Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

Prime Minister to travel to New York City for World Law Congress

July 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

In the face of increasing global uncertainty, particularly in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we continue to work closely with our allies and friends to defend democracy, protect human rights, and uphold the rule of law.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced he will travel to New York City, United States of America, on July 21 to participate in the World Law Congress, where he will emphasize the importance of continued collaboration to uphold the rule of law and build a more peaceful world for everyone. At the Congress, he will present the World Peace & Liberty Award to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is accepting on behalf of the European Commission, for its commitment to the promotion of peace through law.

While in New York City, the Prime Minister will meet with President von der Leyen and United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres. He will also meet with JPMorgan Chase & Co Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Dimon, to highlight Canada as an ideal investment destination and promote Canada’s positive economic outlook, important work in developing the North American electric vehicle supply chain, and role as a reliable energy supplier and partner.

Quote

“No one is above the law. With threats like Putin’s attempt to arbitrarily redraw the borders of a sovereign country by using force – compounded by other global challenges, including the impacts of a warming planet – we have to keep working together with our partners and allies to build a better and more peaceful world for everyone.”

— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ..

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convenes the Incident Response Group to discuss the situation in British Columbia’s ports

July 19, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with ministers and senior officials to discuss the labour disruption in British Columbia’s ports.

The Group was briefed on the latest developments in the province, where union leadership has served notice that thousands of port workers will resume strike action on Saturday. This decision came after union leadership failed to give union members an opportunity to vote on the tentative settlement that was agreed to last week by both the union and the employer following weeks of federal mediation and negotiation.

The Group discussed the impact of the situation, which is creating severe disruptions to Canada’s largest export and import gateway to the world. Previous strike action earlier this month already froze billions of dollars’ worth of cargo from moving in and out of harbours, causing serious harm to our economy, Canada’s reputation as a trading partner, and Canadian jobs.

The Prime Minister stressed the critical importance of resuming operations in our ports as soon as possible. Workers and employers across Canada – and all Canadians – cannot face further disruption. He asked ministers and senior officials their advice toward achieving this goal and directed them to pursue all available options to ensure the stability of our supply chains and to protect Canadian jobs and our economy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

July 8, 2023
Calgary, Alberta

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, to discuss shared priorities.

The Prime Minister noted the devastating wildfire season in the province and underscored the need to work together to keep people safe and address the effects of climate change.

The Prime Minister and the Premier agreed to work together on making life more affordable for Canadians, creating good middle-class jobs, fostering economic growth, and advancing reconciliation. They discussed their desire to collaborate to reduce emissions across sectors and respond to the growing global demand for lower and net-zero emissions energy, including liquefied natural gas, with the objective of achieving carbon neutrality in Alberta and Canada by 2050 while growing the economy. They also reiterated their commitment to establishing a bilateral working group between Canada and Alberta to advance top economic priorities in the energy and resource sectors.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

 Delivering on our promise of high-quality, inclusive, and affordable child care for families

June 28, 2023
Toronto, Ontario

The Government of Canada’s early learning and child care plan is already putting money back in the pockets of Canadian families, while helping parents – particularly mothers – rejoin the workforce and grow our economy. In almost half of provinces and territories, we have already reached our goal of delivering $10-a-day child care for families – three years ahead of schedule. In all other provinces and territories, fees have been cut by at least half, and we are on track to achieve $10-a-day child care by 2026.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the establishment of the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to help public and not-for-profit child care providers deliver affordable child care for families by funding the cost of physical infrastructure needed to create more spaces like real estate and building materials. This new Fund will provide an additional $625 million to provinces and territories to create spaces in communities that currently do not have enough of them.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU...

 Prime Minister announces appointment of new Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec

June 22, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Jean-François Michaud, a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, as the Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec.

Associate Chief Justice Michaud replaces the Honourable Eva Petras, who passed away last year, after serving nearly eight years as Associate Chief Justice.

Quote

“I wish the Honourable Jean-François Michaud every success in his new role as Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec. He is a respected member of the legal community. The Bench, and all Quebecers, will benefit from his diverse and considerable legal experience.”

— 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 recommendation of the Prime Minister.
• The Superior Court of Quebec hears civil and commercial cases where the sum at issue is $85,000 or more, as well as administrative and family matters, bankruptcies, jury trial in criminal cases, and summary conviction appeals.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau

 

Prime Minister announces by-election in Calgary Heritage

June 18, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that a by-election will be held on July 24, 2023, in the electoral district of Calgary Heritage.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Mayor of Montréal Valérie Plante

June 16, 2023
Montréal, Quebec

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Mayor of Montréal, Valérie Plante, for a discussion on shared priorities.

