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Dear maria, In today's edition we focus on how the IMF is updating its policy advice to meet new challenges, the IMF's proposal for ending the pandemic, making rent affordable in Europe, taxing multinationals in Europe, a new upcoming issue of Finance & Development, and much more. On that note, let's dive right in. THE FUTURE OF IMF POLICY ADVICE The global economy is changing fast. So are the challenges countries face, whether it's the still ongoing pandemic or the existential threat of climate change. The IMF is responding too as it modernizes the way it provides its regular policy advice to member countries--a process known as surveillance. To confront these changes, the Fund’s policy advice is evolving, both on substance and in the way the Fund engages with its members, the IMF's Fabian Bornhorst and Ceyla Pazarbasioglu write in a new blog. The new direction of this key pillar of IMF work is highlighted in the 2021 Comprehensive Surveillance Review, recently approved by the Fund’s Executive Board. It outlines four priorities: confronting risks and uncertainties, preempting and mitigating spillovers, fostering economic sustainability, and a unified approach to policy advice. What it means in practice: Regular economic assessment reports will be more focused, and better integrate macrofinancial aspects, risk assessment and contingency planning, spillovers, and capacity development. New technologies and enhanced data availability will help to modernize business practices and enhance the relevance of surveillance. Policy advice will also become more granular and country-specific.   Watch a short video below explaining the IMF's new approach to regular policy advice. Read the full blog here or visit the IMF's Comprehensive Surveillance Review website.   A PROPOSAL TO END THE PANDEMIC IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva continued her appeal for a groundbreaking new proposal that could bring the pandemic substantially under control worldwide through a pragmatic plan for funding vaccine access. "The most important message of our proposal is a coordinated effort up front can bring enormous benefits. Between now and [20]25, the world economy can benefit by $9 trillion if we accelerate the exit from the pandemic, of which 60 percent will go to the developing world, 40 percent to rich countries," she said in an interview with Bloomberg. The proposal developed by the IMF's Gita Gopinath and Ruchir Agarwal sets the goal of vaccinating at least 40 percent of the population in all countries by the end of 2021 and at least 60 percent by the first half of 2022; tracking and insuring against downside risks; and ensuring widespread testing and tracing, maintaining adequate stocks of therapeutics, and enforcing public health measures in places where vaccine coverage is low. "When we look at it from from an IMF perspective, our duty is to tell our members how they can be more prosperous," Georgieva said in an interview with the BBC. "Well, one way to be more prosperous is get out of this pandemic as fast as you can. We have seen it. Just to make a point that this is not so out of out of reach."  Watch a short video to hear Gopinath and Agarwal explain the proposal. THE PATH FORWARD During a discussion this week with the Washington Post's David Ignatius, the Managing Director shared two key lessons from the pandemic: First, in good times, invest in strong fundamentals. Second, we have to expand our definition of resilience--invest in resilient people, a resilient planet, and resilient economies None of the problems we had before the pandemic–like low productivity and high inequality–have gone away. Coming out of the crisis, we have to invest in enhancing productivity, and be much more determined to work together, Georgieva said. MAKING THE RENT MORE AFFORDABLE IN EUROPE Even before the pandemic, many store or restaurant workers living in a major city in Europe had to spend more than half of their household’s income on rent. During the pandemic, many of them have seen their incomes fall, pushing up their share of income going to rent. Since low-income and young renters tend to work more frequently in contact-intensive sectors or hold insecure jobs, government policies are needed to make sure that these households do not get left behind as economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis, the IMF's Alfred Kammer, Andrea Schaechter, and Andreas Tudyka write in a new blog. In our recent study of 17 advanced European economies, a typical renter household spent about 25 percent of its income on rent in 2018, while a young family paid nearly one-third of their earnings on renting. For a household in the lowest 20 percent of the income distribution, the share of income needed for rent was much higher, at 40 percent--the threshold at which a household is considered overburdened by rent payments. Policies to make rental housing more affordable:  -Effective policies should include efforts that enhance long-term income opportunities for low-income households and the young.  -The most powerful immediate policy tool is to raise the levels and coverage of portable housing allowances, which can be used flexibly across locations.  -Governments should also launch initiatives that increase the supply of affordable housing. Read the full blog here.  Watch Kammer and Schaechter discuss rental affordability in Europe with members of the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. TAXING MULTINATIONALS IN EUROPE The IMF's Vitor Gaspar and Victoria Perry discussed this week how countries can better coordinate their corporate tax policies. The presentation at a conference of the European Economic and Social Committee came on the heels of the release of a new IMF Departmental Paper on taxing multinational companies in Europe by the IMF's Ernesto Crivelli, Ruud A. de Mooij, J. E. J. De Vrijer, Shafik Hebous, and Alexander D Klemm. Gaspar said the unique institutional structure in the EU—with its objective to fully integrate goods, labor, and capital markets—demands deeper forms of coordination among its member states to address the challenges of tax competition.  Watch the event here. GENDER, MONEY AND FINANCE ICYMI, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva took part in the 1st Vienna Economic Dialogue on Gender, Money, and Finance, on Thursday, May 20. The Managing Director joined Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank, for a discussion on Gender and Economic Policy-Making.  Georgieva said German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the woman who has had the biggest impact on her. She recounted a past visit by Merkel, who was then Germany's environment minister, to the World Bank with an all-woman delegation. Georgieva, then an environmental economist, noted she was one of the few women representing World Bank staff.  "That picture was embedded in my brain. And it actually led me to recognize that I personally have a responsibility to step up, that women have to take charge," she said. "I have one message to women that are listening: support other women." The discussion was preceded by remarks by Barbara Kolm, Vice-President of the General Council, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) and Robert Holzmann, Governor, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB). A livestream of the remarks and discussion can be accessed here. The conference is hosted by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) in cooperation with SUERF – The European Money and Finance Forum and the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI). More information about the conference can be found here. F&D: THE NEW MORALITY OF DEBT Society has long debated the morality of debt. In ancient times, debt was viewed in many cultures as sinful, with lending at interest especially repugnant. These concerns continue to influence perceptions of lending and the regulation of credit markets today. Nikita Aggarwal is a research associate at the Digital Ethics Lab at Oxford University's Internet Institute. In this podcast, Aggarwal says our increasingly online lives prove a valuable source of data for lenders and add new dimensions to debt’s morality. Her article, The New Morality of Debt, is published in the March 2021 issue of Finance and Development Magazine.  