The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General appointed Julie Miville-Dechêne as an independent Senator to fill a vacancy in Quebec.
Ms. Miville-Dechêne was a journalist, a senior public servant, and is a strong voice for gender equality and women’s rights. She was also the first woman appointed as the ombudsman for Radio-Canada.
Ms. Miville-Dechêne was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using the merit-based process open to all Canadians. This process ensures Senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
Statement by the Prime Minister on World Refugee Day
June 20, 2018Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Refugee Day:
“On
World Refugee Day, we join the global community to recognize people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes. We honour the resilience and strength of refugees and displaced people, acknowledge the profound hardships they face, and stand with them.
“Each year, thousands are forced to flee conflict, insecurity, and persecution – and today, over 68 million people around the world are forcibly displaced. But these statistics do not capture the faces and stories behind the numbers.
“People who have been driven from their homes face immense loss, barriers, and trauma – both old and new. They carry with them memories, dreams, and hope for a better future. We share a moral responsibility to help them find shelter and start their lives anew – and as Canadians, we know first-hand the contributions they make. Over the generations, refugees have helped build the strong, open, and prosperous Canada we know today.
“Canada will not stand idle while hundreds of thousands of people – including Rohingya refugees – suffer forced displacement and human rights violations. In response to the work of the Honourable Bob Rae, Special Envoy to Myanmar, we will lead on initiatives to promote human rights and improve living conditions of Rohingya refugees and those displaced by the conflict in Myanmar. We will also support efforts to bring perpetrators of gross human rights violations to account. Guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada has dedicated $300 million over the next three years to step up its response to this ongoing humanitarian crisis, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that the needs of women and girls are met.
“Women, girls, and other marginalized groups suffer different and disproportionate effects of conflict and displacement – and their empowerment is key to building lasting peace and prosperity. That is why, at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix earlier this month, Canada and partners announced a
historic investment of nearly $3.8 billion in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations – the largest of its kind ever made. This is about making a real difference in the lives of millions of women and girls, including those growing up in refugee camps. They deserve the chance to learn and get the education they need to reclaim their future and their dreams.
“Today, I ask Canadians and people around the world to stand with refugees, displaced people, and all those who are forced to leave home behind. How we treat the most vulnerable among us defines who we are – as individuals, as countries, and as a global community. Let’s choose justice over fear and compassion over division – because to see ourselves in each other, all we have to do is look.”
Prime Minister and Pacific North and Central Coast First Nations welcome agreement for ocean protection
June 21, 2018
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Canada has some of the most spectacular oceans and coastlines in the world, and is home to rich biodiversity and ecosystems. Indigenous coastal communities have stewarded the Pacific North and Central Coast waters for generations. They bring valuable experience and expertise to protect and manage this unique ocean region.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, with First Nations leaders, welcomed today a new agreement between the Government of Canada and 14 Central and North Coast First Nations to work together to protect the Pacific North Coast.
The Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection represents an important commitment by the Government of Canada and First Nations to collaborate and partner on marine initiatives that will help advance reconciliation and protect a large geographic area spanning about two-thirds of British Columbia’s coast.
The Government of Canada and First Nations have agreed to coordinate ongoing efforts in the management and conservation of oceans, including marine spatial planning and developing a network of marine protected areas. They have also reiterated their commitment to work together to improve waterway management, increase emergency preparedness, and boost the response capacity of local First Nations. Many of these initiatives are already underway as part of Canada’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways.
Quotes
“The First Nations of the Pacific North and Central Coast have been protecting Canada’s waters for millennia. The Reconciliation Framework Agreement will help us deliver on the promise of ocean collaborative management. Working together, we will protect and preserve the Pacific North Coast, and we will advance reconciliation along the way.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“This agreement is an encouraging and positive step forward in our journey toward nation-to-nation collaboration and reconciliation. Now we have the opportunity to work with Canada to ensure efficient and sustainable marine management and protection initiatives, which promise to preserve healthy and resilient marine ecosystems for all future generations, while supporting coastal communities and economic opportunities today.”
—Chief Marilyn Slett, Heiltsuk First Nation and President of the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative
“The Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection represents a transformative new relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. We are thrilled to have achieved consensus on a new governance model for managing and protecting our oceans. This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the innovative work being done in partnership with Indigenous peoples to protect Canada’s coasts.”
—The Hon. Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
“Keeping our oceans safe and clean, and healthy for future generations is a commitment shared by the Government of Canada and First Nations partners. The governance model established to improve the collaborative management of our oceans is an important step toward delivering on the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area Plan. Working together, we will continue to build on our successes in the areas of marine spatial planning, conservation, and marine safety.”
—The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“We are working to fundamentally transform our relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition, respect, cooperation, and partnership. Indigenous voices must be included in the conversations on what Canada’s future will look like, including the management and protection of our oceans. This agreement demonstrates a strong example of working together to advance reconciliation. Making this shift is fundamental to the growth and prosperity of Canada.”
—The Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
“Indigenous traditional knowledge plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term protection and preservation of healthy oceans and our environment as a whole. This agreement represents an important step as we work towards a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples and a new model for effective collaboration based on the recognition of rights, respect and cooperation.”
—The Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
Quick Facts
- The Agreement will help protect Canada’s Northern Shelf bioregion, which includes four sub regions: Haida Gwaii, the North Coast, the Central Coast, and North Vancouver Island.
- Marine Spatial Planning is an internationally recognized approach to ocean planning and management that brings together partners from federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments and organizations to make informed decisions and manage oceans in a more open and practical way.
- A marine protected area network plan for the Northern Shelf bioregion is being developed, jointly with partners, to help protect the marine biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.
- This Agreement builds on the partnerships already established through the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area Plan endorsed by Canada, First Nations and the Province of British Columbia in February 2017.
- Work under the Agreement has already begun on the Proactive Vessel Management initiative with a pilot project to address issues related to vessel traffic in local waterways. This national initiative will help identify measures, such as speed and routing controls, to improve safety and reduce environmental impacts.
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