December 6, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of Bernadette McIntyre as the new Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.
Bernadette McIntyre is a respected leader whose distinguished career includes executive roles at Saskatchewan Government Insurance and Wascana Centre Authority. A long-time supporter of Canadian sports and a passionate community volunteer, she has received numerous awards and recognitions for her dedication and service, including an induction into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
The Prime Minister thanked the outgoing Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Russ Mirasty, for his service to the people of Saskatchewan and to Canada.
Quote
“Congratulations to Bernadette McIntyre on her appointment as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. Her leadership and spirit of volunteerism represent the very best of what Canadians do to build a more prosperous and welcoming country. I am confident she will continue to serve Saskatchewanians and Canadians with distinction in her new role.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Lieutenant Governors are the personal representatives of His Majesty The King of Canada in their respective provinces. They fulfill the roles and functions of the Crown, including granting Royal Assent to provincial laws.
- Lieutenant Governors are appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. They serve terms of at least five years.
Biographical Note
Associated Link
December 6, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:
“Thirty-five years ago today, 14 young women were murdered and 13 others were injured at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. These women were talented students, beloved daughters and sisters, and Canada’s future. Their lives were tragically cut short simply because they were women.
“As we remember the victims of this hateful, cowardly act, we are also reminded that, for many women, girls, and gender-diverse people, the violent misogyny that led to this tragedy still exists. The risk of violence is even higher for women and girls from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, and disability communities, as well as in rural and remote areas.
“As we observe the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are taking action. With the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we are addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and helping victims and survivors access supports and services. Additionally, through our work on the Federal Pathway, we are working with partners to end the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In partnership with the Government of Manitoba and under the leadership of Giganawenimaanaanig, the province’s MMIWG2S+ implementation committee, we are advancing a Red Dress Alert pilot project. This new system will provide a notification when an Indigenous woman, girl, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse person goes missing so that we can help bring them home safely.
“We passed the toughest gun control legislation in Canada’s history. We banned over 2,000 models of assault-style firearms and their variants, including the weapon used at the École Polytechnique. Yesterday, we announced that 324 additional unique makes and models of assault-style firearms are now prohibited in Canada. Alongside this, we also announced that the government will table measures in Parliament no later than January to address the rates of gender-based and intimate partner gun violence. This includes defining ‘protection order’ to support the implementation of additional harm reduction measures. In addition to the new ‘red flag’ laws already in force, this will allow anyone to apply to the Court to remove a firearm from an individual who may pose risks to themselves or others. An awareness campaign will be launched this spring to support the new ‘red flag’ laws.
“In recent years, we’ve also increased investments in border security to stop firearm smuggling and trafficking. We implemented a national handgun freeze to restrict the sale, purchase, and transfer of handguns. And we’ve introduced tougher penalties for gun traffickers, while supporting prevention programs to stop gun and gang violence.
“On this solemn occasion, let us reflect on the lives lost and the impact of gender-based violence by wearing a white ribbon and observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. today. We all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence and gun violence. Together, we can build a future where everyone is safe.”
If you are in an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1 (in Canada) for emergency services in your area. If you are outside of the 9-1-1 service area, please access available emergency services or call a crisis line in your area. You may also want to consult the list of additional support services for people affected by gender-based violence.
December 3, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
“A world with less barriers is a better world. Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we work toward a future free of barriers, where all persons with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect, and where they have every opportunity to thrive.
“One in four Canadians have a disability – many with disabilities that are not visible. Canadians of working age with a disability are nearly twice as likely to be living on a low income. That is unacceptable. That’s why, five years ago, we passed the Accessible Canada Act – a historic piece of legislation that is helping create a barrier-free Canada by 2040. And we’ve been moving forward with a lot more. In 2022, we launched the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. This Action Plan provides concrete programs and critical investments to help those with disabilities get financial security, find a good-paying job, and fully participate in their communities.