The Prime Minister and the Mayor discussed the importance of tackling homelessness and building new affordable housing under current agreements with the Quebec government and the new Housing Accelerator Fund. They agreed that collaboration among all orders of governments is needed to build more affordable housing.

The two leaders also agreed to continue working together on other priority issues for Montréal, such as the creation of green spaces, the fight against climate change and the protection of natural environments, as well as improvements to the public transit network.

The Prime Minister and the Mayor looked forward to their continued collaboration on these and other priorities of importance to Montréalers.

Associated Links

• Building more homes, faster
• Housing Accelerator Fund
• Canada welcomes the world for COP15 to protect nature

Prime Minister to travel to Iceland to participate in the Nordic Prime Ministers’ meeting

June 16, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

As the world faces a series of challenges like conflict, the impacts of climate change, food and energy insecurity, and threats to democracy and human rights, like-minded partners and allies have to come together to address these issues and continue making life better for people.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, to join Nordic Prime Ministers at their annual meeting from June 25 to 26, 2023, as a special guest. This visit will help to enhance Canada’s collaboration with Nordic countries and advance collective efforts to address some of the most pressing global challenges and build a better world for everyone.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister will continue to advance action on key priorities, based on our shared values and interests, like protecting the environment, building economies that benefit everyone, creating good middle-class jobs, and making life better and more affordable for people. He will highlight the importance of developing clean and reliable energy, strengthening trade ties between our countries to create opportunities for our people and businesses alike, addressing security challenges in Europe and the Arctic, and strengthening multilateralism.

The leaders will address these global issues in the lead up to the NATO Leaders’ Summit next month in Vilnius, Lithuania, where Allies will discuss continued efforts to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal invasion, as well as ways to maintain peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond.

Quote

“Canada and its Nordic partners have a long-standing history of close cooperation and strong shared values. As we face a series of global crises, we need to come together, and work together. I look forward to meeting with my Nordic counterparts to keep strengthening our relationship and building a better future for people on both sides of the Atlantic.”

— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• The members of the Nordic Council are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
• The prime ministers of all five Nordic countries will attend the meeting along with representatives of the devolved governments of the Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers will also participate.
• Iceland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2023.
• The Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision is to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
• Canada has longstanding ties and shared values with all the Nordic countries. Over 1.2 million Canadians identified as being of Nordic descent in the 2016 census.
• All the Nordic countries are members of NATO with the exception of Sweden, for which the accession process is ongoing.
• Combined, the Nordic countries are the world’s 12th largest economy ($2.42 trillion GDP) and 7th most affluent.
• Merchandise trade between Canada and the Nordic countries was $13.6 billion in 2022. Total trade, including services, was $17.3 billion.
• This visit builds upon the State Visit by His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, to Canada in May 2023, and the visit of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, to Iceland in 2022.

Associated Links

• Canada-Iceland relations
• Readout PM Trudeau and President of Iceland
• State Visit of the President of Iceland
• Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Statement by the Prime Minister on World Refugee Day

June 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Refugee Day:

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Today, on World Refugee Day, we recognize the strength and resilience shown by refugees, and we reaffirm our commitment to welcome and protect them here in Canada.

“Today, there are more than 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. And Canada is stepping up: In 2022, for the fourth year in a row, we were the top country in the world to resettle refugees. Last year, Canada resettled over 47,500 refugees from over 80 countries, and since 2021, we have welcomed over 33,000 vulnerable Afghans fleeing persecution from the Taliban. We remain committed to resettling at least 40,000 Afghan refugees by the end of this year – one of the largest commitments in the world.

“Canada will also continue to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s brutal invasion and provide the services and support they need to thrive in communities across the country. And earlier this month, we partnered with Rainbow Railroad to help LGBTQI+ people and their families find safety in Canada.

“By protecting those fleeing violence and persecution today, we can provide newcomers with the opportunity to feel safe and contribute to Canada’s future. Today, we come together as Canadians to keep our country a welcoming place and help build a safer world for everyone.”

Learn how to apply for refugee status from within Canada, find out how to come to Canada as a refugee, sponsor a refugee, or find refugee services in Canada at Canada.ca/refugees.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,...

