July 26, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following appointment to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians:
- Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay—Lacolle
Ms. Shanahan joins the existing members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which includes representatives from the House of Commons and the Senate. With the appointment of Ms. Shanahan, who previously served on the Committee when it was established in 2017, all seats are now filled.
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. It 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.
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
- The Honourable Patricia (Pat) Duncan, Senate
- Darren Fisher, Liberal
- 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
- Brenda Shanahan, Liberal
- 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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July 26, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel.
The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.
We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror. Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages. We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.
Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end.
An immediate ceasefire is needed desperately. Civilians must be protected, and a sustained increase in the flow of assistance throughout Gaza is needed to address the humanitarian situation.
We fully stand behind the comprehensive ceasefire deal, outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council. We call on parties to the conflict to agree to the deal. Any delay will only see more lives lost.
We are committed to working towards an irreversible path to achieving a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders. This is the only realistic option to achieve a just and enduring peace.
We call on Israel to respond substantively to the ICJ’s advisory opinion, and ensure accountability for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, reverse the record expansion of settlements in the West Bank which are illegal under international law, and work towards a two-state solution.
We are gravely concerned about the prospect of further escalation across the region. We condemn Iran’s attack against Israel of April 13-14, call on Iran to refrain from further destabilizing actions in the Middle East, and demand that Iran and its affiliated groups, including Hizballah, cease their attacks. We also condemn the Houthis’ ongoing reckless acts, including their indiscriminate drone attack in Tel Aviv and ongoing attacks on international shipping.
We are particularly concerned by the situation along the Blue Line, including the escalation of hostilities and rhetoric between the terror group Hizballah and Israel. It has led to the displacement of thousands of Israelis along the northern border and thousands of Lebanese along the southern border. Further hostilities put tens of thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel at risk.
This escalation in hostilities only makes a ceasefire in Gaza more urgent. We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate. We support diplomatic efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. A wider scale war would have disastrous consequences for Israel and Lebanon, and for civilians across the region.
July 25, 2024
British Columbia, Canada
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with ministers and senior officials to discuss the wildfire situation in Jasper, Alberta.
The group discussed the latest developments on the ground, the federal government’s commitment to support provinces and territories, and the devastating impact on local and Indigenous communities, including the evacuation of thousands of people in Jasper National Park and the destruction of homes and businesses in the area.
The Prime Minister, ministers, and senior officials first and foremost acknowledged that the work continues to fight structural fires in Jasper, and they commended the speed at which members of the community and Park evacuated, meaning that all residents, tourists, and first responders remain safe today. They expressed their gratitude for the firefighters who continue to put their lives at risk to battle these devastating wildfires and protect homes, the first responders who have been supporting those who have been impacted, and the neighbouring communities who have opened their homes to evacuees.
Ministers and senior officials provided an update on the federal support currently being deployed on the ground. This includes the constant flow of information and communication between governments and agencies and the immediate deployment of Canadian Armed Forces resources, which will provide evacuation support, wildfire support, and the co-ordination of firefighting and airlift assistance, in response to Alberta’s request for federal assistance. Ministers also discussed the ongoing co-ordination of firefighting, including with international partners. Hundreds of firefighters from countries such as Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia are either already in Canada or on their way to support local efforts.
The group highlighted the important work being delivered by the Government Operations Centre and Parks Canada, which are working closely with partners to co-ordinate the response to the wildfire situation in Alberta and to mobilize all necessary federal resources to assist. They discussed ongoing safety issues, including the impact on roads, railways, and telecommunication services, and further actions needed to mitigate the impacts of wildfires on local communities and infrastructure.
The Prime Minister thanked all ministers and officials who have been urgently assisting with co-ordinating the emergency response and evacuation process, and he urged them to keep working with all partners, including Indigenous partners, to address the situation as it continues to evolve. He stressed that the federal government would continue to use every tool at its disposal to support those impacted, keep people safe from harm, and protect our communities.
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July 25, 2024
British Columbia, Canada
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, to discuss evacuations in Jasper and the rapidly changing wildfire situation.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Smith discussed the special and cherished place that Jasper holds in the hearts of many Albertans and Canadians across the country, and shared their hopes for a swift recovery. The Prime Minister acknowledged the fear and uncertainty faced by many Albertans whose homes, businesses, and neighbours have been affected.