“As part of our ongoing work to support persons with disabilities, we’re on track to launch the Canada Disability Benefit in 2025, to provide direct support to over 600,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities. We’re also making life more affordable for persons with disabilities. By expanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan, we’re potentially helping up to 183,000 adults with a valid federal Disability Tax Credit certificate get access to affordable dental care. We’re also expanding the Disability Supports Deduction to include service animals, alternative computer input devices, work chairs, and bed positioning devices.
“Disability rights are human rights, and Canada has continually worked to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. This year marks six years since Canada acceded to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of our unwavering commitment to providing equal opportunity for people with disabilities and protecting their dignity and independence. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will continue to take ambitious action to champion disability rights at international forums, including the United Nations.
“On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of persons with disabilities. Let’s work together to make our country more inclusive and accessible for all.”
November 30, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Dennis King, to discuss shared priorities. The leaders’ meeting took place in advance of an announcement on the National School Food Program in the province.
The Prime Minister and the Premier discussed their continued commitment to working together on investments in child care, health care, and infrastructure. They spoke about the importance of continuing to address affordability concerns and of providing reliable ferry services for Islanders. They also highlighted the importance of the oyster industry in Prince Edward Island and noted the ongoing collaboration on the MSX disease in wild oysters.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of trade with the United States. They committed to keep working together through a Team Canada approach to further strengthen Canada’s dynamic relationship with its closest neighbour.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier King agreed to continue working together on these and other important issues.
Associated Links
- Healthy meals for kids, savings for families in Prince Edward Island
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on the Canada-U.S. relationship
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King
December 1, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World AIDS Day:
“Every day, an estimated five Canadians contract HIV. While breakthroughs in medical research now help people living with HIV live long and healthy lives, the stigma surrounding HIV remains. No Canadian should have to feel alone in this fight.
“To meet our 2025 targets for HIV testing and treatment, we are building culturally safe access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care for everyone in Canada, including those from 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, and Afro-Caribbean communities. This year, we launched the Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections Action Plan 2024-2030 to help accelerate the end of HIV as a public health concern.
“Millions of people around the world still lack access to life-saving HIV treatment, but through our work with international partners, Canada is helping change that. Through our support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, hundreds of millions of people have been tested for HIV, and tens of millions have received antiretroviral treatment. Our work is far from over, but through valued partnerships with organizations such as UNAIDS, we can build on this progress and save millions of lives.
“On World AIDS Day, I invite Canadians to learn more about HIV and AIDS, to challenge the stigma, and to join the effort to end this epidemic. Together, we can build a healthier future for everyone.”
November 29, 2024
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
School food programs make life easier. They provide healthy meals to kids throughout the school year. They also save working families hundreds of dollars in grocery bills.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced an agreement with the Government of Prince Edward Island to increase school food programs in the province. This agreement, under the federal government’s National School Food Program, will provide over 1,500 more kids with healthy lunches, and over 800 more kids with healthy breakfasts and snacks this school year. With this agreement, a two-child family in Prince Edward Island will save $800 in grocery bills a year on average.
This initial federal investment of approximately $7.1 million over three years will help families and keep more money in their pockets. This investment will also support critical program needs like food transportation, storage, and preparation equipment. All in all, this will result in an estimated 438,000 more meals served to kids across Prince Edward Island this school year.
Our National School Food Program is a direct investment into the middle class – helping teachers and making mornings a little easier for working families. It is also a safety net for the kids who need this support the most. We’re going to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders to ensure every child in Canada has the food they need while at school.
The National School Food Program is part of the federal government’s work to put more money in your pocket. Last week, the Prime Minister announced a tax break for all Canadians. With a GST/HST exemption from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, across the country, this tax break will save families money on things like groceries and kids clothing. We’re creating more jobs, building more homes, expanding affordable dental care, and giving every Canadian a tax break – so they can buy the things they need and save for the things they want.
Quotes
“Today’s school food agreement will get healthy school lunches, breakfasts, and snacks to thousands of kids on the Island and reduce hundreds of dollars in grocery bills for families. With the tax break for all Canadians and now the school food agreement with Prince Edward Island, our government is putting more money in your pocket.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Prince Edward Island has been a leader in delivering school food programs, with our province-wide ‘pay-what-you-can’ lunch program set to deliver over one million meals in 2024-25. This new federal investment recognizes the success of our existing programs and allows us to do even more. By expanding our breakfast and snack programs and creating centralized food hubs, we will strengthen the efficiency and reach of these programs, continuing to provide nutritious meals that support Island students and families.”