 Statement by the Prime Minister on Philippine Independence Day

June 12, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Philippine Independence Day:

“Today, we join Filipino communities in Canada, the Philippines, and around the world to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence.

“Nearly one million people of Filipino origin call Canada home today – and every year, this number grows. Filipino-Canadians enrich our country, forming an invaluable part of its cultural mosaic. The strong ties between our peoples serve as the foundation for our collaboration internationally.

“Since the establishment of Canada’s diplomatic relations with the Philippines in 1949, we have become partners in promoting our common values and priorities – from advancing peace and security and standing up for human rights and the rule of law, to growing our economies to benefit people in Canada and the Philippines alike.

“Today, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the important contributions that members of the Filipino-Canadian community have made – and continue to make – to our country. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating Philippine Independence Day, here in Canada and around the world.

“Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!”

Statement by the Prime Minister on National Public Service Week

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau....

 Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki to visit Canada

May 29, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, will visit Canada on June 2, 2023.

During the visit, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Morawiecki will hold a bilateral meeting to address the regional defence and security challenges resulting from Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine and collaborate on their countries’ continued support to Ukraine. This meeting will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to advance their joint commitment to the rules-based international order and the growing Canada-Poland trade relationship to create good, middle-class jobs in both countries, including through opportunities in clean energy.

Building on the progress of Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to Poland in March 2022, the meeting will highlight the significance of Canada’s deep ties to Poland, maintained by the strong Polish-Canadian community.

Quote

“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Morawiecki to Canada. The Canada-Poland relationship is rooted in strong ties between our people, a shared commitment to NATO and democracy, and growing commercial ties that are creating jobs and opportunities for people on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to work together to make progress on shared priorities, including our ongoing response to Russian aggression and support for Ukraine.”

— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau...

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh

May 20, 2023
Hiroshima, Japan

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, on the margins of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

Canada welcomed Vietnam’s participation at the G7 Summit, and both leaders discussed the ongoing work of the G7 to enhance meaningful engagement with emerging and developing economies.

The prime ministers noted that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Canada-Vietnam diplomatic relations, and they celebrated the deep and long-standing people-to-people ties between our two countries. The leaders welcomed significant and growing trade links between Canada and Vietnam, and committed to further deepening trade moving forward, including through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and an eventual Canada-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreement.

Both leaders welcomed the ASEAN leaders’ decision to convene an ASEAN-Canada Summit to launch the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership on the margins of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Chinh discussed the ongoing implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Canada-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership. They underlined areas for enhanced cooperation, including regional security, climate change, clean energy, consular issues, human rights, gender equality, and education. Both leaders also committed to deepen cooperation through ASEAN.

The two leaders discussed the importance of meaningful action to continue the fight against climate change. Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed Vietnam’s efforts to transition away from coal, and highlighted Canada’s willingness to support clean and sustainable energy.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Chinh committed to maintain the close relationship between their two countries. They looked forward to continuing to work together to advance their mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Associated Links

• Canada and the G7
• Canada-Vietnam relations
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
• Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo

May 20, 2023
Hiroshima, Japan

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

May 8, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, to discuss the impacts of the wildfires in Alberta.

The Prime Minister indicated that the Government of Canada is ready to help Alberta and Albertans. The leaders spoke about the number of evacuees and the situation on the ground. They also discussed federal and provincial responses to date and noted the firefighting support provided to Alberta from other provinces.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Smith explored ways the federal and provincial governments would continue to work together to support Albertans. The Prime Minister noted that work is underway to determine how the Government of Canada can best accommodate the supports identified by Alberta in its draft Request for Assistance.

The Prime Minister reiterated the commitment of the federal government to keep working with provincial, municipal, and First Nations partners to provide support in the areas affected by the wildfires. The Prime Minister and the Premier also recognized the work of first responders and emergency relief organizations in providing support to impacted communities. The Government of Canada is also working with the Canadian Red Cross to help create a fund-matching campaign to support emergency services in Alberta, if required.

The leaders agreed to stay in close contact as the situation in Alberta evolves.

Associated Link

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Statement by the Prime Minister on National Nursing Week

May 8, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Nursing Week, which runs from May 8 to 14:

“Today, we mark the beginning of National Nursing Week, a time to celebrate the tremendous contributions that nurses have made – and continue to make – across the country. This year’s theme – Our Nurses. Our Future. – recognizes the many roles that nurses play, from tending to our kids’ cuts and scrapes to being with our loved ones in their final moments. Nurses are the backbone of our health care system.