NEW F&D ISSUE: WHAT NEXT FOR EMERGING MARKETS The COVID-19 pandemic has been a momentous test for emerging markets. This diverse group of countries has been hit by the crisis to varying degrees and face different challenges. Some countries, like China, were able to contain the virus relatively quickly and have managed to grow despite the odds. Others could be struggling to deal with the aftereffects of the pandemic for years to come. The June edition of Finance & Development explores several cross-cutting issues affecting this group of countries, including debt sustainability, market turbulence, prospects for growth, and the pandemic’s effect on inequality. Click here to read the new issue when it is released Wednesday, June 2 at 12 p.m. ET. IMF AROUND THE WORLD The IMF Executive Board this week announced the conclusion of Article IV economic assessment consultations with Luxembourg and Slovenia.  IMF staff also concluded an Article IV mission and second review for the 12-month Stand-By Arrangement for Egypt. Staff also concluded virtual missions to Uruguay and the Central African Republic. RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS: To date, 86 countries have received more than $110 billion in financial assistance in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Find out more in our  lending tracker, which visualizes the latest emergency financial assistance and debt relief to member countries approved by the IMF’s Executive Board.  Overall, the IMF is currently making about $250 billion, a quarter of its $1 trillion lending capacity, available to member countries. Looking for our Q&A about the IMF's response to COVID-19? Click here. We are also continually producing a special series of notes—about 100 to date—by IMF experts to help members address the economic effects of COVID-19 on a range of topics including fiscal, legal, statistical, tax and more. HAVE YOUR SAY Thank you again very much for your interest in the Weekend Read. We really appreciate your time. Please feel free to provide any feedback on our efforts to update the layout and readability of the newsletter. Sincerely, Adam Behsudi Deputy Editor, IMF Weekend Read abehsudi@IMF.org     Dear maria, We just published a new blog—please find the full text below. Translations coming soon.   Making Affordable Rental Housing Part of Europe’s Recovery By Alfred Kammer, Andrea Schaechter, and Andreas Tudyka Already before the pandemic, many store or restaurant workers living in a major city in Europe had to spend more than half of their household’s income on rent. During the pandemic, many of them have seen their incomes fall, pushing up their share of income going to rent. Since low-income and young renters tend to work more frequently in contact-intensive sectors or hold insecure jobs, government policies are needed to make sure that these households do not get left behind as economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Worrying trends During the past decade, rental housing has become less affordable across many European economies. In our recent study of 17 advanced European economies, a typical renter household spent about 25 percent of its income on rent in 2018, while a young family paid nearly one-third of their earnings on renting. For a household in the lowest 20 percent of the income distribution, the share of income needed for rent was much higher, at 40 percent. This number—40 percent—is generally the threshold for a household to be considered overburdened by rent payments. It is jarring that in nearly three quarters of the countries analyzed, about half or more low-income renters were overburdened in 2018. The rates were particularly high among the 16-29-year-olds and in major cities. During 2013–18, in some capitals rental price increases surpassed country-level rent growth by multiple times, for example, in Lisbon, Dublin, Madrid, Reykjavik, Stockholm, and the City of Luxembourg.   In contrast to renters, housing costs for homeowners have dropped since 2014. A renter typically spends over one and a half times what a homeowner spends on housing when measured as a share of disposable income. And this discrepancy has widened between 2011–13 and 2016–18, particularly for the poorest—those in the bottom 20 percent of the income distribution—by about 4 percentage points. This is shown by the green bars in the chart. That means, while homeowners generally benefited directly from the low interest rates during this period, renters did not.   Reasons behind rising rental affordability pressures Our analysis finds that rising economic output did not translate into disposable income gains that compensated sufficiently for rising rental costs, particularly for low-income households. In addition, greater urbanization, structural transformation toward high-skilled employment in services, and a higher incidence of tourism have increased affordability pressures for renters, especially those with lower incomes. In other words, poorer households have not been able to reap much of the benefits of their changing and growing economies. The pandemic is likely making matters worse Many people who rent are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 crisis as they work more frequently in contact-intensive industries, are in the early stages of their career with little job security, and generally have lower access to telework. Their incomes are expected to take several years to recover, and a return to normal will likely take longer for those who need to transition into new sectors. Lower rental costs would partly offset these income losses, but so far, rent reductions have been observed mostly in some tourist hotspots and mainly for high-end properties. Moreover, it is highly uncertain how widespread and long-lasting behavioral changes that could moderate rental costs would be. As a result, the trends of economic divergence and inequities that were already in place before the pandemic will likely intensify.   Policies to make rental housing more affordable Addressing rental affordability is difficult because housing policies are complex. They often address multiple goals, among which affordability, well-balanced landlord-tenant regulations, and equal access to opportunities are only some aspects. In general, effective policies should include efforts that enhance long-term income opportunities for low-income households and the young, so that they benefit from the structural transformation of the economy. The most powerful immediate policy tool is to raise the levels and coverage of portable housing allowances, which can be used flexibly across locations. This measure lends itself to quick deployment and effective targeting. It would provide support during the recovery and beyond, and reduce the rent expenses of low-income families anywhere in the private market. Governments should also launch initiatives that increase the supply of affordable housing to alleviate demand pressures more permanently. In particular, governments could invest more in social rental housing—accommodation that is provided at subsidized rents—especially where the stock has been falling and is low. They could also adjust financial incentives, for example, by taxing vacant properties and shifting some housing subsidies away from those that favor high-income homeowners toward private investment in rental housing development. In the European Union, funding from the Next Generation EU package provides an opportunity to make investment in social housing and public infrastructure an integral part of the pandemic recovery strategy. Greater housing investment would support inclusive growth by creating employment, providing more affordable rental housing and facilitating access to jobs across locations. The pandemic is expected to worsen the affordability of rental housing and inequality trends that were already present before COVID-19 hit Europe. Governments need to step up efforts urgently to avoid low-income renters and the young from being left further behind. This blog draws on a joint paper by Khalid Elfayoumi, Izabela Karpowicz, Jenny Lee, Marina Marinkov, Aiko Mineshima, Jorge Salas, Andreas Tudyka, and Andrea Schaechter. Alfred Kammer is the Director of the IMF's European Department. Andrea Schaechter is an advisor in the IMF’s European Department.  Andreas Tudyka is an economist in the IMF's European Department. Thank you again for your interest in IMF Blog. Read more of our latest content here. Take good care, Glenn Gottselig Blog Editor, IMF GGottselig@IMF.org

