per cent.
- It will also increase the housing allowances used by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program when determining financial need, which will provide additional student aid to approximately 79,000 students each year.
- These investments will make sure that our younger generations can access quality post-secondary education at an affordable cost.
Investing $734 million to support Canada’s world-leading research infrastructure and institutes:
- Supporting TRIUMF, Canada’s sub-atomic physics research laboratory, located at the University of British Columbia. This investment will upgrade infrastructure at the facility, keep Canada at the forefront of physics research, and enable new medical breakthroughs and treatments, from drug development to cancer therapy.
- Investing in CANARIE, a national not-for-profit organization that manages Canada’s ultra high-speed network to connect researchers, educators, and innovators.
- Providing funding to Saskatoon-based Canadian Light Source, helping scientists and researchers to continue making breakthroughs in areas ranging from climate-resistant crop development to sustainable mining processes.
- Supporting the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute, headquartered at Queen’s University. This funding will help engineers, researchers, and scientists innovate in areas like clean technology and medical imaging.
- Investing in the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for Pandemic Research, advancing the study of high-risk pathogens to support vaccine and therapeutic development.
These investments will unlock and accelerate economic growth for Canada. We’re creating opportunities, boosting innovation, and accelerating economic growth – and that’s just some of the things that we are proposing in Budget 2024. Alongside these measures, we’re building more homes faster, investing in health care, and making life more affordable to make sure every generation can get ahead.
Quotes
“Budget 2024 is about ensuring fairness for the next generation. With these historic investments, we’re investing in Canadian students, researchers, and innovators so they can solve the problems of tomorrow. This will unlock massive economic growth and make Canada stronger, fairer, and more prosperous.”
“Our government is securing the future of top-tier research and innovation in Canada by investing in younger generations today. This is about fostering homegrown research talent and encouraging Canadian brainpower to scale-up their innovative ideas in Canada ‒ all as part of our work to help younger generations get ahead.”
“Today’s research is tomorrow’s economy. That’s why Budget 2024 supports Canadian researchers at the forefront of discovery and innovation as they continue to position Canada as a global leader in science research. These investments reflect the ambition and vision of our next generation of researchers.”
Quick Facts
- The investment of $1.3 billion for affordable education includes:
- An estimated total cost of $1.1 billion in 2024-25 for the increased student grants and loans, which will be available for the 2024-25 school year.
- An estimated cost of $154.6 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, and $32.3 million per year ongoing to modernize shelter allowances.
- The investment of $734 million for Canada’s research infrastructure and institutes includes:
- $399.8 million over five years, starting in 2025-26, for TRIUMF.
- $176 million over five years, starting in 2025-26, for CANARIE.
- $83.5 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, for Canadian Light Source.
- $45.5 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, for the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute.
- $30 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, for the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for Pandemic Research at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization.
- Since 2016, the federal government has committed: more than $16 billion to support scientific discovery, develop Canadian research talent, and attract top researchers from around the planet; and over $2 billion to foster growth across Canada’s AI ecosystem and digital infrastructure.
- Since 2016, the federal government has supported more than 638,000 post-secondary students per year, on average, with more than $38.4 billion in up-front grants and interest-free loans – enabling young Canadians to pursue their education, regardless of their background. To ensure this support keeps up with the cost of an education, the government permanently increased Canada Student Grants by 50 per cent to $3,000. As outlined above, Budget 2024 announced the government’s intention to extend for an additional year the increase in full-time Canada Student Grants from $3,000 to $4,200 per year, and interest-free Canada Student Loans from $210 to $300 per week.
- The Government of Canada’s Budget 2024 was tabled in the House of Commons by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on April 16, 2024.
- Budget 2024 investments in Canadian research build on existing federal support, including:
- The Strategic Science Fund, which announced the results of its first competition in December 2023, providing support to 24 third-party science and research organizations starting in 2024-25.
- Canada recently concluded negotiations to be an associate member of Horizon Europe, which would enable Canadians to access a broader range of research opportunities under the European program starting this year.
- The steady increase in federal funding for extramural and intramural science and technology by the government, which was 44 per cent higher in 2023 relative to 2015.
- Budget 2024 also includes a $2.4 billion package of measures to accelerate job growth in Canada’s AI sector, boost productivity by helping researchers and businesses develop and adopt AI, and ensure this is done responsibly. Learn more.
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April 19, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following appointment to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians:
- Darren Fisher, Liberal, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Mr. Fisher joins the existing members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which includes representatives from the House of Commons and the Senate.
Established in 2017, the Committee follows a non-partisan approach to review national security and intelligence activities carried out across the Government of Canada, including by the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Committee provides the Prime Minister with an annual report, and special reports when needed. The reports, which include findings and recommendations, are then tabled by the Prime Minister in both the House of Commons and the Senate.
Quote
“Our national security and intelligence agencies dutifully respond to threats to the safety and security of Canadians while ensuring their rights and freedoms remain protected. I welcome the appointment of Darren Fisher to the Committee and look forward to working with all members to protect Canadians, our institutions, and our democracy.”
Quick Facts
- With this appointment, the members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians are:
- The Honourable David J. McGuinty, P.C., Liberal (Chair)
- Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc Québécois
- Don Davies, NDP
- Darren Fisher, Liberal
- The Honourable Patricia (Pat) Duncan, Senate
- The Honourable Marty Klyne, Senate
- The Honourable Frances Lankin, P.C., C.M., Senate
- Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal
- Rob Morrison, Conservative
- Alex Ruff, M.S.C., C.D., Conservative
- The Committee was first created under the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2017. It is dissolved at the end of each session of Parliament, and new members are appointed after the new session of Parliament opens.
- Since its launch, the Committee has produced a number of comprehensive and well-received reports on issues ranging from foreign interference, to cyber threats, to diversity and inclusion within the security and intelligence community.
- The Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians assists the Committee in fulfilling its review mandate.
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April 19, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of Gerald W. (Gerry) Kisoun as the next Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, for a term of five years.
Mr. Kisoun is an Inuvialuit-Gwich’in Elder and an active member of his community who has dedicated his career to serving the people of the Northwest Territories. He served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for 25 years, worked with Parks Canada for 17 years, and was the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 2011 to 2017. He is also a dedicated volunteer and the recipient of numerous recognitions, including the RCMP Long Service Medal, the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Polar Medal.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, for her hard work and dedication to serving the people of the Northwest Territories.
Quote
“I congratulate Mr. Kisoun on his appointment as the next Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. As a community leader with a wealth of previous experience, including as a former Deputy Commissioner, I have no doubt that he will continue to make important contributions to the territory and be an inspiration for all Canadians.”
Quick Fact
- Territorial Commissioners are Governor in Council appointments. They fulfill many of the same duties as the Lieutenant Governor of a province. Their responsibilities include swearing in Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of the Executive Council, opening the Legislative Assembly, and providing assent for legislation passed by the Assembly.
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April 18, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Mayor of Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffe, to discuss key areas for co-operation.
The Prime Minister and the Mayor noted the Government of Canada’s and the City of Ottawa’s mutual commitment to addressing Ottawa’s unique needs as Canada’s national capital.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Mayor Sutcliffe discussed the pressures faced by the city, including meeting the needs of asylum claimants and refugees as well as overcoming public transit challenges. The leaders reiterated their shared interest in maintaining a vibrant capital city and shared perspectives on downtown revitalization.
The leaders discussed key measures from Budget 2024 that will support shared priorities, such as identifying and repurposing more federal lands for housing, and preventing homelessness for asylum claimants through the Interim Housing Assistance Program.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Mayor Sutcliffe looked forward to continue working together on shared priorities.