“In the last few years in particular, nurses had our backs, and today, we reaffirm that we will have their backs, too. Earlier this year, we made a plan to improve health care for Canadians by increasing health care funding by more than $198 billion over the next 10 years, including to support our health care workforce and address backlogs in the system. Last year, we announced the appointment of Dr. Leigh Chapman as the new Chief Nursing Officer of Canada, and she has since been working with key partners, including provinces and territories, to improve health care for Canadians by addressing challenges related to nursing, like labour shortages. And to help more international health professionals begin working in Canada more quickly, the Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals.

“Nurses are there for us when we need it most. On this first day of National Nursing Week, we thank our hardworking nurses for the lifesaving work they do day in and day out with such care and compassion – and we work to build a health care system that works for all Canadians.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ..

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley

April 27, 2023
New York City, United States of America

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

The prime ministers convened a meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocates group on the margins of the Global Citizen NOW Summit. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the United Nations (UN) SDGs, as co-chairs of the Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates group.

They recognized that developing countries, and particularly those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, have limited access to the financing they need as they confront unprecedented overlapping crises. To this end, the two prime ministers reiterated their commitment to working together to improve access to affordable and flexible financing for low- and medium-income countries, to address today’s global challenges.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Mottley expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Haiti and the importance of helping to address the urgent needs of the Haitian people. They emphasized the critical role of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in supporting an inclusive political dialogue and recommitted to working together to alleviate the pressing political, security, and humanitarian crises.

The two leaders looked forward to continuing their close collaboration on advancing the SDGs, climate action, access to financing, and other issues of shared interests in the lead up to the 2023 SDG Summit in September 2023.

Associated Links

• Canada-Barbados relations
• Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley
• Prime Minister strengthens ties with the Caribbean, announces new support for the Haitian people
• 2023 SDG Summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

April 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Lula spoke of the friendship and historical ties between Canada and Brazil. The two leaders underscored the importance of working together to advance the shared priorities of democracy and human rights, promoting gender equality, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth for all. The two leaders expressed interest collaborating on ambitious climate action, including on biodiversity and environmental protection.

The Prime Minister emphasized Canada’s commitment to working with regional partners within the Americas to address the global impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, supporting Ukraine in the face of this aggression, and preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The two leaders agreed on supporting a robust Haitian-led solution to the current crisis in Haiti.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Lula agreed to stay in close contact and work closely together to advance shared priorities.

Associated Links

• Canada-Brazil relations
• Statement by the Prime Minister on the 200th anniversary of Brazil’s independence
• Canada’s response to the Venezuela crisis
• Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Mayor of London Josh Morgan

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau..

 Strengthening Canada’s position as a global tech leader while growing our economy and creating jobs

April 17, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Fast and reliable wireless services connect us to our loved ones, help us work better, and fuel Canadian innovation in areas from smart cities and connected cars to e-health and online education. Canada is already a global leader in next-generation networks, which is driving economic growth and creating good, middle-class jobs for Canadians across the country.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the Government of Canada will support a project from wireless networking technology company Ericsson Canada to advance research and development toward next-generation 5G and 6G networks – meaning faster and more secure wireless services for people here at home and beyond.

Valued over $470 million, this project will create and reskill hundreds of jobs in Ottawa, Ontario, and Montréal, Quebec. It will establish Canada as one of Ericsson’s leading global research and development hubs and help strengthen Canada’s leadership in the development of wireless technologies. The project will also support research in other cutting-edge fields, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

The Government of Canada will continue to create good, middle-class jobs by attracting investment in our world-leading industries and growing our economy.

Quotes

“Today’s announcement is further evidence that Canadian workers have the talent the world needs to develop faster and more secure internet connection and other wireless services. As we continue to support innovation, we are creating good jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in technology.”

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Canadians deserve strong, secure, and reliable wireless networks and services. By investing in Ericsson Canada, our government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs.”

The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“We are already seeing the benefits of next-generation technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence, yet we are still in the early days of their potential to transform our work, leisure and social lives. Ericsson’s R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government, supported by world-class talent in Ottawa and Montréal, will boost innovation and ultimately help to improve the lives of millions of people. We are determined to lead our industry through continued R&D investment.”

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

“Ericsson is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. Today, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Canada with this high-tech R&D investment announcement. The benefits of this project will strengthen Canada’s technology expertise that is second-to-none, will bolster Ericsson’s world-class R&D centres, and is a testament to the concentration of talent here in the Ottawa-area and in Montréal.”