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement..

 Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

May 29, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers:

“Today, we honour United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, past and present, who have served at great personal risk and sacrifice to promote peace, restore stability, and protect those most in need. We also pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace.

“For over 70 years, UN peacekeepers have worked tirelessly every day to provide essential help to those affected by conflicts, and to help people and communities rebuild after violence and war and navigate the road from conflict to peace. While carrying out their duties, they often find themselves in dangerous situations. Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, UN peacekeepers have faced greater challenges and threats than ever before. Not only are they coping with the impacts of the pandemic, but they also have the continued responsibility to support and protect the people in the countries in which they serve.

“This year’s theme, ‘The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security’, reminds us that tens of thousands of peacekeepers between the ages of 18 and 29 are currently deployed around the world in 12 different operations, playing a major role in protecting those most vulnerable and building sustainable peace.

“As a strong supporter of UN peacekeeping operations, Canada has taken a leadership role to meet the changing nature of missions and prepare for the future of peacekeeping. With our international partners, we continue to develop new approaches to better protect children, increase the participation of women in peace operations, and help peacekeepers meet the new challenges.

“That is why we launched and support the implementation of the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. To date, our efforts have led to 101 UN Member States joining Canada in endorsing the Vancouver Principles, and we continue to work with the UN and partners to ensure that the Principles are integrated into their policies and practices.

“As part of our support to UN peacekeeping operations and of our work to implement the Women, peace and security agenda, Canada also launched the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations, with a focus on police and military roles. Canada is working with partners across the UN system, member states, think tanks, and civil society to identify effective ways to eliminate barriers to women’s participation and support a more inclusive future for UN peace operations.

“Canada is also continuing to support UN peace operations around the world through deployments of military, police and civilian personnel, specialized capabilities and substantial financial contributions, including the work that we have completed as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to promote peace, security, and gender equality in the Sahel region. We will continue to work with the UN and our partners to support, reform, and modernize UN peacekeeping to respond to our changing global environment.

“On this important day, I invite all Canadians to join me in thanking UN peacekeepers who sacrifice so much to help make the world a better place. Today, we recognize their courage, their sacrifices, and their tireless work in the service of peace.”

Déclaration du premier ministre à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des Casques bleus de l’Organisation des Nations Unies

Le 29 mai 2021
Ottawa (Ontario)

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau a fait aujourd’hui la déclaration suivante à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des Casques bleus de l’Organisation des Nations Unies :

« Aujourd’hui, nous rendons hommage aux Casques bleus de l’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU), passés et présents, qui ont servi au prix de grands risques et sacrifices personnels pour promouvoir la paix, restaurer la stabilité et protéger ceux qui en ont le plus besoin. Nous rendons également hommage à ceux qui ont perdu la vie au service de la paix.