The two leaders expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude for the courage of the first responders and emergency officials working tirelessly to protect the residents of Jasper, including their homes and businesses, and the many visitors to the area. They agreed that it is thanks to the exceptional efforts and professionalism of this personnel that Jasper could be evacuated so swiftly and safely, with no reported injuries to date. The Prime Minister also shared his appreciation for members of neighbouring communities who have opened their homes to evacuees.
The Prime Minister shared with the Premier the ongoing and productive conversations between Ministers Sajjan, LeBlanc, Guilbeault, and their counterparts in Alberta. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated that the federal government would use every tool at its disposal to support the province and protect its communities. This includes the constant flow of information and communication between governments and agencies and the immediate deployment of Canadian Armed Forces resources, which will provide evacuation support, wildfire support, and the co-ordination of firefighting and airlift assistance, in response to Alberta’s request for federal assistance. He also highlighted the important work of the Government Operations Centre and Parks Canada, which are working closely with federal and provincial partners to co-ordinate the response to the wildfire situation in Alberta and to mobilize all necessary federal resources to assist those impacted.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Smith agreed to stay in regular contact as they work with all partners to address this evolving situation. The Prime Minister thanked the Premier for her leadership and collaboration during this incredibly difficult time.
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July 25, 2024
British Columbia, Canada
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Mayor of Jasper, Richard Ireland, to discuss evacuations in Jasper and the rapidly changing wildfire situation.
The Prime Minister highlighted the important work being delivered by the Government Operations Centre and Parks Canada, which are working closely with federal and provincial partners to co-ordinate the response to the wildfire situation in Alberta and mobilize all necessary federal resources to assist those who have been impacted. This includes the constant flow of information and communication between governments and agencies and the immediate deployment of Canadian Armed Forces resources, which will provide evacuation support, wildfire support, and the co-ordination of firefighting and airlift assistance.
The Prime Minister and the Mayor expressed their gratitude for the courage of the first responders working tirelessly to protect the residents of Jasper, their homes and businesses, and the many visitors to the area. The Prime Minister also shared his appreciation for members of neighbouring communities who have opened their homes to evacuees.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Mayor Ireland committed to staying in regular contact as they work with all partners to address this evolving situation. The Prime Minister thanked the Mayor for his leadership during this incredibly difficult time.
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July 24, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following appointments to the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA):
The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.,is reappointed as member and Chair of the NSIRA, for a three-year term, effective September 6, 2024.
Craig Forcese is reappointed as member and Vice-Chair of the NSIRA, for a four-year term, effective July 24, 2024.
Charles Fugère is appointed as Executive Director of the NSIRA Secretariat, for a three-year term, effective July 24, 2024.
Established in 2019, the NSIRA works to ensure that Canada’s national security agencies are complying with the law and that their actions are reasonable and necessary. It is made up of top independent experts who, with full and independent authority, review all Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities, investigate public complaints, and provide recommendations to the government. The NSIRA’s work helps keep Canadians safe and protect our rights and freedoms.
Biographical Notes
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July 23, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark 41 years since Black July:
“Forty-one years ago today, violent attacks targeting Tamil civilians and businesses started in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thousands of innocent lives were lost, and many more Tamils were injured, subjected to sexual violence, and forced to flee the country. The anti-Tamil pogrom, known as Black July, escalated tensions in what became a decades-long armed conflict. It remains one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka’s history.
“In 2022, the Parliament of Canada unanimously adopted a motion to make May 18 Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day – a recognition of Canada’s commitment to stand in solidarity with Tamil-Canadians and Tamil communities around the world in remembering and honouring the victims and survivors of these senseless acts of violence. As a steadfast defender of human rights, the Government of Canada will continue to demand accountability for human rights violations and abuses against vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.
“In the aftermath of Black July, Canada established a Special Measures program to help 1,800 Tamils relocate to safety in Canada and build new lives for themselves and their families. Canada now has one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world, and we celebrate the contributions Tamil-Canadians make to our country every single day – and we will always protect them.
“On this day, I join Canadians in expressing my deepest condolences to all who have suffered and lost loved ones during Black July. Together, let us honour the victims of this tragedy and recommit to building a more inclusive and peaceful future, free of hate and violence, for people everywhere.”
July 19, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a change to the Ministry:
- Steven MacKinnon becomes Minister of Labour and Seniors.
In his previous role as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister MacKinnon accumulated a wealth of experience building consensus and working with partners to pass legislation. He has advanced progress on health care, affordable housing, organized labour, and climate action – and has steered the government’s work to make life better for Canadians.
Minister Karina Gould will resume her role as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons upon her expected return from parental leave at the end of July.
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July 18, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a change to the Ministry:
- Seamus O’Regan Jr., currently Minister of Labour and Seniors, will step down from his ministerial responsibilities due to family reasons. He will continue in his position as the Member of Parliament for St. John’s South—Mount Pearl.
Minister O’Regan has been a steadfast advocate for labour unions and workers. He has implemented measures for free and fair bargaining, including by introducing historic anti-scab legislation to ban replacement workers. He has worked extensively with partners to solve complex labour disputes at the bargaining table, while protecting trade and jobs.
The Prime Minister extends his sincere thanks to Minister O’Regan for his exceptional leadership and dedication to making life better for Canadians, including for unions, workers, and organized labour. The new Minister of Labour and Seniors will be sworn in at Rideau Hall on July 19, 2024.
July 17, 2024
Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
Public transit shortens commute times, grows our economy, and helps keep our air clean. For many Canadians – especially Millennials and Gen Z, who frequently use public transit – it’s an affordable option to get around. As we build more homes faster, public transit is also key to connecting communities and making life cost less. That’s why the federal government is investing in public transit infrastructure – with more jobs, lower emissions, and a fair chance for every generation to get ahead.
Since 2015, we have committed $30 billion into thousands of public transit projects across the country – from new subway lines in Canada’s biggest cities, like the Millennium Broadway Subway Extension project in Vancouver and the Finch West light rail line project in Toronto, to new transit serving rural and remote communities – and we know there is more to be done.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the launch of the Canada Public Transit Fund, a new $30 billion investment over the first ten years to expand public transit and make it more accessible across the country. This is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history.
The Canada Public Transit Fund will transform the way we deliver transit funding to communities across the country. This permanent ongoing program will invest an average of $3 billion per year to help cities and communities deliver better public transit systems for Canadians.
Funding will be delivered across three streams:
- Metro-Region Agreements will provide extensive funding to support partnerships between provinces and large urban areas with the largest public transit systems, to build the public transit networks Canadians are counting on. This could include regions such as the Greater Toronto Area and other metropolitan areas like Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Montréal, and Halifax, among others. Funding amounts will be based on merit, with the highest amounts of funding going to the most ambitious partnerships, including those that can best demonstrate how investments in transit will help build more homes.
- Baseline Funding will deliver predictable funding to communities across the country with existing transit systems, based on their population and ridership. This will help communities of all sizes upgrade, replace, or modernize their transit infrastructure, including system expansion, lifecycle extension, performance upgrades, and investments in the state of good repair of their fleets.
- Targeted Funding will be available to support key priorities like active transportation, rural and remote transit, transit investments in Indigenous communities, and the electrification of public transit and school transportation. This funding will be delivered on a project-by-project basis through periodic calls for applications, so the federal government can respond to the evolving transit needs of communities in the future.
Funding will begin to flow in 2026, but we are opening the intakes for Metro-Region Agreements and Baseline Funding today, so that we can provide transit agencies and municipalities with the funding certainty they need to advance projects now.
The Canada Public Transit Fund will also complement our work to build more homes faster. Through programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re giving cities and towns more money to build more homes – but with a condition: if municipalities want federal funding, they have to change their zoning by-laws to build more housing near transit.
As promised in Budget 2024, we’re applying that rule to public transit funding as well. To access long-term, predictable funding through this program, municipalities will need to take actions that directly unlock housing supply. This includes measures to:
- Eliminate all mandatory minimum parking requirements within 800 metres of a high-frequency transit line.
- Allow high-density housing within 800 metres of a high-frequency transit line.
- Allow high-density housing within 800 metres of post-secondary institutions.
- Complete a housing needs assessment for all communities with a population greater than 30,000.
This will help more people live near transit, create good-paying jobs, grow our economy, and make transit systems better for everyone.
By investing in public transit, we’re creating communities that are connected, affordable, and set up to succeed. This is part of our plan to deliver fairness for every generation. Alongside this, we’re cutting red tape, building more homes, modernizing infrastructure, and growing our economy. Our goal is clear – making sure our communities have the investments they need to succeed, now and for generations to come.