Jeanette Irekvist, President, Ericsson Canada

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau...

 Supporting and improving Indigenous-led health care for First Nations in British Columbia

April 14, 2023
West Vancouver, British Columbia

Everyone deserves equal access to quality health care, free from racism and discrimination. That’s why the Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to support greater Indigenous control of health services and deliver better health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined today by the Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, and the leaders of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the First Nations Health Council (FNHC), on Coast Salish Traditional Territory, to announce the signing of a renewed 10-year Canada Funding Agreement with the FNHA in British Columbia, to deliver better health care for First Nations in the province. Through the agreement, $8.2 billion in funding will support the FNHA as it continues to deliver and improve the health systems that serve and support over 200 First Nations communities in the province. This includes but is not limited to continuing to develop innovative supports for mental health and wellness needs, increasing access to quality, culturally safe care, and strengthening coordination between the FNHA and the provincial health care services to better meet the unique needs of First Nations communities.

The Government of Canada transferred control of First Nations health operations in British Columbia to the First Nations in the province 10 years ago, following the signing of a historic agreement in 2011. Since then, the FNHA has transformed how health care is delivered to First Nations in the province, ensuring that health funding is distributed wherever it is needed most, to support healthy, self-determining, and vibrant communities across the province.

Today’s announcement is in addition to the recently announced Indigenous Health Equity Fund, a federal investment of $2 billion over 10 years to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples across Canada face when it comes to fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe health care services. We will continue working collaboratively with Indigenous partners and communities to address these gaps, support Indigenous health priorities, and work toward eliminating health inequalities for all.

Quotes

“Today’s announcement is an important step toward ensuring that decisions that impact the health of First Nations can be made by First Nations. We’re committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to deliver the best results for people’s health, build a more resilient health care system, and ensure that our country’s health care systems respect the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples so that everyone can get the medical care they need, when they need it.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ..

 Statement by the Prime Minister on the fifth anniversary of the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos

April 6, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos in Saskatchewan:

“Today marks the fifth anniversary of a tragic accident that shook Canadians from coast to coast to coast. On April 6, 2018, a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team was involved in a collision with a transport truck, killing 16 team members and staff and injuring 13 others.

“In the face of great tragedy, we pulled together as Canadians – just like we always do. To remember the lives lost and honour the victims, we held moments of silence in arenas all across the country, we wore the colours of the Humboldt jersey – white, yellow, and green – and raised money for one of the most successful online fundraising campaigns in history to support the families of victims, the survivors, and the community in their time of need. In the weeks following the tragedy, about 150,000 people across the country registered to become organ donors, inspired by Humboldt Bronco Logan Boulet, whose donated organs helped six people.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau...

 New support available today to make life more affordable for Canadians

April 1, 2023
Montréal, Quebec

Across the country, families are struggling with the rising cost of living. The Government of Canada is providing targeted support to those who need it most, and we are going to keep delivering much-needed relief to the middle class and people working hard to join it.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted various federal initiatives that will help make life more affordable for Canadians today.

As of today:

• The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 to $16.65 per hour, to keep pace with inflation;
• Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, including those currently being repaid, become permanently interest-free;
• Financial institutions can be able to start offering the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, to help Canadians save up to $40,000 tax-free for their first home;
• Quarterly Climate Action Incentive payments increase for people in provinces where the federal price on pollution currently applies;
• Eligible low and median income homeowners can receive up to $10,000 toward a new energy efficient heat pump through the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.

These newly available support measures build on a wide range of other investments and initiatives from the federal government to put more money back in the pockets of Canadians. These include doubling the GST Credit for six months, providing dental care for more than 250,000 kids, and delivering a one-time tax-free payment of $500 for low-income renters.

Earlier this week, we released Budget 2023—A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future, which lays out our plan to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more secure Canadian economy for everyone.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau..

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins

March 21, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins.

Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Hipkins on his appointment and expressed his condolences to the people of New Zealand following Cyclone Gabrielle and earlier flooding across the country’s North Island.

The two leaders reaffirmed the close friendship and strong collaboration between Canada and New Zealand. They discussed opportunities to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries in areas such as combatting violent extremism, promoting peace and security, continuing the fight against climate change, advancing trade that creates good jobs and grows the middle class – including through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership – and upholding the rules-based international order.

The leaders also spoke about advancing meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and generating economic growth that benefits everyone.