— The Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island
“It’s clear that the government is prioritizing the well-being and health of kids in Canada. We know that access to healthy food can make all the difference in a child’s day. That’s why we’re building a National School Food Program, because kids learn better on a full stomach. Today’s agreement is another important step that builds on our shared goal of ensuring that kids in Prince Edward Island get the meals they need to excel in school so that they have a fair shot.”
— The Hon. Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“My wife Frances was a teacher, and it broke both of our hearts when we heard about kids going hungry at school. This announcement is an investment in our future. It means that more children will have access to a nutritious meal so they can focus on learning, and I know it will make a real difference in the lives of so many Island families.”
— The Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Quick Facts
- Announced in Budget 2024, the National School Food Program will feed hundreds of thousands of kids across Canada every year. The Program will also be a safety net for the kids who are most impacted by the lack of access to food, including lower-income families and some Indigenous communities.
- School food programs provide children and youth with meals and snacks at school, often at no-to-low cost for participating families. School food provides many benefits, including reducing hunger, improving nutrition and health outcomes, supporting local economies, and reducing food-related spending for families.
- Budget 2024’s investment of $1 billion over five years includes distinctions-based funding for First Nations on reserve as well as Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty and Self-Government agreement holders. We are working directly with Indigenous partners on the rollout of that funding, with more information to come.
- In addition to the National School Food Program, the federal government launched the new School Food Infrastructure Fund in September. The Fund will deliver over $20 million to help not-for-profit organizations invest in infrastructure and equipment to support school food programming across Canada.
- Prince Edward Island (PEI)’s existing provincewide school food programs are well established, with their breakfast and snack program operating since 2008 and their pay-what-you-can lunch program operating since 2020. In 2023-24, the province’s breakfast and snack program served over 13,000 students and PEI’s lunch program served over 10,000 students.
- In 2024-25, PEI is investing over $5.4 million to sustain and enhance existing school food programs, including the province’s breakfast and snack programs and pay-what-you-can lunch program. These programs are delivered through two different streams of funding:
- $5+ million for PEI’s lunch program.
- $380,000 for PEI’s breakfast and snack program.
- As part of today’s agreement, PEI will use part of the federal funding to create additional centralized food hubs that will help reduce reliance on vendors, increase the efficiency of school food programs, and improve student satisfaction.
- PEI has 75 schools, with 21,800 Island students.
- PEI is the latest province to announce an agreement with the federal government through the National School Food Program, after Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, and Ontario. To give every child the best start in life, the federal government is also:
- Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit, to help with the costs of raising children and make a real difference in the lives of kids in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which is providing up to $7,787 per child in 2024-25, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty since its launch in 2016.
- Working with all provinces and territories to deliver an early learning and child care system, which has already cut fees for regulated child care to an average of $10-a-day or less in over half of all provinces and territories, and by 50 per cent or more in all others.
- Improving access to dental health care for children under 18 with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids’ teeth and putting food on the table.
Associated Links
- Feeding the future today: Canada’s National School Food Program
- National School Food Program
- National School Food Policy
- Giving every child the best start in life
- Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
- Prince Edward Island School Food Program
November 29, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Susan Cooper, a judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice, as the new Chief Justice of the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Chief Justice Cooper replaces the Honourable Neil A. Sharkey, who retired effective April 13, 2024.
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“I wish the Honourable Susan Cooper every success as she takes on her new role as Chief Justice of the Nunavut Court of Justice. She is a respected member of the legal community and has extensive experience in many areas of law. I am confident she will be a great asset to the people of Nunavut.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices in Canada are responsible for the leadership and administration of their courts. They also serve as members of the Canadian Judicial Council, which works to improve the quality of judicial services in the superior courts of Canada.
- Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of Cabinet and the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