« Depuis plus de 70 ans, les Casques bleus de l’ONU travaillent sans relâche chaque jour pour apporter une aide essentielle aux personnes touchées par les conflits, et pour aider les personnes et les communautés à se rétablir après la violence et la guerre et à faire la transition du conflit à la paix. Dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions, ils se retrouvent souvent dans des situations dangereuses. Depuis le début de la pandémie mondiale de COVID-19, les Casques bleus de l’ONU ont été confrontés à des défis et des menaces plus importants que jamais. Non seulement doivent-ils composer avec les effets de la pandémie, mais ils doivent également continuer à soutenir et à protéger les populations des pays dans lesquels ils servent.

« Le thème de cette année, "La voie vers une paix durable : mobiliser le pouvoir de la jeunesse en faveur de la paix et de la sécurité", nous rappelle que des dizaines de milliers de jeunes Casques bleus, âgés de 18 à 29 ans, sont actuellement déployés dans 12 opérations différentes de par le monde, jouant un rôle majeur dans la protection des plus vulnérables et l’édification d’une paix durable.

« Résolument engagé en faveur des opérations de maintien de la paix de l’ONU, le Canada a joué un rôle de chef de file pour s’adapter à la nature changeante des missions et se préparer aux opérations futures de maintien de la paix. Avec nos partenaires internationaux, nous continuons à élaborer de nouvelles approches pour mieux protéger les enfants, accroître la participation des femmes aux opérations de paix et aider les Casques bleus à relever les nouveaux défis.

« C’est pourquoi nous avons lancé et appuyons la mise en œuvre des Principes de Vancouver sur le maintien de la paix et la prévention du recrutement et de l’utilisation d’enfants-soldats. À ce jour, nos efforts ont conduit 101 États membres de l’ONU à se joindre au Canada pour approuver les Principes de Vancouver, et nous continuons de travailler avec l’ONU et ses partenaires pour veiller à ce que les Principes soient intégrés dans leurs politiques et pratiques.

« Dans le cadre de notre soutien aux opérations de maintien de la paix de l’ONU et de notre travail de mise en œuvre du Programme sur les femmes, la paix et la sécurité, le Canada a également lancé l’Initiative Elsie pour la participation des femmes aux opérations de paix, afin d’accroître la participation significative des femmes en uniforme aux opérations de paix des Nations Unies, en mettant l’accent sur les rôles de la police et des militaires. Le Canada travaille avec des partenaires dans l’ensemble du système de l’ONU ainsi qu’avec des États membres, des groupes de réflexion et la société civile pour trouver des moyens efficaces d’éliminer les obstacles à la participation des femmes et de favoriser un avenir plus inclusif pour les opérations de paix des Nations Unies.

« Le Canada continue également d’appuyer les opérations de paix des Nations Unies partout dans le monde par le déploiement de personnel militaire, policier et civil, de capacités spécialisées et d’importantes contributions financières, y compris le travail que nous avons accompli dans le cadre de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali pour promouvoir la paix, la stabilité et l’égalité des sexes au Sahel. Nous continuerons de travailler avec l’ONU et nos partenaires pour soutenir, réformer et moderniser les opérations de maintien de la paix des Nations Unies afin de mieux répondre à notre environnement mondial en mutation.

« En cette journée importante, j’invite tous les Canadiens à se joindre à moi pour remercier les Casques bleus de l’ONU qui font tant de sacrifices pour rendre le monde meilleur. Aujourd’hui, nous reconnaissons leur courage, leurs sacrifices et leur travail inlassable au service de la paix. »

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom

May 28, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson spoke about the deep ties that unite Canada and the United Kingdom, including trade that benefits workers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. They welcomed the coming into force of the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement, and looked forward to future negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. The Prime Minister welcomed the UK’s interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson discussed the global COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken in Canada and in the United Kingdom to keep people safe and protect livelihoods. They highlighted the importance of a coordinated international response that leaves no country behind, and ongoing efforts to ensure efficient and equitable access to vaccines.

The two leaders discussed the importance of accelerating action on climate change and opportunities for collaboration during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Carbis Bay, UK, from June 11 to 13. They looked forward to making progress on shared priorities, including ending COVID-19 and strengthening pandemic preparedness, as well as a global economic recovery that benefits everyone, climate change, and gender equality. They emphasized the importance of G7 shared values and solidarity in addressing today’s global challenges.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson looked forward to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting taking place in Rwanda when conditions allow.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed appreciation for the United Kingdom’s strong support regarding the Arbitrary Detention initiative. The two leaders discussed the tragic downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and the need for transparency, accountability, and justice for the families of the victims.

The two leaders discussed the importance of upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring that international organizations and rules are strengthened to confront today’s challenges. Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Johnson exchanged views on the need for solidarity against rising authoritarianism and committed to continue working together with other partners.