Quotes
“We’re making the largest public transit investment in Canadian history. Our government’s new Canada Public Transit Fund will invest $30 billion in community infrastructure to expand, improve, and modernize public transit – giving Canadians affordable options to get around, and making sure housing development is linked to that funding. Let’s make public transit better, faster, and easier to use.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Investing in public transit is essential to ensuring Canada’s economy reaches its full potential. Better transit makes it quicker and more affordable for Canadians to get to where they need to go, all while reducing emissions. Our new $30 billion Canada Public Transit Fund is a generational investment to build better communities and public transit across the country.”
— The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
“Public transit is an invaluable tool in making people’s lives more affordable, tackling climate change, and better connecting communities. We are excited and proud to launch the Canada Public Transit Fund today, and with it, to bring a new approach to transit funding in this country. This fund not only gives us an innovative way of working with partners on transit and active transportation projects, but will also go a long way in our work to help build more homes.”
— The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Quick Facts
- For this announcement, Prime Minister Trudeau was joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, and the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow.
- The Canada Public Transit Fund will provide:
- an expected average of $2 billion per year, or $20 billion over 10 years, for Metro-Region Agreements.
- an expected average of $500 million per year, or $5 billion over 10 years, in Baseline Funding.
- an expected average of $500 million per year, or $5 billion over 10 years, in Targeted Funding.
- The design of the Canada Public Transit Fund was guided by key findings resulting from a national public engagement process launched in 2022.
- More information on the first call for applications under the Targeted Funding stream will be available soon.
- To access funding under the Metro-Region Agreements stream, local governments and transit agencies will have to work in partnership with their provincial government to develop and share Integrated Regional Plans. These plans should outline how long-term capital investments in transit and active transportation, complemented by supporting transportation, land use, and housing policy, will advance the core objectives of the Canada Public Transit Fund, including transit use, housing supply and affordability, climate resilience, and social equity.
- A total of $20 million in funding has been made available, for 2024-25 and 2025-26, to metro regions for planning activities that will support the development of high-quality Integrated Regional Plans.
- The Canada Public Transit Fund is designed to meet the unique needs of communities of all sizes – from urban centres, to mid-sized communities, to rural, remote, Northern, and Indigenous communities. It will strengthen our collaboration with local governments and partners across the country to increase access to public transit, advance our work to fight climate change, and improve public transit for all Canadians, especially Indigenous Peoples.
- The Canada Public Transit Fund builds on the success of three existing transit funds: the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, the Zero Emission Transit Fund, and the Active Transportation Fund.
- Funding delivered through the Canada Public Transit Fund will help Canada meet its target of net zero by reducing emissions in the transportation sector, which currently accounts for approximately 22 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over $30 billion in over 1,800 transit projects across Canada, providing Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options. These investments are helping to build more than 350 kilometres of new public transit subway and light-rail lines, purchase over 3,360 zero-emission buses, and create almost 1,175 kilometres of active transportation trails, bike lanes, pedestrian lanes, and recreational paths.
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July 16, 2024
Kitchener, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic, to discuss co-operation on shared priorities, including housing, infrastructure, the funding framework for municipalities in Canada, and the importance of advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Mayor Vrbanovic thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for the federal government’s transformational initiatives that are helping modernize infrastructure and build more homes faster in communities across the country, including the Canada Community-Building Fund and the Housing Accelerator Fund. The two leaders noted how these measures are helping Kitchener realize its ambition and vision to build an inclusive city and a better and fairer future for its residents.
The leaders further discussed the importance of supporting municipalities’ needs to build housing-enabling infrastructure and the federal support being leveraged by Kitchener to implement bold measures that will directly help close local housing gaps. To that end, Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted how the $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund and other measures announced in the federal government’s Budget 2024 will help accelerate the construction of the infrastructure communities need to build more homes and support stronger, more inclusive neighbourhoods.
The Prime Minister and the Mayor committed to continue working together to make progress on these important priorities for people in Kitchener, in Ontario, and across Canada.
Associated Links
- Canada and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Canada Community-Building Fund
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Budget 2024: Fairness for every generation
- Budget 2024 backgrounder: More Affordable Homes
