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PT partners

In this section

Calls with partners – Provinces, territories, and municipalities (Overview)

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Doug Ford, Chair of the Council of the Federation (Ontario)

Biography

Headshot of Doug Ford

Doug Ford is the Premier of Ontario. He was also elected as the MPP for Etobicoke-North in 2018.

Previously, Doug Ford served as Toronto city councillor from 2010-2014, and was vice-chair of the Budget Committee, where he delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. While on city council, Ford served on the board of Build Toronto, and was a director of the Canadian National Exhibition. He also served on the Civic Appointments Committee and the Government Management Committee at Council.

A dedicated community leader, successful businessman with Deco Labels and passionate advocate for the people, Doug’s commitment to public service runs in the family. Three generations of Fords have served the people of Ontario in elected office. Doug is a life-long resident of the community of Etobicoke, and lives there with his wife Karla and four daughters. His commitment to public service includes over 20 years of dedicated work with the Toronto West Rotary Club and serving as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

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Premier David Eby, British Columbia

Biography

Headshot of David Eby

Premier David Eby took office as B.C.’s 37th Premier on November 18, 2022, following the resignation of former Premier John Horgan. Premier Eby formed a majority government when the B.C. NDP was re-elected on October 19, 2024, for his second mandate.

He was first elected as MLA for Vancouver – Point Grey in 2013. David was re-elected in 2020 to serve a third term in the B.C. Legislature and in November 2020 was appointed to the role of Attorney General and Minister of Housing by Premier John Horgan.

Before being elected to the provincial legislature, Premier Eby was an award-winning lawyer and legal scholar. He started his career on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, defending the homes of low-income people. His work on human rights and democratic freedoms has been recognized by the United Nations Association in Canada and the B.C. Human Rights Coalition.

Premier Eby was an adjunct professor of law at the University of British Columbia, president of the HIV-AIDS Legal Network, and served on the Vancouver Foundation’s Health and Social Development Committee. From 2009 to 2013, David ran the B.C. Civil Liberties Association as executive director. He is the author of several books and articles on legal rights.

Premier Eby was raised in a suburban middle-class home. The son of a schoolteacher and a lawyer, he remains grounded in the values he grew up with – commitment to family, community, and helping the less fortunate. He is now a proud husband and father with three children of his own, Ezra, Iva, and baby Gwen. He loves playing with his kids, practicing yoga and hanging out with his wife Cailey, a family doctor in Vancouver.

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Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta

Biography

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As Leader of the governing United Conservative Party, Danielle Smith was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta on October 11, 2022. She was re-elected on May 29, 2023. She represents the riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat.

Premier Smith’s public policy experience began with an internship at the Fraser Institute. She was also elected as a trustee for the Calgary board of education and served as the director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute. She was also the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. She was a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood, leader of the Official Opposition, and leader of the Wildrose Party.

Before entering politics, Premier Smith had extensive experience in the media. Most recently, she has been a radio host with Corus Entertainment. She was also an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald, she served as host of Global Sunday, a national current affairs television talk show, and was the host of two programs on CKMX 1060 AM radio in Calgary, Health Frontiers and Standing Ground. She has made frequent guest appearances as a commentator on TV and radio. During her tenure as Premier, she has maintained a province-wide Saturday morning radio call-in show.

Premier Smith holds degrees in Economics and English from the University of Calgary.

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Premier Scott Moe, Saskatchewan

Biography

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Premier Scott Moe was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the 2011 provincial election. He was re-elected in 2016 and became leader of the Saskatchewan Party on January 27, 2018. He was sworn-in as Saskatchewan’s 15th Premier on February 2, 2018. Premier Moe won his first majority mandate as leader of the Saskatchewan Party in the October 26, 2020, provincial election.

Born and raised on a grain farm in his home constituency between Shellbrook and Parkside, Premier Moe was educated at the University of Saskatchewan where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He and his wife Krista currently reside nearby in Shellbrook. Premier Moe has served Saskatchewan as Minister of Environment, Minister of Advanced Education, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.

Premier Moe is committed to advancing the economic interests of Saskatchewan through our many producers of high-quality agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and energy exports that a growing world needs; and that our province supplies with world-leading efficiency and sustainability.

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Premier Wab Kinew, Manitoba

Biography

Headshot of Wab Kinew

Wab Kinew was elected the 25th premier of Manitoba on October 18, 2023. Premier Kinew was first elected as the MLA for Fort Rouge in 2016 and was elected party leader and leader of the official opposition in 2017.

He is the son of Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew and Dr. Kathi Kinew and is from the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario. Before becoming an MLA, Premier Kinew worked as a broadcaster and as an administrator at the University of Winnipeg.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in Indigenous governance. Premier Kinew is an honorary witness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a bestselling author.

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Premier Doug Ford, Ontario

Biography

Headshot of Doug Ford

Doug Ford is the Premier of Ontario. He was sworn in as Premier on June 29, 2018 and was subsequently re-elected on June 24, 2022 and February 27, 2025. He is the MPP for Etobicoke-North.

Previously, Premier Ford served as Toronto city councilor from 2010-2014, and was vice-chair of the Budget Committee, where he delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. While on city council, Premier Ford served on the board of Build Toronto, and was a director of the Canadian National Exhibition. He also served on the Civic Appointments Committee and the Government Management Committee at Council. 

A dedicated community leader, successful businessman with Deco Labels and passionate advocate for the people, Premier Ford’s commitment to public service runs in the family. Three generations of Fords have served the people of Ontario in elected office. 

Premier Ford is a life-long resident of the community of Etobicoke, and lives there with his wife Karla and four daughters. His commitment to public service includes over 20 years of dedicated work with the Toronto West Rotary Club and serving as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion. 

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Premier Francois Legault, Québec

Biography

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François Legault became Premier of Quebec following the general election of October 1, 2018.

He began his career as an auditor and team leader at Ernst & Young from 1978 to 1984. In 1984, he was appointed director of finance and administration at Nationair Canada.

In 1985, Mr. Legault became marketing director of Québécair. He then co‑founded Air Transat in 1986 and was its CEO until 1997. During his years in the business world, he served on the board of directors of various companies, including Provigo, Culinar, Sico, Technolab and Bestar. He is a Fellow of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec [Quebec order of chartered professional accountants].

Before he was elected, he was appointed Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology by Premier Lucien Bouchard. On November 30 of that same year, in a general election, he was elected MP for the Parti québécois (PQ) in the riding of Rousseau. He has held various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Education and Youth, Vice President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Health and Social Services. He founded the Coalition Avenir Québec party in 2011.

François Legault was born in Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Bellevue on May 26, 1957. He is married with two children. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Public Accounting) and a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from École des Hautes Études commerciales (HEC) business school in Montreal.

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Premier Andrew Furey, Newfoundland and Labrador

Biography

Headshot of Andrew Furey

Dr. Andrew Furey became the 14th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on August 19, 2020, and was elected as Member of the House of Assembly for Humber – Gros Morne in on October 6, 2020.

Born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Premier Furey is a passionate orthopedic trauma surgeon and educator with Memorial University’s School of Medicine. Premier Furey has a diverse education, which includes a Diploma in Organizational Leadership from Oxford University and a Master’s in clinical Epidemiology from Memorial University. He was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Canadian Red Cross and earned the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross.