Associated links

• Canada and the United Kingdom relations
• Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA)
• Canada and the G7
• 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26)
• G7 statement on Belarus

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau s’entretient avec le premier ministre Boris Johnson du Royaume-Uni

Le 28 mai 2021
Ottawa (Ontario)

Aujourd’hui, le premier ministre Justin Trudeau s’est entretenu avec le premier ministre Boris Johnson du Royaume-Uni.

Le premier ministre Trudeau et le premier ministre Johnson ont discuté des liens étroits qui unissent le Canada et le Royaume-Uni, notamment sur le plan du commerce dont profitent les travailleurs et les entreprises des deux côtés de l’Atlantique. Ils ont salué l’entrée en vigueur de l’Accord de continuité commerciale Canada–Royaume-Uni et ont envisagé avec enthousiasme de futures négociations entourant un accord de libre-échange bilatéral. Le premier ministre a aussi salué l’intérêt du Royaume-Uni à adhérer au Partenariat transpacifique global et progressiste.

Le premier ministre Trudeau et le premier ministre Johnson ont discuté de la pandémie mondiale de COVID-19 et des mesures mises en place au Canada et au Royaume-Uni pour assurer la sécurité des gens et protéger leurs emplois. Ils ont souligné l’importance d’apporter une réponse internationale concertée qui ne laisse aucun pays pour compte, ainsi que des efforts déployés pour assurer un accès efficace et équitable aux vaccins.

Les deux dirigeants ont parlé de l’importance d’accélérer l’action contre les changements climatiques et des possibilités de collaboration lors du Sommet des dirigeants du G7 qui se tiendra à Carbis Bay, au Royaume-Uni, du 11 au 13 juin. Ils se sont dits impatients de faire des progrès relativement à leurs priorités communes, notamment pour vaincre la COVID-19 et améliorer la préparation aux pandémies, ainsi qu’une relance économique mondiale qui profite à tous, les changements climatiques et l’égalité des sexes. Ils ont souligné l’importance des valeurs communes et de la solidarité du G7 pour aborder les défis mondiaux d’aujourd'hui.

Le premier ministre Trudeau et le premier ministre Johnson ont dit attendre avec enthousiasme la prochaine Réunion des chefs de gouvernement du Commonwealth qui se tiendra au Rwanda, lorsque les conditions le permettront.

Le premier ministre Trudeau a exprimé sa reconnaissance pour le solide appui du Royaume-Uni à l’initiative du Canada contre la détention arbitraire. Les deux dirigeants ont discuté de l’abattement tragique du vol 752 de la Ukraine International Airlines et de la nécessité d’exiger la transparence, la reddition de compte et la justice pour les familles des victimes.

Les deux dirigeants ont discuté de l’importance de défendre l’ordre international fondé sur des règles et de faire en sorte de renforcer les organisations et les règles internationales pour surmonter les défis d’aujourd'hui. Le premier ministre Trudeau et le premier ministre Johnson ont échangé leurs points de vue sur la nécessité de faire preuve de solidarité face à la montée de l’autoritarisme et se sont engagés à continuer de travailler ensemble ainsi qu’avec d’autres partenaires.

Liens connexes

• Relations entre le Canada et le Royaume-Uni
• Accord de continuité commerciale Canada–Royaume-Uni (ACC Canada-Royaume-Uni)
• Le Canada et le G7
• 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) (en anglais seulement)
• Déclaration du G7 sur le Bélarus

Making life more affordable for Canadian parents

May 28, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

The global COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult for Canadian families. That’s why the Government of Canada has taken action to support parents through this crisis and helped make life more affordable for all families, including through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Since its implementation in 2016, the CCB has given more money to about nine out of ten Canadian families, grown the middle class, and helped lift nearly 435,000 children out of poverty.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that families entitled to the CCB will receive additional support of up to $1,200 for each child under the age of six. This temporary measure will put money directly into the pockets of Canadian families to better help them cope with the pressures of the pandemic.

Families with a net income of $120,000 or less will receive up to four tax-free payments of $300. Families with a net income above $120,000 will receive up to four tax-free payments of $150, for a total benefit of up to $600. To ensure that more money goes to the families that need it the most, families with net incomes that are too high to be entitled to the CCB will not receive these additional payments.

The first and second payments will be issued today, with subsequent payments on July 30 and October 29, 2021. This measure will benefit approximately 1.6 million Canadian families and approximately 2.1 million children under the age of six.

Many families with young children have been struggling with a wide range of expenses during the pandemic. These payments will make life easier for them to afford healthy food, short-term child care, and at-home learning activities. While we finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back better for everyone, the Government of Canada will continue to make life more affordable for Canadian families and grow the middle class.

Quotes

“This immediate investment in our children will help hard-working parents provide for their families by putting more money directly in their pockets. We will continue to make life more affordable for Canadian families, grow the middle class, and build a better country for everyone.”

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

“Having raised my children as a working mother, I know the challenges that parents face when balancing the well-being of their children with economic necessity. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting families with young children as we work together towards recovery and a return to a new normal for all Canadians.”

The Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

“We know it’s been a tough year for Canadians, and especially for parents with young children. We are continually looking for the best ways to tailor our programs like the Canada Child Benefit to address the real challenges they face every day, including keeping up with the high costs of raising kids. That’s why our government is kicking in additional support for parents this year as we weather the pandemic and continue to build back a stronger, more prosperous Canada.”

The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• The CCB is a simple, tax-free monthly payment based on income, and provides increased support for those who need it most, to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. 
• As an added measure in May 2020, the government delivered almost $2 billion in additional support through a special, one-time top-up of the CCB of up to $300 per child, benefitting approximately 3.7 million families.
• Today’s investment was included in the Fall Economic Statement 2020, and approved on May 6, 2021 through the adoption of Bill C-14, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures.
• Families that already receive the CCB will not need to take any action to receive the payments. However, families do need to file their 2019 and 2020 tax returns to access them.
• The payments that will be made today for each of the first two quarters – January and April – are based on the family net income for 2019.
• The July and October payments will be based on the family net income for 2020. This may mean that payment amounts differ for some families midway through the year.
• Families that have not yet filed for either year could still be entitled to receive the CCB and the CCB young child supplement by filing their income taxes as soon as possible.
• Agencies that receive children’s special allowances (CSA) payments will also receive up to four tax-free CCB young child supplement equivalent payments of $300 for each child under the age of six for whom the CSA is paid in January, April, July, or October 2021.

Associated Links

• Up to $1,200 more per child for 1.6 million families across Canada
• CCB young child supplement, 2021
• Legislation for Critical Pandemic Support Receives Royal Assent
• Canada child benefit
• Children's special allowances (CSA)
• Fall Economic Statement 2020: Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19

Rendre la vie plus abordable pour les parents canadiens

Le 28 mai 2021
Ottawa (Ontario)

La pandémie mondiale de COVID-19 a rendu la vie des familles canadiennes plus difficile. C’est pourquoi le gouvernement du Canada a agi en vue de soutenir les parents durant cette crise et a contribué à rendre la vie de toutes les familles plus abordable, notamment grâce à l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants (ACE). Depuis son entrée en vigueur en 2016, l’ACE a mis plus d’argent dans les poches d’environ neuf familles canadiennes sur dix, a favorisé la croissance de la classe moyenne et a aidé à sortir près de 435 000 enfants de la pauvreté.

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau a annoncé aujourd'hui que les familles qui sont admissibles à l’ACE recevront une aide supplémentaire pouvant atteindre 1 200 dollars pour chaque enfant de moins de six ans. Cette mesure temporaire permettra de redonner directement plus d’argent aux familles canadiennes et de mieux les aider à faire face aux pressions liées à la pandémie.

Les familles dont le revenu net est de 120 000 dollars ou moins recevront un maximum de quatre paiements non imposables de 300 dollars. Les familles dont le revenu net est supérieur à 120 000 dollars recevront un maximum de quatre paiements non imposables de 150 dollars, pour un total pouvant atteindre 600 dollars. Pour veiller à ce que davantage d'argent aille aux familles qui en ont le plus besoin, les familles dont le revenu net est trop élevé pour avoir droit à l'ACE ne recevront pas ces paiements supplémentaires.

Les deux premiers paiements seront émis aujourd'hui, et ceux qui restent seront versés le 30 juillet et le 29 octobre 2021. Cette mesure profitera à environ 1,6 million de familles canadiennes et à environ 2,1 millions d’enfants de moins de six ans.

De nombreuses familles ayant de jeunes enfants ont dû assumer un large éventail de dépenses pendant la pandémie. Ces paiements leur faciliteront la vie en leur permettant de se procurer des aliments sains, de recourir à des services de garde à court terme et d’organiser des activités d'apprentissage à la maison. Pendant que nous achevons notre lutte contre la COVID-19 et que nous rebâtissons en mieux pour tout le monde, le gouvernement du Canada continuera à rendre la vie des familles canadiennes plus abordable et à faire croître la classe moyenne.

Citations

« Cet investissement immédiat dans nos enfants aidera les parents qui travaillent fort à subvenir aux besoins de leur famille en se voyant remettre directement plus d’argent dans leurs poches. Nous continuerons à rendre la vie des familles canadiennes plus abordable, à faire croître la classe moyenne et à bâtir un pays meilleur pour tout le monde. »

Le très hon. Justin Trudeau, premier ministre du Canada

« Ayant élevé mes enfants en tant que mère au travail, je sais à quel point il est difficile pour les parents de trouver l’équilibre entre le bien-être des enfants et les nécessités économiques. Le gouvernement du Canada est résolu à soutenir les familles ayant de jeunes enfants pendant que nous travaillons ensemble à amorcer la relance et à retrouver une nouvelle normalité pour tous les Canadiens. »

L’hon. Diane Lebouthillier, ministre du Revenu national

« Nous savons que cette année a été difficile pour les Canadiens, particulièrement pour les parents ayant de jeunes enfants. Nous cherchons continuellement les meilleures façons d’adapter nos programmes, comme l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants, afin d’aider les parents à faire face aux défis bien réels qu’ils rencontrent chaque jour, notamment pour assumer les coûts élevés liés au fait d’élever des enfants. C’est pourquoi notre gouvernement lance cette année une nouvelle mesure d’aide pour les parents, pendant que nous traversons la pandémie et continuons à rebâtir un Canada plus fort et plus prospère. »

L’hon. Ahmed Hussen, ministre de la Famille, des Enfants et du Développement social

Faits saillants

• L’ACE est une prestation mensuelle non imposable fondée sur le revenu qui apporte un soutien accru à ceux qui en ont le plus besoin, pour les aider à subvenir aux besoins de leurs enfants de moins de 18 ans. 
• Dans le cadre d’une mesure ajoutée à l’ACE en mai 2020, le gouvernement a versé près de 2 milliards de dollars d'aide supplémentaire sous la forme d’un supplément ponctuel spécial pouvant atteindre 300 dollars par enfant. Près de 3,7 millions de familles en ont bénéficié.
• L’investissement d’aujourd'hui était annoncé dans l’Énoncé économique de l’automne de 2020 et a été approuvé le 6 mai 2021 par l’adoption du projet de loi C‑14, Loi portant exécution de certaines dispositions de l'énoncé économique déposé au Parlement le 30 novembre 2020 et mettant en œuvre d'autres mesures.
• Les familles qui touchent déjà l’ACE n’ont aucune mesure à prendre pour recevoir les paiements. Cependant, les familles doivent avoir soumis leurs déclarations de revenus pour les années 2019 et 2020 afin d'y avoir accès.
• Les paiements émis aujourd'hui pour les deux premiers trimestres – janvier et avril – sont calculés en fonction du revenu familial net pour l’année 2019.
• Les paiements de juillet et d’octobre seront calculés en fonction du revenu familial net pour l’année 2020. Pour cette raison, les montants que reçoivent certaines familles pourraient changer en milieu d’année.
• Les familles n’ayant pas encore soumis leurs déclarations de revenus pour ces deux années pourraient quand même être admissibles à l’ACE et à l’ACE supplément pour jeunes enfants en faisant leur déclaration de revenus le plus tôt possible.
• Les organismes qui touchent les allocations spéciales pour enfants (ASE) recevront également l’équivalent de l’ACE supplément pour jeunes enfants de 300 $ pour chaque enfant de moins de six ans pour lequel l’ASE est versée en janvier, avril, juillet ou octobre 2021.

Liens connexes

• Jusqu’à 1 200 $ supplémentaires par enfant pour 1,6 million de familles canadiennes
• ACE supplément pour jeunes enfants, 2021
• La loi fournissant un soutien critique lié à la pandémie reçoit la sanction royale
• Allocation canadienne pour enfants
• Allocations spéciales pour enfants (ASE)
• Énoncé économique de l'automne de 2020 : Soutenir les Canadiens et lutter contre la COVID-19

The Prime Minister announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service

May 28, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

Thao Pham, currently Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy Minister, COVID Recovery, Privy Council Office, effective May 31, 2021.

Shawn Tupper, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, becomes Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office, effective May 31, 2021.

Christopher MacLennan, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also serve as Personal Representative of the Prime Minister for the G20 Summit, effective immediately.

Biographical notes

• Thao Pham
• Shawn Tupper
• Christopher MacLennan

Le premier ministre annonce des changements aux échelons supérieurs de la fonction publique

Le 28 mai 2021
Ottawa (Ontario)

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau a annoncé aujourd’hui les changements suivants aux échelons supérieurs de la fonction publique :

Thao Pham, actuellement sous-secrétaire du Cabinet (Opérations), Bureau du Conseil privé, devient sous-ministre, Relance suite à la COVID, Bureau du Conseil privé, à compter du 31 mai 2021.

Shawn Tupper, actuellement sous-ministre délégué des Ressources naturelles, devient sous-secrétaire du Cabinet (Opérations), Bureau du Conseil privé, à compter du 31 mai 2021.

Christopher MacLennan, actuellement sous-ministre délégué des Affaires étrangères, agira aussi à titre de représentant personnel du premier ministre au sommet du G20, à compter de maintenant.

Notes biographiques

• Thao Pham
• Shawn Tupper
• Christopher MacLennan

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds 31st call with premiers on COVID-19 response

May 27, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc held the 31st call with Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers to discuss their shared response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. They were joined by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam.

The Prime Minister began the meeting by noting the disturbing increase of antisemitism and acts of hate, including discrimination against Arab-Canadians, across Canada. He stressed the need to combat antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and to celebrate diversity.

First Ministers continued their discussions on the COVID-19 situation, noting that while case numbers are steadily declining across the country, some jurisdictions continue to face pressures on their health care systems. Dr. Tam provided an assessment of the third wave and an update on the latest modelling data. The Prime Minister highlighted federal support available to provinces and territories as they continue to manage this third wave.

Prime Minister Trudeau provided an update on the vaccine rollout, highlighting that Canada is on track to meet its target of ensuring that every eligible Canadian has access to a vaccine by Canada Day and can be fully vaccinated by September. He assured premiers that the federal government continues to be in regular contact with vaccine producers to ensure predictable vaccine supply and took good note of requests to continue engaging our U.S. partner on the potential sharing of vaccine doses. The Prime Minister also provided a brief update on the border, noting that the Orders in Council restricting non-essential international travel have been renewed until June 21, as well as restrictions for passengers arriving from India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister noted that positivity rates among international travellers have declined substantially as a result of recent measures.

