AHEPA Fulfills $1 Million Commitment to Rebuild Saint Nicholas

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2019 AHEPA Fulfills $1 Million Commitment to Rebuild Saint Nicholas Supreme President Loucas (right) and Chairman of the Board Karacostas, PSP (left), present Archbishop Elpidophoros with the fulfillment of AHEPA's $1 million donation to help rebuild St. Nicholas. Photo credit: GOA/Dimitrios S Panagos CHICAGO--AHEPA fulfilled its $1 million donation to rebuild Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at World Trade Center with a presentation of the remaining pledge balance to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the 97th Grand Banquet, July 5, 2019, announced Supreme President George E. Loucas and Chairman of the Board Nicholas A. Karacostas. Supreme President Loucas, and Chairman of the Board Karacostas, who also served as the chairman of AHEPA's Capital Campaign to rebuild Saint Nicholas, presented the donation to Archbishop Elpidophoros. "Since 1922, AHEPA has stood by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America thus creating the 'Twin Pillars of Hellenism' in America that we see today," Loucas said. "We are deeply grateful to the AHEPA family; to our amazing grassroots network of districts, chapters, and dedicated members, all of who made this landmark donation a reality." Karacostas added, "We are proud to be the only secular organization to make and fulfill a one-million-dollar donation to this campaign.  I echo the sentiments of Supreme President Loucas in convey our sincere appreciation to all our donors." Additionally, Loucas and Karacostas expressed confidence Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine will be rebuilt and both hope AHEPA's fulfillment of its pledge will provide the springboard for the additional support the project needs. The 97th Grand Banquet is the pinnacle event of the 97th Annual Supreme Convention, which took place this week in Chicago, Ill. PHOTO CREDIT: GOA/DIMITRIOS S. PANAGOS New Jersey Attorney Horiates Elected Supreme President Sets goal to increase membership collectively between all four Orders to 100,000 CHICAGO -- The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Supreme President Horiates provides his inaugural address. Photo Credit: Dimitrios Panagos/GOA (Order of AHEPA), the leading association for the nation's millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, elected George G. Horiates, Esq., of Moorestown, N.J., Supreme President at the 97th Annual Supreme Convention, Chicago. Horiates, 52, ran unopposed in elections that were held July 5, 2019. Formal installation ceremonies were held July 6, 2019. In his inaugural remarks, Supreme President Horiates paid tribute to our community's immigrant forebears, including his own who came to the United States as survivors of World War II, stating the Greek American community has an obligation to preserve and project its Hellenic heritage to ensure its survives for future generations. Horiates, a member of Chapter 69, Camden, N.J., also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the delegates for entrusting him to lead the Order into the start of the next decade.  He stated he is looking forward to working with the Brotherhood as "One AHEPA." Moreover, Horiates articulated an overarching goal of reinvigorating AHEPA's base while continuing to outreach to the community.  In doing so, he has set the ambitious goal to increase membership collectively between all four Orders of the AHEPA Family to 100,000. AHEPA Leadership 2019 - 2020 The 2019-20 Supreme Lodge. Photo Credit: Dimitrios Panagos The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization. The Executive Committee of the 2019-20 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Canadian President Christos Argiriou, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Supreme Secretary James Stasios, Wilmington, N.C.; Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos, Wayside, N.J.; and Supreme Counselor Louis G. Atsaves, Esq., Lake Forest, Ill. The nine Supreme Governors are: Region I: Demetrios C. Kirkiles, Esq., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Region II: George Papaspyrou, Riva, Md.; Region III: Tom Duchas, Rye, N.Y.;  Region IV: Jack Isaac, New Britain, Conn.; Region V: Alex Anderson, Springfield, Ohio; Region VI: Peter Lekas, Chicago; Region VII: Chris Kaitson, Houston; Region VIII: Alexander Soles, Yorba Linda, Calif.; and Region X: Phanos Pitiris, Nicosia, Cyprus. Sons of Pericles National Advisor is Nick Kavadas, Schereville, Ind.; and Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves, Glenview, Ill. AHEPA Family Elections The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Celia Kachmarski, L-R: Supreme President Horiates, MOA Grand President Ronstadt, DOP Grand President Kachmarski, and SOP Supreme President Pavlakos. Calgary, Alberta, was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Paul Pavlakos, New York, N.Y., was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Theodora Ronstadt, Chicago, was elected Maids of Athena Grand President. The Installation Ceremony of newly-elected officers officially concluded the 97th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began June 30. It was truly a historic Installation Ceremony as it was the first one ever attended by the Archbishop of America with the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. The 2020 Supreme Convention will convene at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Fla.    Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.   AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.

We're Underway! | 2019 Supreme Convention Supreme President George E. Loucas welcomes the attendees. The 97th Annual AHEPA Family Supreme Convention is well underway in Chicago at The Palmer House Hilton. Attendees have flown in from around the world to convene our annual meeting and take in all that Chicago has to offer. Basil's Blog: We're Underway in Chicago! View the schedule. Thank you to our generous sponsors! | Sponsor list  Sons & Maids Reunion Weekend, July 5-7 | Details here Excellence in Athletics Honored in Chicago Today, AHEPA will present awards to outstanding current and former athletes, scholar-athletes, and industry professionals at its Athletic Luncheon held at the Supreme Convention. Five individuals will be inducted into the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame, three standouts will receive national awards, and eight scholar-athletes will also receive honors. | meet our honorees AHEPA Calls for a Stronger Message to Protect American Interests in Eastern Mediterranean In a June 27 letter to President Donald J. Trump, Supreme President George E. Loucas conveyed the Order's grave concern for U.S. security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean due to hostilities and elevated tensions perpetrated by Turkey. | read the letter. The Ahepan Summer Edition is Out! Hot off the electronic press and just in time for this week's Supreme Convention -- the summer 2019 edition of The Ahepanmagazine! This issue recaps the 91st annual Leadership Excursion, features a Greek Independence Day pictorial and news of AHEPA Housing's latest property opening; and shares our chapter's community service programs. Give it a read! Notice of Funding Availability for New Construction of HUD 202 Affordable Elderly Housing  Has your chapter been interested to provide dignified, affordable housing to our nation's low-income elderly through the AHEPA National Housing program? Then now might be a good time. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a round of funding availability (NOFA) for the construction of new Section 202 affordable housing for the elderly--the first such announcement in several years. If interested, AHEPA Management Company has outlined what your chapter needs to know about how to proceed, including who to contact. The deadline to apply is August 28, 2019. Learn More: NOFA Fact Sheet from AHEPA Management Company  Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines July 1 - 6 | 97th Annual AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Chicago 5 - 6 | AHEPA National Basketball Tournament, Chicago 5 - 7 | Sons & Maids Reunion Weekend, Chicago Greek American News Digest Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.   Greece's Voters Turn to Establishment Amid Europe's Populist Wave The Wall Street Journal (June 27) Greece is expected to elect a conservative leader from an eminent political family next month-and become the first European country in recent times to revert to its establishment after being led by populist outsiders. read more Could Ancient Greek Philosophy Help You Work Smarter and Better? New York Times (June 27) Why is your colleague already on step five of a project when you're contemplating how to approach step one? Or why is another co-worker never finished with anything and still another rapidly checking items off the to-do list?  read more  Cyprus takes legal action against firms encroaching its EEZ Ekathimerini (July 2) Cyprus has initiated legal proceedings against three companies involved in gas drilling by Turkey to the west of the island for encroaching on the island's continental shelf, a senior Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday. Officials declined to name the companies, but said they were not Turkish. read more Inspired by Greece, Nike Officially Unveils Giannis Antetokounmpo's Zoom Freak 1The Pappas Post (July 1) Nike has officially unveiled Giannis Antetokounmpo's first signature sneaker, the aptly named Zoom Freak 1. Antetokounmpo was in Athens for the official unveiling and showed off the shoes in action.  read more Greek veterans of Korean War honored in memorial event ANA MPA (June 27) Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Greece, Soosuk Lim, said he will help bring to prominence the actions and sacrifices of the Greek veterans of the Korean War, speaking at a memorial service on the 69th anniversary of the Korean War, held on Tuesday at the Monument of the Fallen in Papagos district, in Athens.  read more Dora Giannakarios Preston, They Call Me Mama Cosmos Philly (June 30) To be one of the first Greek-American female firefighters and EMT trained is an accomplishment in itself, but this self-described "bad-ass" has one more surprise.  read more

ΠΑΝΕΛΛΗΝΙΑ ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΩΝ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ:ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΜΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΚΩΝ ΕΝΩΣΕΩΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΣΚΟΠΙΩΝ

ΠΑΝΕΛΛΗΝΙΑ  ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ    ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΩΝ  ΣΥΛΛΟΓΩΝ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ

July 6, 2019 Capt. E.N.Rigos

Δημάρχου Κ. Στάμκου 1, 58200 Γιαννιτσά, Δ.Πέλλας, Π.Κ.Μακεδονίας, Ελλάδα

www.popsm.gr popsm2014@gmail.com τηλ. 23810-20189 κιν. 6977254045

ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΜΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΚΩΝ ΕΝΩΣΕΩΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΣΚΟΠΙΩΝ

         Την Πέμπτη 4 Ιουλίου 2019, πάνω από έναν χρόνο μετά την υπογραφή της «Συμφωνίας των Πρεσπών», αντιπροσωπία  των «Παμμακεδονικών Ενώσεων Υφηλίου»και της «Πανελλήνιας Ομοσπονδίας Πολιτιστικών Συλλόγων Μακεδόνων»  επισκέφτηκαν την πόλη των Σκοπίων για να δουν επιτόπου εάν άλλαξε κάτι.

        Στην αποστολή συμμετείχαν, εκ μέρους των ομογενών Μακεδόνων, η συντονίστρια των Παμμακεδονικών Ενώσεων Υφηλίου  κ. Νίνα Γκατζούλη, ο κ. Βασίλειος Γκατζούλης, και ο εκπρόσωπος της Παμμακεδονικής Ένωσης Καναδά κ. Μιχάλης Κοντογεωργίου, και εκ μέρους της Πανελλήνιας  Ομοσπονδίας Πολιτιστικών Συλλόγων Μακεδόνων ο πρόεδρος κ. Δημήτριος Γιουματζίδης, ο Αντιπρόεδρος Κ.Μ. κ.Γεώργιος Δόντσιος και ο Ταμίας κ. Ιωάννης Σιβένας.

        Διαπιστώθηκε ότι δεν έχει μετακινηθεί κανένα άγαλμα της εποχής Γκρούεφσκι, δεν έχει τοποθετηθεί καμία διευκρινιστική επιγραφή σε αυτά, έχουν ολοκληρωθεί τα αρχαιοελληνικού στυλ δημόσια κτήρια που είχε ξεκινήσει ο Γκρούεφσκι, συνεχίζονται οι εργασίες σε άλλα κτήρια και έχουν γίνει ελάχιστες αλλαγές ονομασίας.  

         Με λίγα λόγια ο «Αλυτρωτικός Μακεδονισμός» του Γκρούεφσκι παραμένει ολοζώντανος και επί εποχής Ζάεφ, ενισχυμένος μάλιστα με την υπογραφή της κυβέρνησης Τσίπρα. Η κυβέρνηση Τσίπρα, όχι μόνον υπέγραψε μία προδοτική συμφωνία, αλλά κόμμα  και φερέφωνα δημοσιογράφοι του εξαπατούν τον Ελληνικό λαό λέγοντας ότι δήθεν η συμφωνία εφαρμόζεται από τους Σκοπιανούς.

        Ενδεικτικά μόνον αναφέρουμε μερικές περιπτώσεις.

         Άλλαξαν την πινακίδα εισόδου στην χώρα τους σε «North Macedonia» για να μας κλείσουν τα μάτια, αλλά όλοι οι τελωνιακοί και οι αστυνομικοί έχουν το εθνόσημο να γράφει  ευκρινέστατα «Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας» (Το 1991, μετά το δημοψήφισμά τους, είχαν αλλάξει άμεσα τα Γιουγκοσλαβικά σύμβολα από τις στολές τους).      

         Συνέχισαν και ολοκλήρωσαν τα σχέδια αρχαιοποίησης του κυβερνητικού κτηρίου και μόνον στην βάση μίας απομίμησης τεράστιου αρχαιοελληνικού κίονα έγραψαν με μεγάλα γράμματα GOVERMENT και με μικρά NORTH MACEDONIA.  

         Αφαίρεσαν από την είσοδο του ιδίου κτηρίου μαρμάρινη πλάκα που έγραφε στα Ελληνικά «ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙ ΑΡΧΩΝ» αλλά την τοποθέτησαν στο κεντρικότερο σημείο του αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου τους. (Στο ίδιο μουσείο υπάρχει αναφορά και σε 

αρχαιολογικά ευρήματα εντός Ελλάδος, από την Σίνδο και το Αρχοντικό Γιαννιτσών,όπου μάλιστα αναφέρεται και το όνομα του αρχαιολόγου κ. Χρυσοστόμου που διενήργησε τις ανασκαφές στο αρχοντικό, σε μία εμφανή προσπάθεια να στηρίξουν τον επεκτατικό αρχαιομακεδονισμό τους)

         Ψηλά στην αρχαιοελληνικού στυλ πρόσοψη του αρχαιολογικού μουσείου τους εξακολουθεί να υπάρχει, με τεράστια χρυσά γράμματα, η επιγραφή «Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μακεδονίας» και μόνον στην βάση μίας απομίμησης αρχαίοελληνικού κίονα υπάρχει η επιγραφή «Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Βόρειας Μακεδονίας»

         Στα βιβλιοπωλεία τους συνεχίζουν να πουλάν όλα τα βιβλία και τους χάρτες αλυτρωτικού χαρακτήρα χωρίς να υπάρχει καμία δέσμευση ή διάθεση αλλαγής, όπως λένε οι ίδιοι οι βιβλιοπώλες.

         Εξακολουθούν να υπάρχουν και να δεσπόζουν εντυπωσιακά απέναντι από το κοινοβούλιό τους τα τεράστια μνημεία ίδρυσης του ΒΜΡΟ και της συνέλευσης του ΑΣΝΟΜ η διακήρυξη της οποίας αφαιρέθηκε από το προοίμιο του συντάγματος τους ως το κατ’εξοχήν αλυτρωτικό κείμενο αλλά το μνημείο τον συντηρεί στις νέες γενιές.

         Περιεργαζόμενοι το «Μνημείο του παιδομαζώματος», που έγινε στην Ελλάδα από τον λεγόμενο  «Δημοκρατικό στρατό» κατά το τέλος του Ελληνικού εμφύλιου πολέμου,είδαμε καθισμένο στο παγκάκι απέναντι, ακριβώς από το μνημείο, έναν ασπρομάληηλικιωμένο να μας  παρατηρεί σιωπηλά. ‘Όταν ο κ.  Κοντογεωργίου κουρασμένος κάθισε δίπλα του τον άκουσε, έκπληκτος, να του λέει με σπασμένα Ελληνικά: «Και εγώ είμαι ένας από αυτούς. Είμαι Έλληνας από την Φλώρινα που εγκλωβίστηκα εδώ» και μετά από μία σύντομη συζήτηση να αποχωρεί αγκαλιάζοντάς τον. Συγκινημένος ο κ. Κοντογεωργίου μας διηγήθηκε την συζήτηση που είχε μαζί του και αναλογιστήκαμεόλους τους άλλους που νιώθουν σαν τον συνομιλητή του, αλλά και τους γηγενείς Ελληνικής καταγωγής που υπήρχαν ανέκαθεν και εξακολουθούν να υπάρχουν εντός των γεωγραφικών ορίων της γείτονος χώρας, και δεν μπορούν να εκφραστούν, και τους οποίους δυστυχώς έχουν «ξεχάσει» οι πολιτικοί μας και το επίσημο Ελληνικό κράτος.

          Δυστυχώς ο  περιορισμένος χώρος ενός δελτίου τύπου δεν μας επιτρέπει να αναφέρουμε το σύνολο όσων είδαμε και βιώσαμε κατά την παραμονή μας στην πόλη των Σκοπίων. 

                                                                       Γιαννιτσά  5 Ιουλίου 2019

                                                                     Για το Διοικητικό συμβούλιο

                                                                                 Ο Πρόεδρος

                                                                         Δημήτριος Γιουματζίδης



Πηγή international Hellenic Association

--

Capt. E.N.Rigos HEC Director www.greece.org

CANADA latest news

Prime Minister welcomes appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms

July 4, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the appointment of Patrick McDonell as the new Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons. This appointment is effective July 1, 2019.

Mr. McDonell was first appointed as Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms and Director General of the House of Commons Protective Service in 2014, and has served as Acting Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security Officer of the House of Commons since 2015. Prior to this, he served as Director of the Senate Protective Service, following a distinguished career of 31 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Sergeant-at-Arms is appointed by the Governor in Council. As a senior official of the House of Commons, the Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Under the direction of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Sergeant-at-Arms performs a number of ceremonial functions and works together closely with the Director of the Parliamentary Protective Service to ensure security both inside and outside the Chamber.

Mr. McDonell was chosen as the nominee for the position of the Sergeant-at-Arms through the Government’s open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process.

Biographical Notes

• Patrick McDonell

New investments to extend the Montréal Metro’s Blue line

July 4, 2019
Montréal, Quebec

Canadians rely on public transit – whether it’s getting to work, picking the kids up from daycare, or taking advantage of everything our cities have to offer. Investing in public transit means growing the economy, fighting climate change, and making our communities stronger.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a federal investment of more than $1.3 billion to extend the Montréal Metro’s Blue line. This project will lower daily commute times, reduce the number of cars on the road, and make Montréal greener.

Once completed, the metro will have five new stations and cover nearly 6 additional kilometres, connecting the current Saint-Michel station to Anjou. This funding will also support the construction of two bus terminals and a new park-and-ride.

With the Blue line extension, more than 17,000 new people will have access to the metro and benefit from more reliable, effective, and accessible service. This investment will help make sure Montrealers have the public transit they need – today and tomorrow.

Quotes

“It’s a big day for Montréal and for Montrealers. By investing in the Blue line extension, we’re making a real difference in the lives of families, while creating good jobs and building a greener Montréal. Our government is working hard to support projects like this – projects that make our communities better – right across the country.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“I am proud to announce our major contribution to the extension of the Montréal Metro’s Blue line. The five new stations will simplify travel for the city’s east end residents and the people who work there, so they spend less time in traffic and more time with their loved ones. Through projects like this, we are building a greener future for all, while encouraging the use of sustainable transportation and reducing the number of vehicles on the streets of Montréal.”
—The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The Government of Quebec is committed to accelerating the project to extend the Blue line to Anjou and is making the necessary efforts to make it happen. This project is key to improving mobility in the metropolitan area and stimulating development in Montréal’s east end. After a 30-year wait, the development of the Montréal Metro is getting a reboot, and this is just the start.”
—Chantal Rouleau, Quebec Minister for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada will invest more than $1.3 billion through the public transit component of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan.
• The Government of Quebec’s Minister for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region, Chantal Rouleau, also attended the event.
• To date, through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada has invested more than $737 million for more than 313 public transit projects in Quebec.
• Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green and social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Of this amount, $28.7 billion is for public transit projects, which includes $5 billion available for investments through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The transportation sector accounts for 25 percent of Canada’s emissions. Investments in public transit help improve commuting, reduce air pollution, strengthen communities, and grow the Canadian economy.

Associated Links

• Investing in Canada Plan
• Infrastructure Canada Projects and Programs (since 2002) - Quebec
• Blue line extension

Statement by the Prime Minister on the Sixth Anniversary of the Lac-Mégantic Tragedy

July 6, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the sixth anniversary of the Lac-Mégantic tragedy:

“Today, I join the people of Lac-Mégantic and all Canadians to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the train disaster six years ago.

“On July 6, 2013, a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in the heart of the community. The accident took the lives of 47 people, forced thousands more from their homes, and destroyed nearly half of the downtown, in the deadliest train disaster in our country’s modern history.

“On this solemn anniversary, our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, and all those whose lives were forever changed. The tragedy left scars that cannot be erased – but in the aftermath, the people of Lac-Mégantic showed profound resilience, solidarity, and determination. Over the last six years, they have worked hard to heal, rebuild, and create a better future for their community.

“No community should have to go through what Lac-Mégantic experienced. Rail safety and the safe transportation of dangerous goods in Canada remain major priorities for the Government of Canada. We are continuing to work with provincial, municipal, and industry stakeholders to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.

“Last year, we took an important step to support the community’s rebuilding efforts. Answering the call from Lac-Mégantic and the neighbouring municipalities of Nantes and Frontenac, we announced key investments in the rail bypass project. Once completed, the rail line will be permanently removed from Lac-Mégantic’s downtown. We hope that the project will help mark a new beginning for this brave, resilient community.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to honour those who lost their lives and stand with all those affected by this tragedy. To the people of Lac-Mégantic: know that you are in our thoughts and that you have our unwavering support.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium

July 6, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium.

Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Michel on his confirmation as the next President of the European Council, in succession to President Donald Tusk on December 1, 2019.

The two leaders discussed the profound relationship between Canada and the European Union, including through increased trade thanks to the new Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which creates good jobs for the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic. They also discussed the importance of Canada and the European Union working together in buttressing the rules-based international order and confronting insecurity, by supporting and reforming multilateral architecture and institutions, including the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Prime Minister Trudeau praised the close collaboration he has enjoyed with current European Council President Donald Tusk, including through the G7 and G20, and expressed his confidence that the partnership between Canada and the European Union will continue to grow.