In 2010, he helped create Team Broken Earth to provide medical relief after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. This Newfoundland and Labrador-born charity has since expanded in size and scope. Today, over 1,500 volunteers from across Canada, the U.S., and the United Kingdom have participated in medical missions to Haiti as well as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. On top of that, Premier Furey helped found A Dollar A Day Foundation to support mental health initiatives across Canada.

Premier Furey enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, and their children Maggie, Rachael, and Mark. He credits his family for helping him stay grounded and maintain his perspective on what matters most – love, empathy, and making a difference.

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Premier Susan Holt, New Brunswick

Biography

Headshot of Susan Holt

Premier Susan Holt was elected on November 2, 2024. She has both local and global business experience having worked in sales, human resources, and global management roles with large information technology firms. She also has experience in community leadership, provincial and national advocacy, and social enterprise leadership, as well as experience within government working on social and economic policy. The insight she has gained throughout her career and through connection to community has provided her with a deep appreciation for the challenges New Brunswickers are facing.

Premier Holt is passionate about people-focused policy that makes New Brunswickers lives better. She believes in empowered communities that are environmentally and age friendly, inclusive, and vibrant. This includes pride in New Brunswick’s bilingualism and a deep commitment to true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Premier Holt is the MLA for Fredericton South-Silverwood. She previously served as the MLA for Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore.

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Premier Tim Houston, Nova Scotia

Biography

Headshot of Tim Houston

Premier Tim Houston is Nova Scotia’s 30th Premier. He was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia on August 31, 2021, and started his second term in office in December 2024. In 2018, Premier Houston was elected Leader of the PC Party of Nova Scotia. Premier Houston also serves as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Premier Houston was raised in a military family and grew up on military bases in Summerside, PEI, Trenton, Ontario and Comox, British Columbia before the family ultimately returned to Nova Scotia for his father’s retirement posting to Shearwater.

First and foremost, Premier Houston is a dad. He and his wife, Carol, have been married since 1995 and have two children, Paget and Zachary.

Premier Houston attended Saint Mary’s University where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce. He then earned his Chartered Accountant designation in Halifax. After graduation, he and Carol moved to Bermuda where he worked with both Deloitte and in the reinsurance industry. In 2007, knowing that they wanted to raise their children closer to their extended family, they returned to Nova Scotia and have lived in Pictou County ever since. On November 2, 2020, Premier Houston was awarded his profession’s highest mark of distinction, the Fellow (FCPA) designation, by Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia.

Premier Houston’s love for this province and its people — and discussions in hockey rinks — sparked his interest in politics. He successfully sought the Pictou East PC nomination in 2012 and was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election.

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Premier Rob Lantz, Prince Edward Island

Biography

Headshot of Rob Lantz

Premier Rob Lantz was sworn in as the 34th Premier of Prince Edward Island on February 21, 2025. Premier Lantz is a lifelong resident of District 13, Charlottetown-Brighton. He grew up and attended local schools there, graduating from UPEI and Holland College. He and wife Kelly raised their sons, Brodie and Ronan, in Charlottetown-Brighton; it’s where he represented residents for two terms on Charlottetown City Council, and where he has volunteered with community groups like the United Way and the Colonel Gray Education Foundation.

Premier Lantz is an advisor, partner and investor in new business startups in the bioscience, sports technology and renewable energy sectors, and he worked as a consultant in the IT sector.

He was elected as the MLA for District 13, Charlottetown-Brighton, on April 3, 2023. Premier Lantz previously served as the Minister of Housing, Land and Communities and in October of 2024, he was appointed Minister of Education and Early Years.

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Premier Ranj Pillai, Yukon

Biography

Headshot of Ranj Pillai

Ranj Pillai was sworn in as Yukon’s 10th Premier on January 14th, 2023. In addition to his duties as Premier, he currently serves as Minister of the Executive Council Office; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation.

Premier Pillai was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2016 and was appointed as Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Minister of Economic Development; and Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation. He was elected for a second term in April 2021 and served as the Minister of Economic Development; Minister of Tourism and Culture; and the Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, Yukon Liquor Corporation and Yukon Lottery Commission.

During his time in office, Premier Pillai has worked hard to advance a strong and diverse Yukon economy. He has focused on building an ecosystem to support entrepreneurs across all sectors while supporting the Yukon’s vibrant resource sector which includes three operating mines. Premier Pillai was recognized for this work as the recipient of the North Startup Canada 2019 Regional Award for Entrepreneur Promotion. Since 2016, the Yukon has been leading the country with the lowest unemployment rate, strong GDP growth and impressive investments in building construction.

Premier Pillai is a trusted decision maker and tireless community advocate who has contributed to numerous Yukon businesses, governments, schools. and not-for-profits.

Prior to joining the Territorial government, Premier Pillai sat as a Whitehorse City Councillor from 2009 to 2012. During his tenure, he spearheaded the first anti-racism and discrimination bylaw North of 60. He served previously the Executive Director of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Government, has held senior roles with private sector businesses and Yukon University and is a former member of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference and Banff Forum. He has also held previous roles with numerous First Nations development corporations and junior mining companies, as well as a number of NGOs focused on helping youth and vulnerable citizens.

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Premier R.J. Simpson, Northwest Territories

Biography

Headshot of R.J. Simpson

Premier Simpson's political career began with his election to the 18th Legislative Assembly in 2015, representing Hay River North. During his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) he held key positions such as Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, Chair of the Special Committee on Transition Matters, and membership in several other committees.

In 2019, he was acclaimed for a second term as the MLA for Hay River North and was chosen by his colleagues in the Assembly to serve on Cabinet. During the 19th Legislative Assembly, Premier Simpson served as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Minister of Justice, and the Government House Leader. On December 8, 2023, he was chosen by fellow MLAs to serve as Premier in the Northwest Territories consensus-style government.

Born and raised in Hay River, Premier Simpson graduated from Diamond Jenness Secondary School. Following graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from MacEwan University and a law degree from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law. His legal education is complemented by his involvement as the Aboriginal Law Students’ Association President and his volunteer work with the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre and the Canada-Ghana Education Project. His professional journey includes roles in the public and private sectors.

His vision for the Northwest Territories is ambitious and inclusive, focusing on thriving ecosystems, cultures, languages, economies, and self-governments. He emphasizes the importance of cooperative governance and the potential strength of the region's diversity. His approach includes continuing the work of the NWT Council of Leaders, advancing land claim and self-government negotiations, and addressing immediate challenges like housing, healthcare, and economic development. He advocates for a focused and efficient government, prioritizing the needs of the people and communities of the Northwest Territories.

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Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Nunavut

Biography

Headshot of P.J. Akeeagok

P.J. Akeeagok was elected as Premier of Nunavut by the sixth assembly in November 2021. He is a first time MLA, elected to represent the constituency of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu. Previously, Premier Akeeagok served for seven years as the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), elected first in December 2014 and re-elected in December 2018.

As QIA President, Premier Akeeagok initiated numerous new projects and programs in Qikiqtani. He negotiated a successful Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement for Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, and other companion agreements for interim protection of Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area, these areas encompass Canada's largest bodies of protected waters. Premier Akeeagok also secured an acknowledgement and apology from the Government of Canada for the colonial policies and practices imposed on Qikiqtani Inuit from 1950 to 1975. The apology was accompanied with an initial investment and a Memorandum of Understanding for additional funds in the future to address healing, cultural awareness, and preservation initiatives.

Originally from Canada's most northern community, Grise Fiord, Premier Akeeagok has devoted his career to representing Nunavummiut. Prior to becoming QIA's president, Premier Akeeagok served in numerous roles with Inuit organizations, including as assistant executive director at QIA, assistant director of communications for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and project coordinator at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

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International partners

Within first week

In this section

Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America

Biography
Headshot of Donald J. Trump

Donald Trump was elected 47th President of the United States on November 6, 2024, for his second, non-consecutive, and final term in office. He also served as 45th President from 2017-2021.

Before entering politics, he was a real estate businessman and a television personality.

B.S. (Economics, 1968), University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance.

Married to Melania, and has five children (Donald Jr, Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Baron).

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With the new administration, the important bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States has become more complex and uncertain. [ * ] For Canada, the issues he has identified specifically include: border security (including illegal migration and illicit drug flows), trade balance, and defence spending.

President Trump last visited Canada during the June 2018 Charlevoix G7 Summit. Since the election in November 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau met with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago on November 29, 2024. Prime Minister Trudeau also spoke with President Trump several times over the phone, most recently on February 3, 2025, after the announcement of 25% tariffs on Canada.

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Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico

Biography
Headshot of Claudia Sheinbaum

President Sheinbaum was elected on June 2, 2024, and is the first woman President of Mexico.

She is likely to follow the evolution of President López Obrador’s agenda: legislative reforms, austerity measures, direct subsidies to low-income citizens, and continuation of AMLO’s flagship infrastructure projects.  

Sheinbaum is a strong advocate for the environment. She served as Secretary to the Environment for Mexico City from 2000 to 2006. She then returned to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City as faculty, before becoming Mayor of Tlalpan, a borough of Mexico City, in 2015. She served as Mayor of Tlalpan until 2018 when she was elected Mayor of Mexico City on July 1, 2018, for a six-year term. She was the first female and first Jewish Mayor of Mexico City.

Sheinbaum holds a Ph.D. in energy engineering. She is 61 years old, previously married to Carlos Imaz Gispert (1987 - 2016), her current husband is Jesus Maria Tarriba. She has one daughter and one stepson.

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Canada established diplomatic relations with Mexico in 1944. It is a bilateral ally, a key trilateral partner in the North American context, and an influential hemispheric player. Bilateral collaboration mechanisms include the Canada-Mexico Action Plan, the Canada-Mexico Partnership (CMP), high-level dialogues on economy and on mobility, and a Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs.

Mexico is Canada’s third-largest merchandise bilateral trading partner after the U.S. and China, amounting to $54.8 billion in 2023. Canada’s top exports to Mexico are auto parts, food products, and consumer goods. In terms of investment, in 2022 Canada was Mexico’s second largest investor, after the U.S., with Canadian direct investment stock in Mexico valued at $33 billion. Most of these investments (approx. 76%) are in the mining and energy sectors, finance and insurance, and utilities. Despite positive trends, trade irritants exist, particularly in energy, mining, and biotechnology.

The Sheinbaum administration took office on October 1, 2024. In her inauguration address, President Sheinbaum stated that her administration will take advantage of CUSMA to encourage reshoring efforts and regional development. President Sheinbaum has characterized her administration as a continuation of López Obrador’s government (2018-2024), with poverty reduction at the centre of policy, together with women’s and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, education, the environment, energy, infrastructure, and science and technology as top priorities. On security, the Sheinbaum administration reported that since she took office, there have been reductions in high-impact crime rates such as homicide, femicide, and extortion, as well as significant seizures of drugs including fentanyl, together with several arrests.

Previously, Canada deepened North American relations with the U.S. and Mexico through the implementation of a 27-deliverable Action Plan that was launched by Leaders at the tenth North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS X) held in Mexico City in January 2023, which included initiatives across six pillars: Competitiveness; Climate Change and Environment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Migration and Development; Health; and Regional Security.

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Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with then President-elect Sheinbaum to congratulate her on her election victory on June 3, 2024. He met her on November 18, 2024, on the margins of the G20, where they discussed the importance of economic security and the beneficial effects of CUSMA. They also had a call with the President on February 1, 2025, to discuss the threat of tariffs from the U.S.

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Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Biography
Headshot of Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 5, 2024. First elected to UK Parliament in 2010, Starmer became Leader of the Labour Party and in turn Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition in the UK House of Commons on April 4, 2020.

Prior to serving as Labour leader, Starmer held two shadow cabinet positions, Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (2016-2020), and Shadow Minister for the Home Office (2015-2016).  

A lawyer by trade, Starmer served as Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (2008-2013). He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for his service to law and criminal justice in 2014, but rarely uses the prefix “Sir.” He holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Leeds and a postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University.  

He is married with two children. Starmer has a lifelong passion for football (soccer) and regularly plays five-a-side. He supports Arsenal Football Club.

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Canada and the UK have a profound, wide-ranging relationship built on strong historic ties and shared values. In recent years, Canada and the UK have placed a high priority on the security relationship, which includes military, law enforcement, and intelligence cooperation. Canada and the UK also collaborate to advance priorities such as gender equality, health, and education, address global threats, such as climate change, and respond to international security challenges, such as foreign information manipulation.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer engaged regularly. They most recently spoke via phone call on February 5, 2025, and met in-person on the margins of the G20 Summit in Brazil on November 19, 2024. Both leaders also participated in the G7 VTC on February 24, 2025, to mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

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Discussions are ongoing between Canada and the UK on trade agreements. The Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) entered into force on April 1, 2021. Canada and the UK launched negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in March 2022; [ * ] ongoing discussions between senior officials and at ministerial-level led to a commitment to hold in-person negotiations in the second half of February 2025.

The UK CPTPP Accession Protocol entered into force for the UK on December 15, 2024. Canada signed the UK Accession Protocol on July 16, 2023, but the CPTPP will not be in force between Canada and the UK until 60 days after Canada ratifies the UK Accession Protocol, the process of which remains to be completed in Canada, including the tabling of the protocol in Parliament.

Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

Biography
Headshot of Emmanuel Macron

Born on December 21, 1977, in Amiens (Somme), Emmanuel Macron won a second presidential term on April 24, 2022, with a clear victory over his far-right opponent, Marine Le Pen (58.5% vs. 41.5%). In 2017, he became the youngest president of the Fifth Republic and the first candidate who was not from one of the usual political families to successfully secure the country’s highest position.

The President is more liberally inclined, pro-business and centre-right. He has gradually adopted a more social and protective approach, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and the so-called Yellow Vests movement that shook his first term.  

President Macron identifies himself as profoundly European – he has made the claim for greater European sovereignty one of the cross‑cutting themes of his international efforts. At the same time, he likes to describe France as a “counterweight,” particularly in the face of the growing influence of China, India and Russia. Foreign policy remains the exclusive domain of the President, who is particularly active on the international stage and on major global issues (the environment and the fight against climate change, the reform of international financial institutions).  

Emmanuel Macron began his political career with the Parti socialiste. He was Minister of the Economy under the Hollande administration from 2014 to 2016, after serving as Deputy Secretary General of the Élysée responsible for economic affairs from 2012 to 2014. He was previously an investment banker with Rothschild & Co.  

He graduated from Université Paris-Nanterre, the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (political studies institute) and the École Nationale d’Administration (national school of administration). He is a self‑professed soccer fan (cheering on the Marseille team) and has a keen interest in literature, including poetry and comics.

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Canada and France share a common history, a common language and close economic, cultural, security and parliamentary ties.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a nuclear power and the world’s 7th largest economy, France is a strategic partner and a key ally, particularly in the context of the G7, NATO and within the Francophonie.

Collaboration between Canada and France is organized through various bilateral partnerships in the areas of defence, innovation, culture, international mobility, the environment and sustainable development.

Former prime minister Gabriel Attal visited Canada from April 10 to 12, 2024, as part of the RAPM program (rotating meetings between the Prime Minister of France and the Premier of Quebec). Prime Minister Trudeau visited France on the following occasions: on June 6, 2024, for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy; from October 4 to 5, 2024, for the Francophonie Summit; and from February 9 to 11, 2025, for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. He had dinner with President Macron at the Élysée Palace on this occasion. The Governor General also visited France for the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. President Macron visited Canada from September 25 to 26, 2024. 

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Current status

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy

Biography
Headshot of Giorgia Meloni

Giorgia Meloni took office as Italy’s Prime Minister on October 22, 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the role. Meloni is the current leader and co-founder of Italy’s far-right Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party. As Prime Minister, she leads a coalition government made up of Fratelli d’Italia, Lega (League), and Forza Italia (Forward Italy). Matteo Salvini, leader of Lega, and Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza, both hold the position of Vice-President of the Council of Ministers. Tajani is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Meloni’s political career began in 1992 at the age of 15, when she joined the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) party, a far-right party founded by supporters of former fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Meloni later led the youth wing of Alleanza Nazionale (National Alliance), a party that emerged from MSI.

In 2006, at the age of 29, she became the youngest ever Deputy Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, and in 2008, she was appointed Youth Minister in Berlusconi’s final government, becoming Italy’s youngest minister in history. In 2012, she and some other Alleanza Nazionale veterans left Berlusconi’s government and co-founded the Brothers of Italy. She became its President in 2014.

Since 2020, Meloni has served as President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party, which groups together, at the European institutions level, more than 30 right-leaning political parties across the EU, including Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, Spain’s Vox, and Sweden’s Democrats, as well as the UK’s Conservative Party until Brexit.

Meloni was born in Rome in 1977. She holds a high school diploma in languages and is a journalist by profession. She has a daughter, Ginevra, born in 2016.

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Context
Summary

Canada and Italy are like-minded on key global and regional issues and work closely together in a range of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the G7, G20 and NATO. Canada and Italy have a strong commercial relationship. The relationship’s greatest potential lies in two-way investment as well as in innovation and technology-based partnerships. Canada-Italy trade is underpinned by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has been provisionally applied since September 21, 2017. Italy is one of the 10 remaining EU Member States that has not yet ratified CETA. [ * ]  

Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Meloni engaged regularly. They most recently spoke via phone call on December 11, 2024, and met in-person on the margins of the G20 Summit in Brazil on November 18, 2024. Prime Minister Meloni came to Canada (Toronto) for a working visit on March 2, 2024, and Prime Minister Trudeau visited Italy for the G7 Summit in June 2024. Both leaders also visited Ukraine on February 24, 2025, to mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

[ * ]
[ * ]
Current status

Bilateral collaboration between Canada and Italy is ongoing through the Italy-Canada Roadmap for Enhanced Cooperation. With the objective of further deepening political, economic, and strategic ties and elevating the bilateral relationship, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Meloni launched the Roadmap on the margins of the G7 Summit in June 2024. The Roadmap sets out ambitious, concrete plans for enhanced collaboration on a wide range of issues such as energy, climate change, trade and investment, sustainable economic growth, migration, security, and research and innovation.

As part of the implementation of the Roadmap, Canada and Italy finalized a Joint Statement on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials Cooperation in October 2024, and launched the Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence, co-chaired by Chief Science Advisor Dr. Mona Nemer, also in October 2024. [ * ]

Friedrich Merz, Presumptive Next Chancellor of Germany

[ * ]

Biography
Headshot of Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz entered active politics in 1989 when he was elected to the European Parliament. After one legislative period in Brussels, he joined the Bundestag in 1994, winning four consecutive terms as MP for his constituency in rural North-Rhine-Westphalia. Merz became the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)'s parliamentary leader in 2000, advocating for free market policies and tax reform. Merz stepped away from politics in 2004, to build a successful career in business, notably as Chairman of BlackRock Germany (2016-2020). He also served a decade as head of the Atlantik-Brücke, an organization committed to fostering transatlantic relations (2009-2019). Merz is a committed trans-atlanticist and friend of Canada.

In 2018, Merz returned to politics, to run for the CDU leadership. Merz lost both of his leadership bids in 2018 and 2020 to more centrist candidates. After the CDU went into opposition following its defeat in the 2021 federal election, Merz ran for a third time in January 2022 and won an absolute majority in the first round of votes.

Merz was born on November 11, 1955, in Brilon, Germany. He completed his law studies at the University of Bonn and the University of Marburg, after which he worked as a judge and corporate lawyer. He is married to a judge and has three children.

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Context
Summary

Canada and Germany enjoy a close and friendly partnership, reflected in active cooperation on the international stage as well as healthy trade and investment relations. Canada and Germany are like-minded global partners and allies with a shared commitment to bolstering multilateralism and the rules-based international order. Long-standing partners in NATO, Canada and Germany cooperate closely on security and defence issues, and are also both members of the G7 and G20, the OECD, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). In these and other international organizations, Canada and Germany champion common values and interests in areas such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law, international peace and security, global trade, and the environment and combatting climate change.

Prime Minister Trudeau and presumptive next Chancellor Merz did not engage [ * ]

German election

Federal elections were held on February 23, 2025. Friedrich Merz’s conservative alliance – Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) – obtained the most votes (28.5%). As the leader of the party that won the most seats, Merz will most likely become the next Chancellor. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) finished second with 20.8% of the votes, doubling its 2021 results (+10.4% percentage points). Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered heavy losses, obtaining only 16.4% of the votes, down from 25.7% in 2021. Scholz is expected to step down as leader of the SPD but will remain as caretaker Chancellor until a new Chancellor is inaugurated. The next step is the negotiation of the government coalition. At this stage, the only likely coalition option appears to be between the CDU/CSU and the SPD. Merz aims to have a government in place by Easter (April 20). [ * ]

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Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan

Biography
Headshot of Shigeru Ishiba

Shigeru ISHIBA is a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politician who has been elected 12 times to the House of Representatives since 1986. He has served as Minister of State for Regional Revitalization (2014-16), Secretary General of the LDP (2012-14), Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2008-09), Minister of Defense (2007-08), and Director General of the Defense Agency (2002-04).

Ishiba graduated from Keio University with a law degree and went on to work at Mitsui Bank before entering politics with the encouragement of former Prime Minister TANAKA Kakuei.

In recent years, Ishiba has readily described himself as a “defence nerd”. He hopes to delete the war-renouncing paragraph 2 in Article 9 of the Constitution and to add a clause that clearly defines the role of the Self-Defense Forces. On the campaign trail, he has also put forward the controversial idea of establishing “an Asian version of NATO” but has since walked back on this idea as a longer-term possibility. As a former Minister of Defense who has visited China on multiple occasions, Ishiba used to hold a moderate view on China and had suggested that building mutual trust was important. In recent years, however, he has been critical of China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour in the region, suggesting that China sees its borders as something that can be changed by national strength. Prior to securing the LDP leadership position, he visited Taiwan in August 2024 in a parliamentary capacity and met with Taiwanese President LAI Ching-te.

Ishiba had previously run for the party leadership election four times (2008, 2012, 2018, and 2020). Ishiba had not held a ministerial or senior party position since 2016 and he had been publicly critical of both Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Kishida.

Ishiba is a train enthusiast and prefers to travel by train whenever possible during his official duties. Ishiba loves 1970s idol group “The Candies” and is known to sing their songs enthusiastically at karaoke.

Ishiba has not been seen speaking English in public. However, he reportedly understands it well.

He is married to Yoshiko Ishiba. They have two daughters.

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Context
Summary

Japan is an influential strategic and economic partner with a like-minded approach to a dynamic Indo-Pacific region that is increasingly the focus of, or affected by, threats to the rules-based international order. It is also an important partner in trade, investment, and innovation, as Canada’s fourth largest merchandise trading partner and largest source of FDI from the Indo-Pacific region.

The Canada-Japan Action Plan and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, both launched in 2022, provide the framework for ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral and multilateral engagement between Canada and Japan, including in the areas of rule of law, peacekeeping/peacebuilding, health security, energy security, trade and investment, and environment and climate change, among others.

Prime Ministerial engagement with Japan is regular and ongoing. Although PM Trudeau has had only one opportunity (November 2024, G20 Leaders Summit) to meet with current Japanese PM ISHIBA Shigeru since Ishiba first became Prime Minister in October 2024, he met regularly with previous Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, including in September 2024 (UNGA High Level Week), June 2024 (G7 Summit), and November 2023 (APEC Summit). Both leaders also met in Ottawa in January 2023.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

Biography
Headshot of Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was born January 25, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.

Elected President of Ukraine on April 21, 2019, with 73.23% of the vote.

Became a global symbol of resistance after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, remaining in Kyiv and delivering speeches to rally Ukraine and gain international support.

Formally a comedian and an actor, produced and starred in the TV series "Servant of the People," in which he played the President of Ukraine.

Holds degree in Law from Kryvyi Rih Institute of Economics.

Married to Olena Zelenska, he has two children: a daughter, Oleksandra, and a son, Kyrylo.

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Context
Summary

Canada and Ukraine interact at the leader on an approximately monthly basis, whether by telephone or in person. Prime Minister Trudeau last met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on February 24, 2025, on the occasion of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, during which President Zelenskyy also participated in a portion of the G7 VTC chaired by the Prime Minister as G7 President. The Prime Minister visited Ukraine four times between 2022 in 2025 to reaffirm Canada’s support, and President Zelenskyy visited Canada in September 2023.

Canada has committed over $19.5 billion in multifaceted support, including financial, development, humanitarian, military, and security and stabilization assistance since February 24, 2022.

Canada and Ukraine have enjoyed close bilateral relations since Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991. People-to-people ties are underpinned by a 1.3-million Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, and more than 210,000 Ukrainian citizens have come to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine emergency travel authorization since February 2022.

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Current status

On February 24, Prime Minister Trudeau traveled to Kyiv on the occasion of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. While there, Canada chaired the G7 VTC on Ukraine, with participation the participation of President Zelenskyy, and participated in the International Summit on Support to Ukraine.

Canada also announced a new package of support for Ukraine:

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Biography
Headshot of Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen started her first five-year term as President of the European Commission on December 1, 2019. She was confirmed for a second five-year term in July 2024 and began her new mandate in December. She is the first woman to hold the office and only the second German. Ms. von der Leyen comes from the European People’s Party (EPP, Christian Democrats – centre-right), the EU’s largest and most influential political family, whose ranks also include Angela Merkel, Donald Tusk, and her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker.

Her first five-year Presidential programme put a particular emphasis on green and digital transformation of Europe’s economy and society, climate action, rejuvenating European democracy, and reinforcing the EU’s geopolitical and economic role in the world in support of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. She has played a significant role in rallying EU Member States to instate strong sanctions against Putin and his government in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Her second five-year programme, as outlined in her Political Guidelines and statement to Parliament on July 18, 2024, is expected to have a focus on prosperity and competitiveness, security and defence, democracy and social fairness, and EU leadership in the world.

Ms. von der Leyen previously served as German Federal Minister of Defence (2013-2019), where she was also the first woman in German history to hold this office. She has also served as Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs (2009-2013) and Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Woman and Youth (2005-2009). 

President von der Leyen first studied economics and medicine and became a medical doctor in 1991. In 2001, she completed a master's degree in public health. From 1988 to 2002, she practiced medicine in Hanover and Stanford, U.S.

Ms. von der Leyen was born on October 8, 1958, in Brussels, where her father was a senior European civil servant, and later a prominent German politician. Her family moved to Lehrte, close to Hanover (Lower Saxony) when she was 12. She is married to Heiko von der Leyen, a professor of medicine and entrepreneur. They have seven children, all in their 20s and 30s. 

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Context
Summary

The European Union (EU) is a strategic partner for Canada. Canada’s ever-growing relationship with the EU is the oldest formal relationship the EU has with any industrialized country, dating back to 1959. Thanks to the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canada and the EU are working more closely than ever on a wide range of issues, including foreign policy, international peace and security, trade and investment, climate change and environment, health, and development cooperation.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President von der Leyen engaged regularly. They most recently met in-person for the Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on February 12, 2025, and spoke via phone call on January 16, 2025. Both leaders also participated in the G7 VTC on February 24, 2025, to mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

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Current status

Canada-EU Summit: Leaders’ Summits between the Prime Minister of Canada and the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission are mandated by the Strategic Partnership Agreement. Based on the regular rotation of Summits every 1.5 to 2 years, the next Canada-EU Summit would be expected to be held in Brussels in 2025. While Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to Brussels for the Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting in February 2025 was an opportunity to have many of the same discussions that would occur at a Canada-EU Summit, it was not considered a formal Summit (the latter of which requires concurrence from all EU-27 Member States on hosting and on any joint outcomes/statements). [ * ]

[ * ]

António Costa, President of the European Council

Biography
Headshot of António Costa

Former Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) leader António Costa became Prime Minister of Portugal in November 2015, after securing the support of three far-left parties in Parliament to defeat the minority centre-right coalition that had been in power since 2011. In November 2023, Costa abruptly resigned as in face of a corruption investigation (remaining in place in a caretaker capacity until April 2024). No evidence has emerged directly implicating Costa, and he has not been identified as a formal suspect or charged with any crime. However, the investigation remains ongoing. In June 2024, he was elected to be the next President of the European Council and took office on December 1, 2024.

As prime minister, Costa put his stamp on Portugal’s January-June 2021 Presidency of the EU Council by promoting a “fair, green, digital recovery”, strengthening the European social model, and promoting enhanced international partnerships, including with India (leveraging Prime Minister Costa’s Goan heritage) and Africa.

Prime Minister Costa is no stranger to politics, having served as Minister of Justice, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in previous Socialist governments. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament (EP) between 2004 and 2005 and was elected as one of 14 EP vice presidents. However, his domestic political momentum picked up steam when he was elected Mayor of Lisbon, a position he held between 2007 and 2015 and was re-elected twice with overwhelming majorities.

Costa is the son of an Indian Goan writer, and a journalist and women’s rights advocate. He is married to Fernanda Maria Tadeu, a teacher, and has a daughter and a son. He studied law at the University of Lisbon and went on to obtain a postgraduate degree in European studies. He practiced law briefly before committing full-time to politics. His half-brother, Ricardo Costa, is the director of information for one of the largest media groups in Portugal.

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Context
Summary

The European Union (EU) is a strategic partner for Canada. Canada’s ever-growing relationship with the EU is the oldest formal relationship the EU has with any industrialized country, dating back to 1959. Thanks to the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canada and the EU are working more closely than ever on a wide range of issues, including foreign policy, international peace and security, trade and investment, climate change and environment, health, and development cooperation.

While President Costa has only been in his position since December 1, 2024, he and Prime Minister Trudeau have engaged regularly in the past few months. They most recently met in-person for the Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on February 12, 2025, and spoke via phone call on February 2, 2025 (following another recent phone call on January 20, 2025). Both leaders also participated in the G7 VTC on February 24, 2025, to mark the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

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[ * ]
Current status

Canada-EU Summit: Leaders’ Summits between the Prime Minister of Canada and the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission are mandated by the Strategic Partnership Agreement. Based on the regular rotation of Summits every 1.5 to 2 years, the next Canada-EU Summit would be expected to be held in Brussels in 2025. While Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to Brussels for the Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting in February 2025 was an opportunity to have many of the same discussions that would occur at a Canada-EU Summit, it was not considered a formal Summit (the latter of which requires concurrence from all EU-27 Member States on hosting and on any joint outcomes/statements). [ * ]

[ * ]

Mark Rutte, Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Biography
Headshot of Mark Rutte

Mark Rutte took office as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s 14th Secretary General on October 1, 2024. As a former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mr Rutte has a distinguished record of domestic and international achievements including security, defence, employment and social affairs, and economics. He is a strong supporter of global and transatlantic cooperation.

He joined NATO following a distinguished domestic and international career. Mr Rutte served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands for almost 14 years from October 2010 to July 2024. During this time, he presided over four coalition governments, proving his ability to forge consensus without compromising on his values.

Mr Rutte is the longest-serving Dutch Prime Minister to date. During his tenure, he steered the Netherlands through times of significant national and global upheaval, including the economic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. He is a committed European and transatlanticist and was instrumental in bolstering his country’s role at the heart of NATO and the European Union.

The downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) by Russian-backed forces over Eastern Ukraine in 2014 marked a turning point in Mr Rutte’s premiership. It cemented his belief that no country can respond to today’s interconnected security threats alone: we are stronger together.

He was a member of the Dutch Parliament from January to May 2003 and leader of the liberal Dutch People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from 2006 to 2023. He led his party to election victory in 2010, becoming the first liberal Prime Minister to be appointed in the Netherlands in 92 years.

Mr Rutte started his professional career in the private sector in 1992, working in human resources management for Unilever and its subsidiaries. He studied Dutch history at Leiden University and has been a guest teacher at the Johan de Witt group of schools in The Hague since 2008.

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Context
Summary

The 2025 NATO Summit will be held in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 24 to 26 June 2025. [ * ] Defence spending among Allies is expected to be one focus, including a discussion of a potential increase to the Defence Investment Pledge (currently 2% of GDP).

Your predecessors had a very close relationship, stemming from Rutte’s time as PM of the Netherlands. PM1 and NATO SG met in Brussels in February where they held a bilateral meeting. 

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Within two weeks-month

In this section

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

Biography
Headshot of Anthony Albanese

The Honourable Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Australia’s 31st prime minister on May 23, 2022.

He has previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House of Representatives.

As Infrastructure Minister and Communications Minister, he delivered nation-building projects, connecting the country through thousands of kilometres of roads and rail, and rolling out the high-speed fibre National Broadband Network.

Albanese was first elected to the Australian Parliament as the member for the Sydney seat of Grayndler in 1996.

In 2019, he was unanimously elected as the Leader of the Australian Labor Party.

Albanese is currently engaged to Jodie Haydon, with plans to marry after the next Australian Federal election (to be called by May 2025). He is of Italian and Irish descent.

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Context
Summary

Canada and Australia are key like-minded partners, though occasional competitors, across nearly all sectors of the relationship. We work closely in the Five Eyes defence, security and intelligence partnership, and our defence relationship with Australia is our most important in Asia/Oceania. As a key regional player and ally with strategic influence particularly among the Pacific Island Countries, Australia is central to progressing Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy objective to promote peace, resilience, and security in the region. [ * ] Canada’s close links with Australia are further strengthened by Canada-Australia-New Zealand (CANZ) co-operation within the UN, joint membership in the Commonwealth, G20, APEC and OECD, and collaboration based on shared history and challenges with Indigenous reconciliation.

Dates of prior engagements:

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Chris Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Biography
Headshot of Chris Luxon

Christopher (Chris) Luxon became Prime Minister of New Zealand in November 2023, leading a centre-right coalition.

Luxon was first elected in 2020 and became National Party Leader just over a year later, making him the fifth party leader in four years. He is said to be protégé of former Prime Minister John Key also of the National Party.

He supports low taxes and reducing the level of public spending, establishing military-style boot camps for young offenders, and is strongly opposed to welfare dependency and co-governance with Māori.

Prior to entering politics, he was a businessman, having served as CEO of Air New Zealand. He also served as President and CEO of Unilever Canada and was based in Toronto from 2008 to 2011.

Luxon studied commerce at the University of Canterbury. He has been described as an evangelical Christian although he describes his faith as “personal” and that he would resign from the premiership rather than allow change to the legal status of abortion.

He enjoys DIY projects, country music and waterskiing. He is married to Amanda Luxon and they have two children.

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Context
Summary

New Zealand is a close friend and an important ally and partner on a wide range of issues, including security and defence (particularly as Five Eyes partners); key global matters (including Russia/Ukraine and the Middle East); and upholding the rules-based international order. As Canada increases its presence and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, [ * ] we value New Zealand’s experience and reputation in that part of the world. Canada and New Zealand share a strong commitment to multilateralism and the protection of human rights. The two countries work together at the UN, in the Commonwealth, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, the Pacific Islands Forum (New Zealand is a member and Canada, a founding Dialogue Partner), and most recently through the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP). These close links are further strengthened by Canada-Australia-New Zealand (CANZ) co-operation within the UN.

Dates of prior engagements:

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Current status

His Majesty Abdullah II of Jordan, King of Jordan

Biography
Headshot of His Majesty Abdullah II of Jordan

Acceded to the throne in February 1999.

Focuses on economic and political reforms and the attraction of foreign investment to Jordan.

Is a key player on Middle East Peace Process and holds custodianship over holy sites in Jerusalem, an important role in the legitimacy of the Hashemite monarchy.

Served as a member of Jordan’s elite Special Forces before becoming Crown Prince. Graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK in 1980 and attended Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 1987.

Married to Rania al-Yasin, a Palestinian whose family was expelled from Kuwait after the first Gulf War in 1999. They have four children and one grandchild. His eldest son is Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.

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Context
Summary

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had several friendly and frank conversations with King Abdullah II, the most recent on February 3, 2025; there have been regular engagements with the King, like those with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. [ * ]

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Current status

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General

Biography
Headshot of António Guterres

António Guterres became the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations on January 1, 2017, re-elected unanimously to a second term in 2021. As Secretary-General, he has led the process of advocating for UN reform, including through the publication of "Our Common Agenda”, a framework prepared by his office advocating for a renewed focus on multilateralism. Some of the key Agenda items include calls for the 2023 Summit of the Future, and new agreements on reducing inequality, regulating digital technologies, promoting peace and reaching a new consensus on the environment.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from June 2005 to December 2015. Mr. Guterres headed the UN Refugee Agency through some of the most severe humanitarian crises in decades, including the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, as well as the crises in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Yemen.

Before joining UNHCR, Guterres served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. He was first elected to the Portuguese Parliament in 1976 where he served as a member for 17 years. In his capacity as prime minister of Portugal, Guterres also served as president of the European Council in early 2000, where he led the adoption of the “Lisbon Agenda” and co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit. He was a member of the Portuguese Council of State, an organ established by the Constitution to advise the President, from 1991 to 2002.

For many years Guterres was active in the Socialist International, a worldwide organization of social democratic political parties. He was the group’s vice-president from 1992 to 1999, co-chairing the African Committee and later the Development Committee. He served as President of the Socialist International from 1999 until mid-2005.

Guterres was born in Lisbon in 1949 and graduated from the Instituto Superior Técnico with a degree in engineering. He is fluent in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.

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Summary

Canada is a founding member of the United Nations (UN) and helped to draft the UN Charter—committed to the Charter’s guidance to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights.

Canada is the 7th largest donor to the UN, including voluntary and assessed contributions, after the US, Germany, Japan, the UK, and China – totaling USD $1.6 billion in 2023. Canada is also host to the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, and the Secretariat for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Prime Minister Trudeau established a strong working relationship with the UNSG and was invited by the UNSG to play a leadership role at the UN on the SDGs as the co-chair with the Prime Minister of Barbados the UNSG’s SDG Advocates and to co-chair with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the UNSG’s SDG Stimulus Leaders Group. The UNSG also invited Prime Minister Trudeau to be part of his Initiative of Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond with the Jamaican Prime Minister in 2020. Prime Minister Trudeau was also a member of the Leaders Group of the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. Prime Minister Trudeau leveraged a strong relationship with the UN to advance Canadian interests in Haiti, using the UN platform to, for example, host three leader-level meetings on Haiti and to mobilize additional support for his Global Carbon Pricing Challenge.

Prime Minister Trudeau last spoke to the UNSG at the AI Summit in France in February 2025, at the late former President Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 2025 and on the margins of the G20 in Brazil in November 2024. The last formal bilateral interaction was in September 2024 during UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, NY.

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Current status

National Indigenous Orgs

In this section

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Biography

Headshot of Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak began her term as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in December 2023. She grew up in Pinaymootang First Nation, Manitoba. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg. She started her career as an advisor to Manitoba Chief Francis Flett. In 2021, she was elected as the Regional Chief for the AFN Manitoba Region. During her tenure, she was the lead negotiator for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle class action lawsuits. She also led on advocacy for clean drinking water, universal internet connectivity and closing the infrastructure and housing gap for all First Nations.

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Context

Summary

The AFN advocates for First Nations in Canada, however, regional AFN leadership has called for greater regional representation at the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (PBM). Currently, Alberta First Nations have no representation in the AFN. First Nations representatives have continued to stress that Government of Canada engagement processes with non-rights holders and organizations, such as the AFN, do not constitute consultation and cannot be used to obtain free, prior and informed consent.

[ * ] The PBM includes an annual meeting that is co-chaired by the National Chief and the Prime Minister; however, the last was held in January 2019. Two additional meetings are to be held per year between federal Ministers and AFN leadership to advance key priorities. [ * ]

A Leaders’ meeting was anticipated to take place in Winter 2025, followed by a Prime Minister-National Chief Summit in Spring 2025 to seek endorsement of the co-development principles and updated joint priorities. The prorogation of Parliament delayed plans for these meetings. 

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Consideration(s)
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  • While National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak has acknowledged that Canada has taken meaningful steps to address issues that matter to First Nations, she has also expressed concerns with delays on key issues including the long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and the tabling of Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act.
  • Recently the National Chief has publicly emphasized the importance of economic reconciliation and sent a letter calling for Canada’s First Ministers to include First Nations leadership in their ongoing strategic discussions regarding border issues, Arctic sovereignty, and Canada’s tariff response.
  • [ * ] the PBM with a focus on endorsing and updated list of joint priorities to reflect the current needs and priorities of First Nations, as well as a set of co-development principles to guide future work.
Current status
  • Recent advancements in the nation-to-nation relationship include the AFN-Canada Co-Development Principles and Agreement-in-Principle for New Joint Priorities under the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism.
  • Joint priority areas identified for future work include work to close the infrastructure gap in all asset categories; advancing an economic reconciliation framework; strengthening First Nations justice systems; advancing the long-term reform of First Nations child and family services; and advancing the implementation of First Nations and Shared Action Plan measures under the UN Declaration Act Action Plan.
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Natan Obed, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Biography

Headshot of Natan Obed

Natan Obed is the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). He was first elected in 2015 and was acclaimed to his third consecutive term in 2021. He grew up in Nain, the northernmost community of Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). He graduated from Tufts University in 2001. For 10 years, he lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and worked as the Director of Social and Cultural Development for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, which represents the rights of beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

President Obed is the national spokesperson for Inuit in Canada and also serves as Vice-President of Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada. As ITK President, he implements the direction set out by Inuit Leadership from the four regions of Inuit Nunangat — the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.

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Context

Summary

Canada has had a very strong relationship with President Obed and the ITK, which has been facilitated by the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) structure. The ICPC is a bilateral mechanism between Inuit and the Crown established in 2017. It includes an annual meeting that is co-chaired by President Obed and the Prime Minister, which was last held in May 2024. Two additional meetings occur per year that are co-chaired by President Obed and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous relations to advance key priorities.

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Consideration(s)
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    • The Inuit Nunangat Policy applies to all federal departments and agencies, guiding them in the design, development, and delivery of all new or renewed federal policies, programs, services, and initiatives that apply in Inuit Nunangat and/or benefit Inuit, including programs of general application, and to support Inuit self-determination.
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Current status

Recent advancements in the Crown-Indigenous Relationship include:

  • the co-development and endorsement of both the Inuit Nunangat Policy and the Principles of co-development to support Inuit self-determination;
  • the co-development and endorsement of a policy option for a Cabinet Directive on the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy;
  • the endorsement of the implementation plan for the co-developed Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy aimed at closing the housing gap between Inuit and the rest of Canada; and
  • the delivery of apologies to Inuit by the Prime Minister and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations related to past harmful actions of the federal government, including the recent apology for the Nunavik Dog Slaughter. 

Joint priority areas for future work include Inuit land claims implementation; homelessness; Inuktut revitalization; infrastructure; housing; the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; health and wellness; economic development and procurement; sovereignty, defence and security; and education.

The ITK submitted a pre-budget 2025 submission that includes requests for $50 million over four years for an Inuit Nunangat University; $75 billion over 35 years for infrastructure; $1.8 billion over 15 years for an Inuit Nunangat school food program; $131.6 million over 7 years for tuberculosis elimination; $1 billion over 10 years for Inuktut revitalization, and $9.7 billion over 10 years for the Inuit Child First Initiative.

Victoria Pruden, President of the Métis National Council

Biography

Headshot of Victoria Pruden

Victoria Pruden was elected as President in December 2024. She is committed to strengthening the MNC during this period of change in the Métis Nation’s political landscape. Born in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), Victoria is the seventh generation of a large Métis family whose legacy includes her forefather, an HBC Chief Factor who named Edmonton.

Victoria has dedicated much of her life and career to advocating for Métis citizens and uplifting her community. Victoria held leadership roles with the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) in Women, Elders, Employment, Child and Family Services, and Veterans ministries, and has served her Métis community in Victoria, British Columbia as President, Vice‑President, and Director for over ten years. Victoria joined the Métis National Council as Senior Director of Strategic Policy in April 2024 until she was confidently appointed Chief Executive Officer (Interim) in October 2024.

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Context

Summary

[ * ] The Canada-Métis Nation Accord was signed in April 2017 by the Prime Minister, and the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (PBM) has resulted in the endorsement and signing of six Sub-Accords and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). However, the MNC has faced challenges over the past year due to internal organizational turmoil and conflict between different Métis bodies that represent rights holders across the country. President Prudent was elected in December 2024 after serving as interim leader [ * ]

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Consideration(s)
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  • In 2017, the MNC represented five provincial Métis governments: Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), Métis Nation of Alberta which is now called Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG), Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S), Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Following the withdrawal of three governing members (MMF in 2021, and MN-S and MNBC in 2024), the MNC now only represents the MNA and MNO.
  • Canada-Métis Nation Accord includes a commitment to hold three annual meetings between federal and Métis Nation leaders, one of which is chaired by the Prime Minister.
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  • [ * ] The MMF withdrew from the MNC due to concerns that MNO’s citizenship includes non-Métis members and there is ongoing litigation between the MMF and MNC.
Current status

In 2024-25, no PBM meetings involving ministers, or the Prime Minister were held [ * ]

There are areas of joint work where the MNC views positive progress has been made:

  • The 2017 Canada-Métis Nation Accord was considered a historical milestone and was followed in 2019 by a successful sub-accord on governance that provided the MNC with core governance funding.
  • In addition, collaborative work has been advanced in the areas of skills, education and training, early learning and childcare, and post-secondary education. Positive progress continues to address housing and homeless for citizens of the Métis Nation.
  • Finally, the Canada and the MNC have worked closely over a number of years to develop the Canada-Métis Nation Co-Development Principles that would guide how the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation work together on joint initiatives, including draft legislation, regulations, and content for policies, programs, and services, in a manner that aligns with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. [ * ]  

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The MNC’s 2025 Federal Budget Submission includes 20 budget recommendations for a total of approximately $39.1 billion in federal funding with the most significant recommendations in health ($13.5 billion over ten years) and emergency management ($417 million over ten years).

Other partners

In this section

General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff

Biography

Headshot of General Jennie Carignan

A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Engineering, General Jennie Carignan was commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990.

Since then, she commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments, Royal Military College Saint-Jean and the 2nd Canadian Division, where she led more than 10,000 soldiers and spearheaded crisis operations during the flood relief efforts in the spring of 2019 in Quebec. More recently, she led NATO Mission Iraq from November 2019 to November 2020. Gen Carignan participated in three previous expeditionary operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Golan Heights, and Afghanistan. From 2021 to 2024, Gen Carignan was appointed Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture.

Along the way, Gen Carignan earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Université Laval and a second Master’s degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She is also a graduate of the National Security Studies Programme from Canadian Forces College in Toronto and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Huntington University.

Gen Carignan has been invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit and is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Cross. She received the prestigious Gloire de l'Escolle medal which recognizes graduates from Université Laval who have distinguished themselves professionally and in service to their communities. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Université Laval. Married, Gen Carignan is the mother of four children, two of whom proudly serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.

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Context

Summary

The CDS is the head of the CAF and is charged with its control and administration. The CDS provides military advice to the Cabinet, particularly to the Minister of National Defence and to the Prime Minister. The role of the CDS is a Governor in Council appointment made on the advice of the Prime Minister. Unless the Governor in Council directs otherwise, all orders and instructions to the CAF are issued by or through the CDS.

Prime Minister Trudeau regularly received advice from the CDS on matters pertaining to the CAF or the defence of Canada.

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Current status
  • General Carignan was promoted to her current rank and appointed as CDS in July 2024.
  • The core missions of the CAF are:
    • Detect, deter, and defend against threats to or attacks on Canada.
    • Detect, deter, and defend against threats to or the attack on North America in partnership with the United States, including through NORAD.
    • Lead and/or contribute forces to NATO and coalition efforts to deter and defeat adversaries, including terrorists, to support global stability.
    • Lead and/or contribute to international peace operations and stabilization missions with the United Nations, NATO and other multilateral partners.
    • Engage in capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security abroad.
    • Provide assistance to civil authorities and law enforcement, including counter-terrorism, in support of national security and the security of Canadians abroad.
    • Provide assistance to civil authorities and non-governmental partners in responding to international and domestic disasters or major emergencies.
    • Conduct search and rescue operations.

Michael (Mike) Duheme, RCMP Commissioner

Biography

Headshot of Michael Duheme

Mike Duheme was appointed Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in May 2023. He began his RCMP career as a general duty investigator in New Minas, Nova Scotia in 1988, before taking on roles including RCMP Emergency Response Team member, VIP personal protection officer, and Operations Commander for the Francophone Summit. He has served in four provinces and in Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission.

More recently, Commissioner Duheme served as: the first Director of the Parliamentary Protective Service; Commanding Officer of National Division, where he oversaw the conduct of sensitive and international investigations that impact Canada's national interests; and Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing, which includes investigating drug and organized crime, economic crime, and terrorist criminal activity, as well as enforcing federal statutes and securing Canada's border, conducting international capacity building, peacekeeping; and ensuring the safety of major events.

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Context

Summary

RCMP is part of the Public Safety portfolio and reports through the Deputy Minister of Public Safety, although Ministerial accountability for the RCMP is different from other government organizations because of the RCMP’s independence over the police powers of investigation, arrest, and prosecution.

Its core responsibilities include contract and Indigenous policing, federal policing, and specialized policing services. In Canada, RCMP employees work in over 700 detachments and 150 communities and provide policing services in more than 600 Indigenous communities. Internationally, the RCMP provides specialized training for police officers, conducts international policing activities, and shares intelligence and cooperates with partners to support investigations and disrupt and dismantle criminal operations. Direct engagement between the Prime Minister and RCMP Commissioner is typically limited.

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Considerations
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  • The Commissioner has called for significant investments in RCMP personnel, training, and technology. The Commissioner may address these concerns directly with you.
Current status
  • Currently, the RCMP’s footprint and role in Canada is expanding. The organization is looking to hire 257 new full-time employees to enhance RCMP border enforcement and security capacity, including fighting fentanyl and its chemical precursors domestically and internationally. The RCMP is also procuring new equipment required to help secure Canada’s border from public safety and national security threats. Funding allocated to the RCMP under Canada’s border plan would support three broad lines of effort: establishing an Aerial Intelligence Task Force, increasing investigative capacity, and establishing a new Joint North American Fentanyl Strike Force.
  • The RCMP is managing the immediate and long-term sustainability of the organization’s border technology footprint, which includes drones, counter-drone technology, helicopters, and mobile surveillance assets. It is employing available procurement mechanisms and Public Services and Procurement Canada to identify solutions on an urgent basis, particularly for tools and technology that are needed immediately.
  • Finally, the RCMP is working with other government departments regarding the use of portable assets for initial surge capacity and will seek to leverage existing Government of Canada programs to support the RCMP’s operational response to secure the border. The RCMP also continues to engage critical partners who share border security and enforcement concerns, including Indigenous communities and policing services and provincial, territorial and municipal law enforcement organizations.

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