As Canadians get vaccinated, First Ministers looked to the future and discussed how to safely reopen the economy. Highlighting the reopening plans that many provinces and territories have released, the Prime Minister and premiers spoke about next steps to ensure Canada is prepared to adjust border measures when it is safe to do so. A broad consensus emerged out of the discussion between First Ministers on collaborative efforts to develop a proof of vaccine credential to enable international travel based on sound principles, including respect for provincial and territorial jurisdiction and privacy of health information.

First Ministers also discussed the preliminary results of a review released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on softwood lumber duties. They noted that the results are unjustified, particularly in the current context of unprecedentedly high lumber prices. The Prime Minister confirmed that Canada will continue to vigorously defend Canada’s lumber industry.

First Ministers reiterated their commitment to a collaborative approach to fighting and ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associated links

• Vaccines for COVID-19: Shipments and deliveries
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Government of Canada extends quarantine measures and travel restrictions
• COVID-19: Your safety and security outside Canada
• Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. preliminary duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau tient la 31e téléconférence avec les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires sur la réponse à la COVID-19

Le 27 mai 2021
Ottawa (Ontario)

Aujourd’hui, le premier ministre Justin Trudeau et le ministre des Affaires intergouvernementales Dominic LeBlanc ont tenu la 31^e téléconférence avec les premiers ministres des provinces et des territoires du Canada au sujet de leur réponse commune à la pandémie mondiale de COVID-19. L’administratrice en chef de la santé publique du Canada, la D^re Theresa Tam, était également présente.

Le premier ministre a commencé la réunion en notant l’augmentation inquiétante de l’antisémitisme et des actes de haine au Canada, y compris la discrimination contre les Canadiens d’origine arabe. Il a souligné la nécessité de combattre l’antisémitisme et toutes les formes de discrimination et de célébrer la diversité.

Les premiers ministres ont poursuivi leurs discussions sur la situation entourant la COVID-19. Ils ont souligné que, même si le nombre de cas diminue de façon constante dans tout le pays, les systèmes de soins de santé de certaines administrations continuent d’être soumis à des pressions. La D^re Tam a présenté une évaluation de la troisième vague et fourni une mise à jour des dernières données de modélisation. Le premier ministre a mis en relief le soutien fédéral offert aux provinces et aux territoires pour les aider à gérer cette troisième vague.

Le premier ministre Trudeau a fait le point sur le déploiement des vaccins, soulignant que le Canada est en bonne voie d’atteindre son objectif de faire en sorte que chaque Canadien admissible ait accès à un vaccin d’ici la fête du Canada et puisse être entièrement vacciné d’ici septembre. Il a assuré les premiers ministres que le gouvernement fédéral maintient un contact régulier avec les producteurs de vaccins pour assurer un approvisionnement prévisible et a pris note de la demande de continuer à discuter avec notre partenaire américain d’un éventuel échange de doses de vaccin. Le premier ministre a également fourni une brève mise à jour sur la situation à la frontière, précisant que les décrets visant à restreindre les voyages internationaux non essentiels ont été renouvelés jusqu’au 21 juin, ainsi que les restrictions visant les passagers en provenance de l’Inde et du Pakistan. Le premier ministre a souligné que le taux de positivité des voyageurs internationaux a considérablement diminué grâce aux mesures récemment mises en place.

Alors que les Canadiens se font vacciner, les premiers ministres se sont tournés vers l’avenir et ont discuté de la façon de rouvrir l’économie en toute sécurité. Ils ont évoqué les plans de réouverture annoncés par de nombreux territoires et provinces et ont discuté des étapes à suivre pour veiller à ce que le Canada soit prêt à ajuster les mesures aux frontières lorsqu’il sera sécuritaire de le faire. La discussion entre les premiers ministres a débouché sur un large consensus quant à une collaboration visant à créer une preuve de vaccination qui permettrait aux gens de voyager à l’étranger sur la base de principes solides, notamment le respect des compétences provinciales et territoriales et de la confidentialité des renseignements sur la santé.

Les premiers ministres ont également discuté des résultats préliminaires rendus publics par le Département du commerce des États-Unis au sujet des droits sur le bois d’œuvre. Ils ont souligné que les résultats sont injustifiés, particulièrement dans le contexte actuel où le prix du bois d’œuvre est plus élevé que jamais. Le premier ministre a confirmé que le Canada continuera de défendre vigoureusement l’industrie canadienne du bois d’œuvre.

Les premiers ministres ont réitéré leur engagement à travailler en collaboration afin de combattre et de vaincre la pandémie de COVID-19.

Liens connexes

• Vaccins contre la COVID-19 : Expéditions et livraisons
• Plan d’intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
• Le gouvernement du Canada prolonge l’obligation de se mettre en quarantaine et les restrictions en matière de déplacement
• COVID-19 : Votre sécurité à l’extérieur du Canada
• Déclaration de la ministre Ng au sujet des taux de droits provisoires américains imposés sur le bois d’œuvre résineux canadien