Prime Minister Trudeau underscored the importance of New Zealand as a partner and ally in the region.

The prime ministers discussed Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. They agreed to continue to work closely together and with international partners to stand up to Russian aggression and support the people of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Hipkins agreed to keep working closely together to address common interests and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

Associated Links

• Canada-New Zealand relations
• Statement by the Prime Minister welcoming the new Prime Minister of New Zealand
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.....

 Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day of La Francophonie

March 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of La Francophonie:

“Today, on the International Day of La Francophonie (in French only), we join Francophones and Francophiles in Canada and around the world to celebrate the richness of the French language, and the heritage and diversity of Francophonie cultures.

“Official bilingualism is one of the pillars of Canada’s identity, and Francophone communities are central to our history and our heritage. French is the first official language of nearly a quarter of all Canadians, and it plays an essential role in making Canada a more inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant country.

“Last year, the Government of Canada held extensive consultations in all provinces and territories to hear from Canadians about the realities and challenges surrounding our two official languages. These conversations are guiding our work to develop the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-28, which will be introduced later this year. The Action Plan is an important part of our efforts to modernize Canada’s linguistic regime, in addition to improvements to the Official Languages Act set out in Bill C-13 to ensure the promotion of French across the country.

“The French language allows us to maintain close ties with over 300 million Francophones on five continents. Canada works with a number of states and governments to promote the French language, cultural diversity, and important shared values. This includes peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, inclusive growth, education, and economic cooperation for sustainable development. That is why Canada intends to strengthen the already strong ties we have with other Francophone countries.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage you to take part in activities taking place in your communities to mark this important day and to share the hashtags #Francophoniedelavenir and #mon20mars on social media. I wish all Francophones and Francophiles in Canada and around the world a wonderful International Day of La Francophonie.”

Statement by the Prime Minister on Nowruz

March 20, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Nowruz:

“Today, Iranian, Afghan, Kurdish, Zoroastrian, Bahá’í, Central Asian, Ismaili, Azerbaijani, Tajik, and many other communities around the world celebrate Nowruz – the Persian New Year. Occurring at the exact time of the spring equinox, this ancient tradition reaches between generations and beyond borders, uniting over 300 million people around the world, particularly in communities with a strong Persian cultural influence.

“We join all those who celebrate Nowruz in welcoming the arrival of spring and marking the renewal of nature. Festivities include reading poetry, gathering around the haft-sin table, exchanging gifts, and sharing festive meals.

“This year has been particularly difficult for Iranians, especially women, as they demand respect for their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. We stand in solidarity with them, echoing and amplifying their calls for change based on equality, respect, and justice. Let’s celebrate Nowruz as an opportunity to look ahead with hope and optimism for a better future.

“I invite everyone in Canada to celebrate the many communities that observe this day, and their important contributions to our country. On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating today a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year.

“Har Ruz etan Nowruz, Nowruz etan Pyrouz.”

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau...

 Building more homes, faster

March 17, 2023
Guelph, Ontario

Right now, in cities across the country, it is too hard to build the housing we need, particularly affordable housing. Housing policies are often barriers to producing results and many Canadians – from young families, to seniors, to newcomers – are finding it harder to find an affordable place to call home. It is clear that we need to accelerate change so the system works for all Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was in Guelph, Ontario today to launch the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4 billion initiative that will provide funding for local governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada. Local governments are now invited to develop innovative action plans, in line with the flexible criteria, to remove barriers to building more homes, faster.

The Fund will help cities, towns, and Indigenous governments unlock new housing supply by speeding up development and approvals, like fixing out-of-date permitting systems, introducing zoning reforms to build more density, or incentivizing development close to public transit. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be innovative in their approaches. They could be accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, encouraging affordable housing units, and more. The Fund will provide upfront funding to support implementation, as well as additional funds upon delivering results.

Over the next decade, the Government of Canada aims to double the rate of housing construction to make housing more affordable. Building more housing, including affordable housing, is a key part of making life more affordable and building an economy that works for all Canadians. When we work together across orders of government, we can build a better future for the middle class and people working hard to join it.

Quotes

“Canada has the fastest growing population in the G7, but our housing supply hasn’t kept up with demand. The Housing Accelerator Fund will help local governments cut red tape and backlogs, build the housing we need, and give more people in Canada a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue to work to make life more affordable and create stronger, more prosperous communities from coast to coast to coast.”

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada