<p>Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting.</p>

<p>&quot;We did not talk about Jaspal Atwal,&quot; the Canadian prime minister said when asked whether he spoke to PM Modi about Jaspal Atwal whose dinner invitation by Canada&#39;s visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled after an uproar.</p>

<p>Justin Trudeau said the dinner invite to the Khalistani terrorist was &#39;unacceptable&#39; and that he would be meeting<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716"> the MP who extended the invitation</a>.</p>

<p>&quot;Obviously the situation was unacceptable. Like I said yesterday this individual should have never been invited and the MP (Member of Parliament) responsible has taken responsibility. I would be having a conversation with the MP in Canada,&quot; the Canadian PM added.</p>

<p>Asked about the list of &quot;suspected extremists&quot; by the Punjab government and the centre, Justin Trudeau said the list had been passed to intelligence officials who would go through Canadian procedures.</p>

<p>&quot;We regularly receive info on people of interest and make appropriate follow-ups on them. No further comment to make on the list, passed it to our intelligence officials who&#39;ll go through Canadian procedures,&quot; the Canadian PM said.</p>

<p>Also read - <a href="http://http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-space-for-those-who-misuse-religion-for-political-motives-separatism-pm-modi-33799">No space for those who misuse religion for political motives &amp; separatism: PM Modi</a></p>

<p>The Canadian prime minister said he was happy to be able to meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.</p>

<p>&quot;I am pleased to be able to refresh and renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Punjab chief minister.We know it&#39;s a relationship important to many Canadians.We will continue to look for ways to deepen investment to move forward and there are many steps to come to improve that relationship,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>On a lighter note, Justin Trudeau also spoke about his wearing Indian attire and said the response of the people whether he wore Indian or western clothes was &quot;extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;ve long been known to wear traditional clothes to a broad range of events in different communities in Canada and elsewhere. The reaction of people on whether I&#39;m wearing traditional clothing or suit and tie is extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship,&quot; said the Canadian prime minister who made a series of appearances in Indian attire during his visit.<br />
<br />
(<em>With inputs from ANI</em>)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting

Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not talk about Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal during their meeting. "We did not talk about Jaspal Atwal," the Canadian prime minister said when asked whether he spoke to PM Modi about Jaspal Atwal whose dinner invitation by Canada's visiting PM Justin Trudeau was cancelled after an uproar. Justin Trudeau said the dinner invite to the Khalistani terrorist was 'unacceptable' and that he would be meeting the MP who extended the invitation. "Obviously the situation was unacceptable. Like I said yesterday this individual should have never been invited and the MP (Member of Parliament) responsible has taken responsibility. I would be having a conversation with the MP in Canada," the Canadian PM added. Asked about the list of "suspected extremists" by the Punjab government and the centre, Justin Trudeau said the list had been passed to intelligence officials who would go through Canadian procedures. "We regularly receive info on people of interest and make appropriate follow-ups on them. No further comment to make on the list, passed it to our intelligence officials who'll go through Canadian procedures," the Canadian PM said. Also read - No space for those who misuse religion for political motives & separatism: PM Modi The Canadian prime minister said he was happy to be able to meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. "I am pleased to be able to refresh and renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Punjab chief minister.We know it's a relationship important to many Canadians.We will continue to look for ways to deepen investment to move forward and there are many steps to come to improve that relationship," he said. On a lighter note, Justin Trudeau also spoke about his wearing Indian attire and said the response of the people whether he wore Indian or western clothes was "extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship." "I've long been known to wear traditional clothes to a broad range of events in different communities in Canada and elsewhere. The reaction of people on whether I'm wearing traditional clothing or suit and tie is extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship," said the Canadian prime minister who made a series of appearances in Indian attire during his visit. (With inputs from ANI)

Did not talk about Atwal: Justin Trudeau after meeting with PM Modi

<p>An <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716">invitation sent out to a convicted terrorist</a>, who supported an illegal Sikh separatist group, for an official event in honour of visiting Canadian Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681">Justin Trudeau</a> has created a storm in New Delhi. The Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal, was found guilty of trying to kill a Punjab minister in Vancouver in the &#39;80s and was sentenced to 20 years in jail. That sentence was overturned and Atwal never went to jail.</p>

<p>Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau&#39;s Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia.</p>

<p><strong>WION&#39;s&nbsp;Saurabh Bose </strong>spoke to&nbsp;Dosanjh on Trudeau&#39;s visit and the controversy around invitation given to Atwal.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Jaspal Atwal&#39;s presence in Canadian PM&#39;s delegation to India has generated lot of controversy. What do you have to say about that?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> I learnt about it today. It is troubling to know that a man who was convicted for an assassination attempt is in the delegation led by Canadian PM. I know that he may not be part of the official delegation but he is visiting India at the same time and was invited to the official dinner in PM Trudeau&#39;s honour by the Canadian high commission. Therefore, I assume that he is somewhat known to the PM&#39;s delegation as well as the high comissioner.</p>

<p><strong>Q: But the Canadian high commissioner gave an official invite to Atwal to attend a dinner on February 22 with the PM in Delhi and then withdrew the invitation...</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> I believe that whole trip of Trudeau has been marred by these kind of incidents. First, there was speculation over his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, then they decided to mend their fences and met. Then this controversy erupted. And when you look at that, one is baffled by the fact that Atwal, who had attacked someone like me back in the &#39;80s, is included in the high commissioner&#39;s dinner. He is fairly well known. He was acquitted of the charges but then he again tried to kill the visiting Punjab cabinet minister (Malkiat Singh Sidhu) and I believe that kind of man who served time in jail as a result of that conviction ought to have been known to the Prime Minister&#39;s Office.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Did Atwal attack you because you espoused the cause of united India while lot of radicals were talking about Khalistan in Canada in those days?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> Well, that was the reason. I was one of the very few people in Canada who spoke up at that time and I spoke up for two reasons - one for the unity and integrity of India and more importantly for unity of the Indian community. We have people from different faiths living here (in Canada) and we want to make sure that we live in peace amongst ourselves and with the rest of Canadian population. We have had a long struggle to gain basic rights in Canada and I don&#39;t want that struggle to be reversed, to lose ground by these kind of activities so I spoke out for Canada and India at that time.</p>

<p><strong>Q: And Atwal then attacked Malkiat Singh Sidhu and was convicted for it, right?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> He attacked me first and he of course denied the attack. He was acquitted on technicalities by the judge and I said &#39;you know, fine, justice has been done. If the Crown prosecution has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt so be it&#39; but then he went on to attack the visiting Punjab cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island and for that he was convicted. He is obviously a bit of a controversial chap, he has some recent convictions in connection with an insurance fraud. I am not aware of that but I am learning from the newspapers.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Do you think his previous actions are reasons good enough for the Canadian goevrnment to keep a distance?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> Oh, absolutely. Forget the attempted assassination on Punjabi cabinet minister or assault against me, just the insurance fraud would have kept someone away from the high commissioner&#39;s dinner or reception in India. I believe that obviously the Prime Minister&#39;s Office and security apparatus has failed in this regard. I am somewhat suprised and dissapointed.</p>

<p><strong>Q: What should the Canadian government do to make things better?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> It encourages them indirectly by appearing in their events, by appearing on their stages, by appearing in parades where some of the mass murderers like Talvinder Parmar - who bombed Air India - where their potrait are glorified. So I believe that in fact you know it is alright for PM of Canada to say that we believe in the unity of India and integrity of India and we won&#39;t support Khalistan but what really needs to be done and where I think Indian politicians have been absolutely inept is the framing of the question. The question ought not to be framed by politicians like &#39;Mr Trudeau do something about these people in Canada&#39; that&#39;s not the issue because Canada will simply say to you we are a free country, people are free to express their views so is India. The question is not whether you express or they express their views; the question is whether the government, the cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister and other politicians in this country associate themselves with the Khalistanis in their functions, their parades. When these terrorists pray in those parades openly and shout Khalistan slogans and glorify those murderers, it is then that politicians shouldn&#39;t adorn those stages; that is what&#39;s wrong. Politicians must cease and desist from doing that and if they understand this, the Khalistan problem in Canada will disappear and that&#39;s what the government of India needs to say to Canadian politicians. The issue is: Canadian politicians are complicit by appearing at their functions, on their stages where these mass murderers are glorified and when Khalistan slogans are raised. This complicity must stop that&#39;s what government of India and politicians of India need to say (to them). So far, nobody has said that clearly.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Anything else that the Canadians should do?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> Well, I am saddened both as an Indian by heritage and Canadian by citizenship that this trip has not gone well. It could have gone well as the government of Canada knew that India was concerned about the Khalistani activity here. I am still hoping that it can be salvaged when the two Prime Ministers meet.</p>

<p><strong>Q: Any message for the Canadian PM?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ujjal Dosanjh:</strong> <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadians-surprised-trudeaus-reception-hasnt-been-welcoming-33701">Mr Trudeau</a> is a smart man, he does not need any message from me but I think it is important. I am sure it is clear to him that issue isn&#39;t unity and integrity of India, the issue is not of free speech. The issue is whether or not he, his government and other politicians in this country and his colleagues - directly or indirectly - support the activities of Khalistanis by being in their functions, by being on their stages where murderers are glorified, where Khalistan slogans are raised and I think that&#39;s an issue that he needs to pay attention to.</p>


Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau's Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia.

An invitation sent out to a convicted terrorist, who supported an illegal Sikh separatist group, for an official event in honour of visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created a storm in New Delhi. The Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal, was found guilty of trying to kill a Punjab minister in Vancouver in the '80s and was sentenced to 20 years in jail. That sentence was overturned and Atwal never went to jail. Atwal was also charged, but not convicted, in a 1985 near-fatal attack on Ujjal Dosanjh, a member of Trudeau's Liberal Party and opponent of the Sikh separatist movement. He later became the premier of British Columbia. WION's Saurabh Bose spoke to Dosanjh on Trudeau's visit and the controversy around invitation given to Atwal. Q: Jaspal Atwal's presence in Canadian PM's delegation to India has generated lot of controversy. What do you have to say about that? Ujjal Dosanjh: I learnt about it today. It is troubling to know that a man who was convicted for an assassination attempt is in the delegation led by Canadian PM. I know that he may not be part of the official delegation but he is visiting India at the same time and was invited to the official dinner in PM Trudeau's honour by the Canadian high commission. Therefore, I assume that he is somewhat known to the PM's delegation as well as the high comissioner. Q: But the Canadian high commissioner gave an official invite to Atwal to attend a dinner on February 22 with the PM in Delhi and then withdrew the invitation... Ujjal Dosanjh: I believe that whole trip of Trudeau has been marred by these kind of incidents. First, there was speculation over his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, then they decided to mend their fences and met. Then this controversy erupted. And when you look at that, one is baffled by the fact that Atwal, who had attacked someone like me back in the '80s, is included in the high commissioner's dinner. He is fairly well known. He was acquitted of the charges but then he again tried to kill the visiting Punjab cabinet minister (Malkiat Singh Sidhu) and I believe that kind of man who served time in jail as a result of that conviction ought to have been known to the Prime Minister's Office. Q: Did Atwal attack you because you espoused the cause of united India while lot of radicals were talking about Khalistan in Canada in those days? Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, that was the reason. I was one of the very few people in Canada who spoke up at that time and I spoke up for two reasons - one for the unity and integrity of India and more importantly for unity of the Indian community. We have people from different faiths living here (in Canada) and we want to make sure that we live in peace amongst ourselves and with the rest of Canadian population. We have had a long struggle to gain basic rights in Canada and I don't want that struggle to be reversed, to lose ground by these kind of activities so I spoke out for Canada and India at that time. Q: And Atwal then attacked Malkiat Singh Sidhu and was convicted for it, right? Ujjal Dosanjh: He attacked me first and he of course denied the attack. He was acquitted on technicalities by the judge and I said 'you know, fine, justice has been done. If the Crown prosecution has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt so be it' but then he went on to attack the visiting Punjab cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island and for that he was convicted. He is obviously a bit of a controversial chap, he has some recent convictions in connection with an insurance fraud. I am not aware of that but I am learning from the newspapers. Q: Do you think his previous actions are reasons good enough for the Canadian goevrnment to keep a distance? Ujjal Dosanjh: Oh, absolutely. Forget the attempted assassination on Punjabi cabinet minister or assault against me, just the insurance fraud would have kept someone away from the high commissioner's dinner or reception in India. I believe that obviously the Prime Minister's Office and security apparatus has failed in this regard. I am somewhat suprised and dissapointed. Q: What should the Canadian government do to make things better? Ujjal Dosanjh: It encourages them indirectly by appearing in their events, by appearing on their stages, by appearing in parades where some of the mass murderers like Talvinder Parmar - who bombed Air India - where their potrait are glorified. So I believe that in fact you know it is alright for PM of Canada to say that we believe in the unity of India and integrity of India and we won't support Khalistan but what really needs to be done and where I think Indian politicians have been absolutely inept is the framing of the question. The question ought not to be framed by politicians like 'Mr Trudeau do something about these people in Canada' that's not the issue because Canada will simply say to you we are a free country, people are free to express their views so is India. The question is not whether you express or they express their views; the question is whether the government, the cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister and other politicians in this country associate themselves with the Khalistanis in their functions, their parades. When these terrorists pray in those parades openly and shout Khalistan slogans and glorify those murderers, it is then that politicians shouldn't adorn those stages; that is what's wrong. Politicians must cease and desist from doing that and if they understand this, the Khalistan problem in Canada will disappear and that's what the government of India needs to say to Canadian politicians. The issue is: Canadian politicians are complicit by appearing at their functions, on their stages where these mass murderers are glorified and when Khalistan slogans are raised. This complicity must stop that's what government of India and politicians of India need to say (to them). So far, nobody has said that clearly. Q: Anything else that the Canadians should do? Ujjal Dosanjh: Well, I am saddened both as an Indian by heritage and Canadian by citizenship that this trip has not gone well. It could have gone well as the government of Canada knew that India was concerned about the Khalistani activity here. I am still hoping that it can be salvaged when the two Prime Ministers meet. Q: Any message for the Canadian PM? Ujjal Dosanjh: Mr Trudeau is a smart man, he does not need any message from me but I think it is important. I am sure it is clear to him that issue isn't unity and integrity of India, the issue is not of free speech. The issue is whether or not he, his government and other politicians in this country and his colleagues - directly or indirectly - support the activities of Khalistanis by being in their functions, by being on their stages where murderers are glorified, where Khalistan slogans are raised and I think that's an issue that he needs to pay attention to.

Man who Jaspal Atwal tried to kill has a message for Trudeau

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he is looking forward to the meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking to Twitter, Modi said: I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I look forward to meeting PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/966676587662819328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a separate tweet, Modi said that he hoped Trudeau had an enjoyable visit to India so far and that he particularly looked forward to meeting Trudeau&#39;s three children Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I hope PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far. I particularly look forward to meeting his children Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. Here is a picture from my 2015 Canada visit, when I&#39;d met PM Trudeau and Ella-Grace. <a href="https://t.co/Ox0M8EL46x">pic.twitter.com/Ox0M8EL46x</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/966677556299624448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also posted a picture of him along with Trudeau and Ella-Grace during his visit to Canada in April 2015.</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s comments came even as a row broke out about an invitation being extended to convicted Khalistan separatist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commission here for a reception on Thursday night in honour of the visiting dignitary.</p>


The duo are expected to hold talks on defence and counter-terrorism cooperation during their meeting tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he is looking forward to the meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family on Friday. Taking to Twitter, Modi said: I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries. I look forward to meeting PM @JustinTrudeau tomorrow and holding talks on further strengthening India-Canada relations in all spheres. I appreciate his deep commitment to ties between our two countries. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2018 × In a separate tweet, Modi said that he hoped Trudeau had an enjoyable visit to India so far and that he particularly looked forward to meeting Trudeau's three children Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien. I hope PM @JustinTrudeau and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far. I particularly look forward to meeting his children Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. Here is a picture from my 2015 Canada visit, when I'd met PM Trudeau and Ella-Grace. pic.twitter.com/Ox0M8EL46x — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2018 × He also posted a picture of him along with Trudeau and Ella-Grace during his visit to Canada in April 2015. Modi's comments came even as a row broke out about an invitation being extended to convicted Khalistan separatist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commission here for a reception on Thursday night in honour of the visiting dignitary.

Look forward to meeting Justin Trudeau and his kids: PM Modi

<p>The Canadian Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Thursday issued a statement saying that separatist Jaspal Atwal should not have been invited and that they are probing on &ldquo;how this occurred,&rdquo; news agencies reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-cancels-dinner-invite-to-convicted-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33681" target="_blank">Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal</a></strong></p>

<p>&ldquo;This individual( Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal) should never have been invited to any event on the program, and his invitation has been rescinded. We are in the process of looking into how this occurred,&rdquo; stated the Canadian PMO&#39;s&nbsp;statement.</p>

<p>The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau&#39;s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light.</p>

<p>Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel had cancelled Thursday&rsquo;s dinner invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist.</p>

<p>Patel was hosting the dinner for the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The High Commission has rescinded Mr Atwal&rsquo;s invitation. We do not comment on matters relating to the PM&rsquo;s security,&rdquo; the Canadian High Commission said.</p>

<p>Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.</p>


Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Indian cabinet minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed & shot at Sidhu's car

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday issued a statement saying that separatist Jaspal Atwal should not have been invited and that they are probing on “how this occurred,” news agencies reported. Also read: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal “This individual( Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal) should never have been invited to any event on the program, and his invitation has been rescinded. We are in the process of looking into how this occurred,” stated the Canadian PMO's statement. The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau's wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light. Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel had cancelled Thursday’s dinner invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist. Patel was hosting the dinner for the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation. “The High Commission has rescinded Mr Atwal’s invitation. We do not comment on matters relating to the PM’s security,” the Canadian High Commission said. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu. Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Khalistani terrorist should never have been invited to our event: Canada

<p>Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm told WION&nbsp;Thursday that &quot;Canadians are surprised that Trudeau&#39;s reception (in India) hasn&#39;t been very welcoming.&quot; &nbsp;</p>

<p>She added that &quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet Trudeau at the airport and that it looks like the trip is more like a family vacation for Trudeau as opposed to official business.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The story that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canada-seems-to-think-india-is-snubbing-trudeau-govt-says-no-33354" target="_blank">Indian government might be &quot;snubbing&quot; Trudeau</a> has been picked up by both the Indian and international media.</p>

<p>Trudeau after all tends to generate a large amount of buzz wherever he goes but that hasn&#39;t been the case here in India.</p>

<p>The problem is that the Canadian prime minister has four Sikh MPs in his cabinet, some of whom India says have links to Khalistani terrorists. And Trudeau has in the past said that they are entitled to support the idea of a free Khalistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Things got worse on Thursday when it was discovered that a convicted Khalistani terrorist had been invited to a dinner -- to be held Thursday night -- hosted by the Canadian high commissioner to Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Canadian officials ran to do some damage control; the invite was rescinded and the Canadian PMO said Jaspal Atwal should <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696" target="_blank">never have been invited</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Canadian Minister Kirsty Duncan speaks about dinner reception invite to Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal, says, &#39;this person of course shouldn&#39;t have been invited.Invitation has now been rescinded. We are looking into how it happened.&#39; Refuses to answer further questions. <a href="https://t.co/oR1QD9Q69C">pic.twitter.com/oR1QD9Q69C</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966587001339367424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;This story that an extreme, radical and convicted criminal being invited as part of Trudeau&#39;s entourage is very disturbing, very upsetting for Canadians. The judgement of our PM is being called into question as to why he would invite such an individual,&quot; Malcom told WION&#39;s Ramesh Ramachandran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think it&#39;s necessarily expected,&quot; Malcom said when she was asked about the alleged &quot;cold shoulder&quot; given to Trudeau. (The Indian government has refuted the allegation, saying it is not possible for the prime minister to accompany every visiting head of state.) &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;When our PM goes somewhere, it&#39;s expected that people get excited. But in India, his political activities in Canada are catching up with him and it&#39;s totally reasonable for the Indian government to have issues with the way that Trudeau is acting by having partisan political events with his Liberal Party that include Khalistani radicals and separatists that are causing problems in India,&quot; Malcolm added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Malcolm was asked why Trudeau might be reluctant to call out the Khalistani leaders on their separatism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Canadians can express their own political views but as the PM, Trudeau has a higher responsibility and it&#39;s irresponsible for him to be pandering and seemingly associating with extremists and terrorists by going to events where he is pictured with so-called murderers or extremists and terrorists. This is very divisive and our PM should have better judgement and should stay away from those types of events,&quot; she answered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also offered an answer as to why that might be the case, saying: &quot;Justin Trudeau has a large Sikh constituency in Canada. He relies on Sikh votes, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Most Sikhs in Canada are not extremists, not terrorists. They don&#39;t believe in this idea of an independent Khalistan but some members do. And Trudeau doen&#39;s seem to have the right judgement in drawing that distinction. And it&#39;s not right for Canadians to get involved in other countries&#39; internal politics. Canadians wouldn&#39;t like world leaders, say PM Modi, spending time and supporting Quebec separatists in our country. So we should have that respect for India and Trudeau and the Liberal Party should stay away from extremists like the Khalistani groups.</p>


Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm spoke with WION's Ramesh Ramachandran

Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm told WION Thursday that "Canadians are surprised that Trudeau's reception (in India) hasn't been very welcoming." She added that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet Trudeau at the airport and that it looks like the trip is more like a family vacation for Trudeau as opposed to official business." The story that the Indian government might be "snubbing" Trudeau has been picked up by both the Indian and international media. Trudeau after all tends to generate a large amount of buzz wherever he goes but that hasn't been the case here in India. The problem is that the Canadian prime minister has four Sikh MPs in his cabinet, some of whom India says have links to Khalistani terrorists. And Trudeau has in the past said that they are entitled to support the idea of a free Khalistan. Things got worse on Thursday when it was discovered that a convicted Khalistani terrorist had been invited to a dinner -- to be held Thursday night -- hosted by the Canadian high commissioner to Delhi. Canadian officials ran to do some damage control; the invite was rescinded and the Canadian PMO said Jaspal Atwal should never have been invited. #WATCH Canadian Minister Kirsty Duncan speaks about dinner reception invite to Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal, says, 'this person of course shouldn't have been invited.Invitation has now been rescinded. We are looking into how it happened.' Refuses to answer further questions. pic.twitter.com/oR1QD9Q69C — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × "This story that an extreme, radical and convicted criminal being invited as part of Trudeau's entourage is very disturbing, very upsetting for Canadians. The judgement of our PM is being called into question as to why he would invite such an individual," Malcom told WION's Ramesh Ramachandran. "I don't think it's necessarily expected," Malcom said when she was asked about the alleged "cold shoulder" given to Trudeau. (The Indian government has refuted the allegation, saying it is not possible for the prime minister to accompany every visiting head of state.) "When our PM goes somewhere, it's expected that people get excited. But in India, his political activities in Canada are catching up with him and it's totally reasonable for the Indian government to have issues with the way that Trudeau is acting by having partisan political events with his Liberal Party that include Khalistani radicals and separatists that are causing problems in India," Malcolm added. Malcolm was asked why Trudeau might be reluctant to call out the Khalistani leaders on their separatism. "Canadians can express their own political views but as the PM, Trudeau has a higher responsibility and it's irresponsible for him to be pandering and seemingly associating with extremists and terrorists by going to events where he is pictured with so-called murderers or extremists and terrorists. This is very divisive and our PM should have better judgement and should stay away from those types of events," she answered. She also offered an answer as to why that might be the case, saying: "Justin Trudeau has a large Sikh constituency in Canada. He relies on Sikh votes, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Most Sikhs in Canada are not extremists, not terrorists. They don't believe in this idea of an independent Khalistan but some members do. And Trudeau doen's seem to have the right judgement in drawing that distinction. And it's not right for Canadians to get involved in other countries' internal politics. Canadians wouldn't like world leaders, say PM Modi, spending time and supporting Quebec separatists in our country. So we should have that respect for India and Trudeau and the Liberal Party should stay away from extremists like the Khalistani groups.

'Canadians surprised Trudeau's reception hasn't been welcoming'

<p>Canadian PM Justin Trudeau after meeting Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday cancelled an invitation to a convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal.</p>

<p>The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau&#39;s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light.</p>

<p>&quot;I can confirm that the High Commission is in the process of rescinding Mr Atwal&#39;s invitation,&quot; PMO spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said, as per the report.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed &amp; shot at Sidhu&#39;s car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a>, Source: CBC News) <a href="https://t.co/dqZpWEwgls">pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966509089277861888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, photographed with Jaspal Atwal at in Mumbai on 20 Feb. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group Int&#39;l Sikh Youth Federation, was invited for dinner with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> in Delhi, today (CBC News) <a href="https://t.co/cO3h3YcUUA">pic.twitter.com/cO3h3YcUUA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966506728799068160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Atwal has also been photographed with the Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi in Mumbai on February 20.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.</p>


Canadian PM Justin Trudeau after meeting Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday cancelled an invitation to a convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal. The invitation was cancelled after a photograph of Atwal posing with Trudeau's wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during a February-20 event organised in Mumbai came to light. "I can confirm that the High Commission is in the process of rescinding Mr Atwal's invitation," PMO spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said, as per the report. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986, he was one of four men who ambushed & shot at Sidhu's car. (Pic: Invite to Jaspal Atwal for dinner with Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau, Source: CBC News) pic.twitter.com/dqZpWEwgls — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, photographed with Jaspal Atwal at in Mumbai on 20 Feb. Atwal, a former member of banned terrorist group Int'l Sikh Youth Federation, was invited for dinner with #JustinTrudeau in Delhi, today (CBC News) pic.twitter.com/cO3h3YcUUA — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × Atwal has also been photographed with the Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi in Mumbai on February 20. Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. At the time of the 1986 shooting, he was a Sikh separatist active in the pro-Khalistan International Sikh Youth Federation. He and three others were convicted in 1987 of trying to kill Malkiat Singh Sidhu. Trudeau, who is in India on a week-long State visit, has been under pressure throughout his tour to answer Indian concerns about Sikh separatism in Canada.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancels dinner invite to convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal

<p>Canada&#39;s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck all the right notes while visiting Punjab on Wednesday, the most-watched leg of his seven-day India tour.</p>

<p>In a white kurta-pyjama, the visiting premier prayed at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple along with his family during an almost hour-long visit to the shrine. While monsieur wore a <em>patka</em> (head covering for men), madame covered her head with a <em>chunni</em> (head covering for women) for the visit.</p>

<p>The prime minister and his family also tried rolling out chapatis at the community kitchen (Langar hall) and greeted devotees with folded hands. Scores of visitors could be seen holding up their mobile phones to take pictures and videos of the Trudeaus.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Canadian PM Justin Trudeau &amp; his family members at the community kitchen inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar on Wednesday. (PTI)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>His visit to Punjab had triggered a controversy over reported links between key members of his cabinet and Sikh separatists, who want to carve out a part of India for their own mythical country. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had refused to meet Canadian Defence Minister Sajjan Singh last year, claiming that the latter was a vociferous supporter of Sikh separatism.</p>

<p>Today, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cm-amarinder-singh-brings-up-punjab-militancy-issue-with-canadian-pm-trudeau-33614">Trudeau met the chief minister</a> along with Sajjan Singh.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I met the Canadian PM for the first time, he is a very wonderful person. I raised issue of Khalistan as it&#39;s the primary issue, as there is money coming in from various countries including Canada to Punjab to create this ruckus. The PM is aware of it and he has told me that he is going to look into this,&rdquo; Amarinder Singh said after the meeting.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wish you a wonderful birthday Hadrein Trudeau on the 28th of this month. I&rsquo;ll think of you on that day. It has been a pleasure meeting all the three children of Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a>. <a href="https://t.co/wVo0v6Ydts">pic.twitter.com/wVo0v6Ydts</a></p>
&mdash; Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) <a href="https://twitter.com/capt_amarinder/status/966267484339716096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Adding fuel to the fire was the reported snub to Trudeau by the Indian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who often greets his counterparts on their arrival, sent a junior minister from the agriculture department to meet Trudeau at the airport. By contrast, Modi himself was on the tarmac to greet and bear-hug Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visited last month.</p>

<p>Trudeau&#39;s lukewarm reception, according to media reports, was due to India&#39;s concerns about his perceived soft approach to Sikh extremist groups in his country, and those that sympathise with them.</p>

<p><strong>Opinion: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-why-india-and-canada-need-to-look-beyond-khalistan-33599">Why India and Canada need to look beyond Khalistan</a></strong></p>

<p>However, Trudeau strongly rejected suggestions that Canada was encouraging Sikh extremism, saying Canada&#39;s position of supporting &quot;one united India&quot; had not changed. &quot;I have met with the prime minister in various places around the world and looking forward to sitting down with him on Friday,&quot; he said, dismissing reports that he had been snubbed by Modi.</p>

<p><strong>Also See: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/when-justin-trudeau-met-aamir-and-shah-rukh-khan-33565">When Justin Trudeau met Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan</a></strong></p>

<p>Whatever may be the outcome of those bilateral talks, the Trudeau family&rsquo;s huge popularity across the gamut of India&rsquo;s regular and social media will certainly linger in India&rsquo;s institutional memory for a long time to come.</p>


The prime minister and his family also tried rolling out chapatis at the community kitchen (Langar hall) and greeted devotees with folded hands.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck all the right notes while visiting Punjab on Wednesday, the most-watched leg of his seven-day India tour. In a white kurta-pyjama, the visiting premier prayed at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple along with his family during an almost hour-long visit to the shrine. While monsieur wore a patka (head covering for men), madame covered her head with a chunni (head covering for women) for the visit. The prime minister and his family also tried rolling out chapatis at the community kitchen (Langar hall) and greeted devotees with folded hands. Scores of visitors could be seen holding up their mobile phones to take pictures and videos of the Trudeaus. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau & his family members at the community kitchen inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar on Wednesday. (PTI) × His visit to Punjab had triggered a controversy over reported links between key members of his cabinet and Sikh separatists, who want to carve out a part of India for their own mythical country. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had refused to meet Canadian Defence Minister Sajjan Singh last year, claiming that the latter was a vociferous supporter of Sikh separatism. Today, Trudeau met the chief minister along with Sajjan Singh. “I met the Canadian PM for the first time, he is a very wonderful person. I raised issue of Khalistan as it's the primary issue, as there is money coming in from various countries including Canada to Punjab to create this ruckus. The PM is aware of it and he has told me that he is going to look into this,” Amarinder Singh said after the meeting. Wish you a wonderful birthday Hadrein Trudeau on the 28th of this month. I’ll think of you on that day. It has been a pleasure meeting all the three children of Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau. pic.twitter.com/wVo0v6Ydts — Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 21, 2018 × Adding fuel to the fire was the reported snub to Trudeau by the Indian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who often greets his counterparts on their arrival, sent a junior minister from the agriculture department to meet Trudeau at the airport. By contrast, Modi himself was on the tarmac to greet and bear-hug Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visited last month. Trudeau's lukewarm reception, according to media reports, was due to India's concerns about his perceived soft approach to Sikh extremist groups in his country, and those that sympathise with them. Opinion: Why India and Canada need to look beyond Khalistan However, Trudeau strongly rejected suggestions that Canada was encouraging Sikh extremism, saying Canada's position of supporting "one united India" had not changed. "I have met with the prime minister in various places around the world and looking forward to sitting down with him on Friday," he said, dismissing reports that he had been snubbed by Modi. Also See: When Justin Trudeau met Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan Whatever may be the outcome of those bilateral talks, the Trudeau family’s huge popularity across the gamut of India’s regular and social media will certainly linger in India’s institutional memory for a long time to come.

Justin Trudeau charms Punjab in most-watched leg of his India tour

<p>India and Canada had historically enjoyed good relationships. On 15th August 1947, when India got Independence, many shop owners in Canada displayed banners on their establishments to celebrate this. Over the years, Canada became one of the biggest hubs of Indian community abroad, particularly the Punjabis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, on 18th May 2017, when Mr Tejinder Singh Dhillon, a retired CRPF officer reached Vancouver Airport along with his wife, he was stopped by the immigration officials on the pretext that he belongs to a country which has indulged in &ldquo;Terrorism, Systematic or gross human rights violation, or Genocide&rdquo;. This diatribe was targeted towards suppression of the Khalistan movement by the Indian Government. Both were interrogated for over 12 hours by junior officials who used derogatory language and, finally, told them to leave the country even after a friend and ruling Liberal Party politician Surender Purewal intervened. This was an unexpected move but the seeds were sown much earlier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In November 2015, when the Liberal Party government under&nbsp; Juatin Trudeau took over, he appointed four hardliner Sikh as ministers in the government, which included Harjit Singh Sajjan as Defence Minister and Amarjit Sohi as Minister of Infrastructure. All four of these ministers have been known to be sympathetic to the Khalistan movement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another incident made the pro-Khalistan sentiment of the current government further evident when on 30th April 2017, PM Trudeau attended a Khalsa Day Celebration in Toronto where Khalistan Flags were openly hoisted and banners with photographs of known terrorists like Bhindrawale were displayed. Not only this, in the event, Mr Trudeau even felicitated some of the people who were known as notorious Khalistan supporters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s reaction is obvious. No country will accept that its perpetrators are felicitated by the head of state of another PM and the effect is seen over the visit of Mr Trudeau to India. Unlike his hug diplomacy, Mr Modi did not break the protocol and went to receive him at the tarmac. None of the senior ministers were also present and the minister sent to receive him was Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer&rsquo;s Welfare. Protocol-wise he is much junior to receive the head of state of a country like Canada.&nbsp; The second message was indirectly conveyed when he visited Taj Mahal at Agra and the visit was totally ignored by Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath. And further to add, none of the ministers is accompanying him during his Gujarat Visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in April 2017, when Harjit Singh Sajjan, the Defence Minister of Canada visited India and then to his hometown in Hoshiarpur, he was not accompanied by any central or state minister. It was widely accepted that this was not liked by the Punjab CM Amarinder Singh who had been openly accusing the ministers in Trudeau cabinet for their wholehearted support to Khalistan separatists. The Canadian reaction was also immediate when Amarinder Singh was denied meeting with Punjabis in Toronto and Vancouver.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>India wants to convey its message loud and clear, we would not like you to harbour the elements deemed dangerous for the sovereignty of the nation. Canada and Punjab in India had been inseparable for so many decades. More than 3.5% of the Canadian population comes from Punjab and, over the last so many decades, Punjabis have contributed significantly to the development of the North American country. Their role in the future of Canada is also clearly visible to the global community and this is the reason that despite all odds, Trudeau visited India to take the first step towards re-defining the relationship.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the countries have a long way to go especially in the fields of nuclear energy, bilateral trade which is still hovering around 6-7 Billion US $ annually. There is a large scope in the field of bilateral cooperation in defence, agriculture, industries, IT and renewable energy on which both countries can mutually progress. Khalistan had been an issue of the past and claimed more than 21,000 lives. This needs to be buried forever which can be done by the strong will of both the leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On one hand, while Trudeau needs to curb the anti-India and pro-Khalistan activities in his regime, Modi also must understand the might of Punjabi community settled in Canada. Petty incidents like the ones mentioned above can sometimes derail the process and it is the responsibility of both leaders to get this moving.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


While Trudeau needs to curb the anti-India and pro-Khalistan activities in his regime, Modi also must understand the might of Punjabi community settled in Canada.

India and Canada had historically enjoyed good relationships. On 15th August 1947, when India got Independence, many shop owners in Canada displayed banners on their establishments to celebrate this. Over the years, Canada became one of the biggest hubs of Indian community abroad, particularly the Punjabis. However, on 18th May 2017, when Mr Tejinder Singh Dhillon, a retired CRPF officer reached Vancouver Airport along with his wife, he was stopped by the immigration officials on the pretext that he belongs to a country which has indulged in “Terrorism, Systematic or gross human rights violation, or Genocide”. This diatribe was targeted towards suppression of the Khalistan movement by the Indian Government. Both were interrogated for over 12 hours by junior officials who used derogatory language and, finally, told them to leave the country even after a friend and ruling Liberal Party politician Surender Purewal intervened. This was an unexpected move but the seeds were sown much earlier. In November 2015, when the Liberal Party government under Juatin Trudeau took over, he appointed four hardliner Sikh as ministers in the government, which included Harjit Singh Sajjan as Defence Minister and Amarjit Sohi as Minister of Infrastructure. All four of these ministers have been known to be sympathetic to the Khalistan movement. Another incident made the pro-Khalistan sentiment of the current government further evident when on 30th April 2017, PM Trudeau attended a Khalsa Day Celebration in Toronto where Khalistan Flags were openly hoisted and banners with photographs of known terrorists like Bhindrawale were displayed. Not only this, in the event, Mr Trudeau even felicitated some of the people who were known as notorious Khalistan supporters. India’s reaction is obvious. No country will accept that its perpetrators are felicitated by the head of state of another PM and the effect is seen over the visit of Mr Trudeau to India. Unlike his hug diplomacy, Mr Modi did not break the protocol and went to receive him at the tarmac. None of the senior ministers were also present and the minister sent to receive him was Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare. Protocol-wise he is much junior to receive the head of state of a country like Canada. The second message was indirectly conveyed when he visited Taj Mahal at Agra and the visit was totally ignored by Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath. And further to add, none of the ministers is accompanying him during his Gujarat Visit. Earlier in April 2017, when Harjit Singh Sajjan, the Defence Minister of Canada visited India and then to his hometown in Hoshiarpur, he was not accompanied by any central or state minister. It was widely accepted that this was not liked by the Punjab CM Amarinder Singh who had been openly accusing the ministers in Trudeau cabinet for their wholehearted support to Khalistan separatists. The Canadian reaction was also immediate when Amarinder Singh was denied meeting with Punjabis in Toronto and Vancouver. India wants to convey its message loud and clear, we would not like you to harbour the elements deemed dangerous for the sovereignty of the nation. Canada and Punjab in India had been inseparable for so many decades. More than 3.5% of the Canadian population comes from Punjab and, over the last so many decades, Punjabis have contributed significantly to the development of the North American country. Their role in the future of Canada is also clearly visible to the global community and this is the reason that despite all odds, Trudeau visited India to take the first step towards re-defining the relationship. Both the countries have a long way to go especially in the fields of nuclear energy, bilateral trade which is still hovering around 6-7 Billion US $ annually. There is a large scope in the field of bilateral cooperation in defence, agriculture, industries, IT and renewable energy on which both countries can mutually progress. Khalistan had been an issue of the past and claimed more than 21,000 lives. This needs to be buried forever which can be done by the strong will of both the leaders. On one hand, while Trudeau needs to curb the anti-India and pro-Khalistan activities in his regime, Modi also must understand the might of Punjabi community settled in Canada. Petty incidents like the ones mentioned above can sometimes derail the process and it is the responsibility of both leaders to get this moving. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why India and Canada need to look beyond Khalistan

<p>How can you be in Mumbai and not get a brush of Bollywood? Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met some of Bollywood&#39;s prominent faces at an event in Mumbai&#39;s Taj Palace on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The PM was accompanied by his wife &nbsp;Sophie and kids, Xavier and Ella. The couple&#39;s youngest son Hadrien was not seen at the event.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Dressed in a gold sherwani Trudeau greeted and posed with the likes Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Anupam Kher at the occasion. His wife Sophie wore a cream colour saree while his children were seen wearing kurta-pajama.</p>

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<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gr&eacute;goire, daughter Ella-Grace Margaret, son Xavier James pose for a photograph with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI)</p>
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<p>The Canadian Prime Minister on Tuesday met top business leaders and Bollywood celebrities in Mumbai during his week-long visit to India. &nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfbZ1BUhrQB/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Was an honour and a pleasure to meet the Hon. Prime Minister of Canada, @justinpjtrudeau &amp; his lovely wife, Sophie. His leadership in the discourse for ending gender discrimination serves as constant inspiration to us all. Thank you to the Respected High Commissioner for Canada to India, for the invite.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/faroutakhtar/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Farhan Akhtar</a> (@faroutakhtar) on <time datetime="2018-02-20T18:14:39+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 20, 2018 at 10:14am PST</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfbOxvwngkd/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">It was such a pleasure to meet the Canadian Prime Minister @justinpjtrudeau and his family. What a charming and great conversationalist he is. Talked about people, culture and of course cinema.:) #Canada #India #lndianCinema #BendItLikeBeckham #SilverLiningsPlaybook</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anupampkher/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Anupam Kher</a> (@anupampkher) on <time datetime="2018-02-20T16:38:05+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 20, 2018 at 8:38am PST</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfcCn82DgiK/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">‪@justinpjtrudeau such a pleasure and honour meeting you sir. Your relatability, grace and charm was most endearing and its easy to see why you are the Pride and toast of Canada.Have a lovely rest of the tour.????????‬</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/actormaddy/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> R. Madhavan</a> (@actormaddy) on <time datetime="2018-02-21T00:11:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 20, 2018 at 4:11pm PST</time></p>
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<p>The Trudeau family has already visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Trudeau is scheduled to meet PM Modi on February 23.&nbsp;</p>


The Khans played host to Candian PM and his family on Tuesday night.

How can you be in Mumbai and not get a brush of Bollywood? Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met some of Bollywood's prominent faces at an event in Mumbai's Taj Palace on Tuesday. The PM was accompanied by his wife Sophie and kids, Xavier and Ella. The couple's youngest son Hadrien was not seen at the event. Dressed in a gold sherwani Trudeau greeted and posed with the likes Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Anupam Kher at the occasion. His wife Sophie wore a cream colour saree while his children were seen wearing kurta-pajama. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Grégoire, daughter Ella-Grace Margaret, son Xavier James pose for a photograph with Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI) × The Canadian Prime Minister on Tuesday met top business leaders and Bollywood celebrities in Mumbai during his week-long visit to India. Was an honour and a pleasure to meet the Hon. Prime Minister of Canada, @justinpjtrudeau & his lovely wife, Sophie. His leadership in the discourse for ending gender discrimination serves as constant inspiration to us all. Thank you to the Respected High Commissioner for Canada to India, for the invite. A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Feb 20, 2018 at 10:14am PST × It was such a pleasure to meet the Canadian Prime Minister @justinpjtrudeau and his family. What a charming and great conversationalist he is. Talked about people, culture and of course cinema.:) #Canada #India #lndianCinema #BendItLikeBeckham #SilverLiningsPlaybook A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:38am PST × ‪@justinpjtrudeau such a pleasure and honour meeting you sir. Your relatability, grace and charm was most endearing and its easy to see why you are the Pride and toast of Canada.Have a lovely rest of the tour.????????‬ A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy) on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:11pm PST × The Trudeau family has already visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Trudeau is scheduled to meet PM Modi on February 23.

In pictures: When Justin Trudeau met Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-scam-pnb-transfers-nearly-18000-employees-after-cvc-rap-33622">Post-scam, PNB transfers nearly 18,000 employees after CVC rap</a></p>

<p>More than 18 thousand employees of Punjab National Bank have been transferred in under one week as per Central Vigilance Commission&#39;s directive. CVC&#39;s order comes in the wake of the ongoing investigations in the Rs 11,400 crore PNB scam involving Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi among others.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-get-its-first-ever-dalit-woman-senator-33628">Pakistan to get its first-ever Dalit woman senator</a></p>

<p>Kirshna Kumari Kolhi from Thar in Pakistan&#39;s Sindh province will become the first-ever Hindu woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the ruling Pakistan People&#39;s Party said today. The Election Commission of Pakistan has accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly. The election will take place on March 3.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-is-a-second-kalam-posters-hit-the-streets-in-madurai-33619">Ignited Minds: &#39;Kamal is a second Kalam&#39; posters hit Madurai streets</a></p>

<p>Kamal Haasan, 62, is all set to announce his political party in Madurai today. &quot;I will start my rally from Rameswaram and will announce party flag and ideology in Madurai. All are invited,&quot; the actor was quoted as saying ahead of his trip to Madurai on Tuesday. He picked Madurai as it is the cultural and political capital of the state. Hassan said that he will address the crowd in his hometown in Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram and in Sivaganga on the way.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-helicopter-flies-close-to-poonch-along-loc-no-firing-action-reported-33623">Pak helicopter flies close to Poonch along LoC, no firing action reported</a></p>

<p>Indian Army sources said today that a Pakistan military helicopter came close to the Line of Control(LoC) and then returned. The chopper apparently flew near the Poonch area in J&amp;K which has seen several firing incidents by Pak troops across the border.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/justin-trudeau-charms-punjab-in-most-watched-leg-of-his-india-tour-33630">Justin Trudeau charms Punjab in most-watched leg of his India tour</a></p>

<p>Canada&#39;s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck all the right notes while visiting Punjab on Wednesday, the most-watched leg of his seven-day India tour. In a white kurta-pyjama, the visiting premier prayed at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple along with his family during an almost hour-long visit to the shrine. While monsieur wore a patka (head covering for men), madame covered her head with a chunni (head covering for women) for the visit.</p>


Post-scam, PNB transfers nearly 18,000 employees after CVC rap More than 18 thousand employees of Punjab National Bank have been transferred in under one week as per Central Vigilance Commission's directive. CVC's order comes in the wake of the ongoing investigations in the Rs 11,400 crore PNB scam involving Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi among others. Pakistan to get its first-ever Dalit woman senator Kirshna Kumari Kolhi from Thar in Pakistan's Sindh province will become the first-ever Hindu woman Senator in the Muslim-majority country, the ruling Pakistan People's Party said today. The Election Commission of Pakistan has accepted the papers of 39-year-old Kolhi who was nominated by the ruling PPP for a Senate seat on minority from Sindh Assembly. The election will take place on March 3. Ignited Minds: 'Kamal is a second Kalam' posters hit Madurai streets Kamal Haasan, 62, is all set to announce his political party in Madurai today. "I will start my rally from Rameswaram and will announce party flag and ideology in Madurai. All are invited," the actor was quoted as saying ahead of his trip to Madurai on Tuesday. He picked Madurai as it is the cultural and political capital of the state. Hassan said that he will address the crowd in his hometown in Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram and in Sivaganga on the way. Pak helicopter flies close to Poonch along LoC, no firing action reported Indian Army sources said today that a Pakistan military helicopter came close to the Line of Control(LoC) and then returned. The chopper apparently flew near the Poonch area in J&K which has seen several firing incidents by Pak troops across the border. Justin Trudeau charms Punjab in most-watched leg of his India tour Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck all the right notes while visiting Punjab on Wednesday, the most-watched leg of his seven-day India tour. In a white kurta-pyjama, the visiting premier prayed at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple along with his family during an almost hour-long visit to the shrine. While monsieur wore a patka (head covering for men), madame covered her head with a chunni (head covering for women) for the visit.

WION Evening News brief, February 21, 2018

<p>Ending long-standing uncertainty and speculation, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Monday that he would discuss business as well as people to people ties with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Amritsar on February 21, officials said.</p>

<p>The chief minister tweeted:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Look forward to meeting Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> in Amritsar on Wednesday. I&rsquo;m hopeful that this meeting will help strengthen the close Indo-Canadian business ties as well as the deep-rooted people-to-people relations between our two countries.</p>
&mdash; Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) <a href="https://twitter.com/capt_amarinder/status/965558624037851136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development came following uncertainty over whether the Canadian premier would hold a meeting with Amarinder Singh during his short visit to Amritsar on February 21.</p>

<p>Officials said that the chief minister would hold a meeting with the Canadian prime minister at a hotel in Amritsar after Trudeau pays obeisance at the Golden Temple.</p>

<p>Significantly, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had refused to meet Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan during the latter&#39;s visit to Punjab last year. Amarinder Singh had even accused Sajjan of being a &quot;Khalistani sympathiser&quot;.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canada-seems-to-think-india-is-snubbing-trudeau-govt-says-no-33354">Canada seems to think India is snubbing Trudeau, govt says no</a></p>

<p>In 2016, when Amarinder Singh was the Punjab Congress chief, he had written a strongly-worded letter to the Canadian prime minister, lodging a protest on being denied permission for interaction with Punjabi NRIs in Canada in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls.</p>

<p>Amarinder Singh had called it a &quot;gag order&quot;.</p>

<p>However, Amarinder Singh has now directed the state administration to roll out the red carpet for Trudeau.</p>

<p>While trade and business will be the key focus areas at the meeting, the two leaders are also expected to discuss steps to intensify the close relations between the people of the two countries, according to a spokesperson of the chief minister&#39;s office (CMO).</p>

<p>&quot;Punjab has deep roots with Canada, where a large Punjabi community is settled, and has always striven to strengthen the connect,&quot; said Amarinder Singh.</p>

<p>He also referred to Trudeau&#39;s apology, two years ago, in the Canadian parliament over the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, in which hundreds of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers in a ship were denied entry in to Canada and forced to return to India, where they met a violent fate.</p>

<p>At an AICC briefing in New Delhi, Congress leader Manish Tewari, however, pointed out that there was sensitive issues involved.</p>

<p>&quot;There are sensitivities involved in Punjab. Some of those responsible for terror in Punjab are still finding solace in the country, which Trudeau heads,&quot; he told reporters.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the opposition SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is expected to welcome the Canadian prime minister at the Golden Temple.</p>

<p>&quot;Sukhbir Badal will welcome the Canadian PM at the Golden Temple. He will honour Trudeau as party president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD),&quot; said SAD spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema.</p>

<p>The Canadian premier is on a week-long visit to India accompanied by wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and three children -- Ella-Grace, Xavier and Hadrien.</p>

<p>On February 21, Trudeau will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines and is also expected to visit the partition museum, officials said.</p>

<p>Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and a senior district police officer will receive Trudeau at the airport on February 21, officials said.</p>

<p>The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has planned a special event in the honour of Trudeau when he visits the Golden Temple.</p>

<p>SGPC, an apex religious body of the Sikhs, will honour Trudeau by presenting him a Siropa (robe of honour), replica of the Golden Temple and a sword, an SGPC official said.&nbsp;</p>


The Punjab chief minister said that he would discuss business as well as people to people ties with the Canadian prime minister

Ending long-standing uncertainty and speculation, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Monday that he would discuss business as well as people to people ties with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Amritsar on February 21, officials said. The chief minister tweeted: Look forward to meeting Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau in Amritsar on Wednesday. I’m hopeful that this meeting will help strengthen the close Indo-Canadian business ties as well as the deep-rooted people-to-people relations between our two countries. — Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) February 19, 2018 × The development came following uncertainty over whether the Canadian premier would hold a meeting with Amarinder Singh during his short visit to Amritsar on February 21. Officials said that the chief minister would hold a meeting with the Canadian prime minister at a hotel in Amritsar after Trudeau pays obeisance at the Golden Temple. Significantly, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had refused to meet Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan during the latter's visit to Punjab last year. Amarinder Singh had even accused Sajjan of being a "Khalistani sympathiser". Also read: Canada seems to think India is snubbing Trudeau, govt says no In 2016, when Amarinder Singh was the Punjab Congress chief, he had written a strongly-worded letter to the Canadian prime minister, lodging a protest on being denied permission for interaction with Punjabi NRIs in Canada in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls. Amarinder Singh had called it a "gag order". However, Amarinder Singh has now directed the state administration to roll out the red carpet for Trudeau. While trade and business will be the key focus areas at the meeting, the two leaders are also expected to discuss steps to intensify the close relations between the people of the two countries, according to a spokesperson of the chief minister's office (CMO). "Punjab has deep roots with Canada, where a large Punjabi community is settled, and has always striven to strengthen the connect," said Amarinder Singh. He also referred to Trudeau's apology, two years ago, in the Canadian parliament over the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, in which hundreds of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers in a ship were denied entry in to Canada and forced to return to India, where they met a violent fate. At an AICC briefing in New Delhi, Congress leader Manish Tewari, however, pointed out that there was sensitive issues involved. "There are sensitivities involved in Punjab. Some of those responsible for terror in Punjab are still finding solace in the country, which Trudeau heads," he told reporters. Meanwhile, the opposition SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is expected to welcome the Canadian prime minister at the Golden Temple. "Sukhbir Badal will welcome the Canadian PM at the Golden Temple. He will honour Trudeau as party president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)," said SAD spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema. The Canadian premier is on a week-long visit to India accompanied by wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and three children -- Ella-Grace, Xavier and Hadrien. On February 21, Trudeau will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines and is also expected to visit the partition museum, officials said. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and a senior district police officer will receive Trudeau at the airport on February 21, officials said. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has planned a special event in the honour of Trudeau when he visits the Golden Temple. SGPC, an apex religious body of the Sikhs, will honour Trudeau by presenting him a Siropa (robe of honour), replica of the Golden Temple and a sword, an SGPC official said.

Amarinder Singh to meet Justin Trudeau in Amritsar on Wednesday

<p>Justin Trudeau is in India on a seven-day state visit but nobody will blame you if you haven&#39;t yet noticed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Canadian Prime Minister flew into India with his wife and three children on Saturday and he has a fairly bulky -- if light on substance -- itinerary but the very popular Trudeau has been little more than a blip on the Indian media scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, Trudeau did all the things one usually does in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He visited Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s Sabarmati Ashram, the Akshardham Temple, and will at 3 pm participate in an armchair discussion on education and investment opportunities at the Indian Institute of Management.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Candian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> along with his wife Sophie and children Xavier, Hadrien &amp; Ella-Grace at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. <a href="https://t.co/GfuuuCUZ7t">pic.twitter.com/GfuuuCUZ7t</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965469168345763840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Sunday, the Trudeau family had visited the Taj Mahal:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was about Xav&#39;s age when I first visited the Taj Mahal almost 35 years ago... and it&#39;s amazing to be back with him &amp; the family on Day 1 of our trip to India. <a href="https://t.co/EN6VnkYBU2">pic.twitter.com/EN6VnkYBU2</a></p>
&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/965241885903040512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Which is all well and good -- these are the sort of things visiting state leaders usually do. The only difference is they are usually closely accompanied by an Indian bigwig.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Remember Modi and Netanyahu?&nbsp;Even Modi and China&#39;s Xi, sitting on a jhoola in Ahmedabad?&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Modi and Xi in Ahmedabad. (Twitter)</p>
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<p>Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/can-trudeau-and-modi-hit-it-off-trudeau-family-shares-modis-passion-for-yoga-8453" target="_blank">Can Trudeau and Modi hit it off?</a></p>

<p>When Netanyahu visited the Taj, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had shown him around the eternal monument to love.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had also received Netanyahu personally at the airport. He was of course only returning the favour; the Israeli PM had done the same for Modi when he visited Israel in July 2017.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When Trudeau arrived in Delhi however, he was met by minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The message is clear at the airport : India sent minister of state for agriculture to invite Trudeau . That&rsquo;s like a parl sec in Canada ! Don&rsquo;t think anyone so junior ever been sent to ANY foreign leader ! Wow. That&rsquo;s how bad Canada -India relations are now . <a href="https://t.co/kIOQILcRNk">pic.twitter.com/kIOQILcRNk</a></p>
&mdash; Vijay Sappani (@VJsapps) <a href="https://twitter.com/VJsapps/status/964885451197722625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>News outlets have been quick to pick up the &quot;snub&quot;, blaming it on Trudeau appointing Canadian Sikh leaders with links to the separatist Khalistan movement to his cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau has reportedly also said the Sikh leaders are entitled to support independence for Khalistan.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On official state visits to India, PM Modi personally greets and welcomes the Israeli PM, UAE Crown Prince and US President. For PM Trudeau, he sends a low-ranking official. &ldquo;Canada is back&rdquo; <a href="https://t.co/ezsMtFTPzr">pic.twitter.com/ezsMtFTPzr</a></p>
&mdash; Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) <a href="https://twitter.com/CandiceMalcolm/status/964970680142897152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The government however has been quick to deny the reports of a snub, with news reports quoting sources in the government as saying the prime minister cannot possibly personally accompany every single visiting head of state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
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News reports quoted sources in the government as saying Prime Minister Modi cannot personally accompany every visiting head of state

Justin Trudeau is in India on a seven-day state visit but nobody will blame you if you haven't yet noticed. The Canadian Prime Minister flew into India with his wife and three children on Saturday and he has a fairly bulky -- if light on substance -- itinerary but the very popular Trudeau has been little more than a blip on the Indian media scene. On Monday, Trudeau did all the things one usually does in Ahmedabad. He visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, the Akshardham Temple, and will at 3 pm participate in an armchair discussion on education and investment opportunities at the Indian Institute of Management. Candian PM #JustinTrudeau along with his wife Sophie and children Xavier, Hadrien & Ella-Grace at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/GfuuuCUZ7t — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × On Sunday, the Trudeau family had visited the Taj Mahal: I was about Xav's age when I first visited the Taj Mahal almost 35 years ago... and it's amazing to be back with him & the family on Day 1 of our trip to India. pic.twitter.com/EN6VnkYBU2 — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 18, 2018 × Which is all well and good -- these are the sort of things visiting state leaders usually do. The only difference is they are usually closely accompanied by an Indian bigwig. Remember Modi and Netanyahu? Even Modi and China's Xi, sitting on a jhoola in Ahmedabad? Modi and Xi in Ahmedabad. (Twitter) × Also watch: Can Trudeau and Modi hit it off? When Netanyahu visited the Taj, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had shown him around the eternal monument to love. Modi had also received Netanyahu personally at the airport. He was of course only returning the favour; the Israeli PM had done the same for Modi when he visited Israel in July 2017. When Trudeau arrived in Delhi however, he was met by minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The message is clear at the airport : India sent minister of state for agriculture to invite Trudeau . That’s like a parl sec in Canada ! Don’t think anyone so junior ever been sent to ANY foreign leader ! Wow. That’s how bad Canada -India relations are now . pic.twitter.com/kIOQILcRNk — Vijay Sappani (@VJsapps) February 17, 2018 × News outlets have been quick to pick up the "snub", blaming it on Trudeau appointing Canadian Sikh leaders with links to the separatist Khalistan movement to his cabinet. Trudeau has reportedly also said the Sikh leaders are entitled to support independence for Khalistan. On official state visits to India, PM Modi personally greets and welcomes the Israeli PM, UAE Crown Prince and US President. For PM Trudeau, he sends a low-ranking official. “Canada is back” pic.twitter.com/ezsMtFTPzr — Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) February 17, 2018 × The government however has been quick to deny the reports of a snub, with news reports quoting sources in the government as saying the prime minister cannot possibly personally accompany every single visiting head of state.

Canada seems to think India is snubbing Trudeau, govt says no

<p>While speaking at a question-answer&nbsp;session in IIM Ahmedabad, Gujarat,&nbsp;Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended questions on gender equality, bilateral ties, NAFTA, Canada&#39;s immigration system and his relations with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau said that there was a huge potential for growth in trade relations between India and Canada than compared to America.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said Canada and India already trade over $ 8 billion in goods and $ 2 billion in services.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking about his entry into politics, Trudeau said&nbsp;&quot; Citizens are not fools. Citizens can tell whether someone is genuine in their approach or just trying to live up to some lofty familial expectation.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Citizens are not fools. Citizens can tell whether someone is genuine in their approach or just trying to live up to some lofty familial expectation: Canadian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> at IIM Ahmedabad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/5BgYWVFHsy">pic.twitter.com/5BgYWVFHsy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965528974507077632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to the gender parity in his cabinet he said: &quot;gender balance in terms of&nbsp;opportunities is not the right thing to&nbsp;do but a smart thing to do in terms of growth&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said one can become a feminist if he/she believes in equal opportunities between men and women.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Any comments about how a man looks isn&#39;t even an eyelash worth of the systemic discrimination women face. As a man in business &amp; politics I had lots of advantage but I didn&#39;t go near discrimination, sexism, superficiality &amp; judgement that women go through daily: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> <a href="https://t.co/dTj02qRFl4">pic.twitter.com/dTj02qRFl4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965537594791682049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speaking on his similarity with US President Donald Trump he said they both were working towards the upliftment of middle class in their countries and that their policies worked well for the economy of the two countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Immigration policies, he said that the countries should welcome the refugees who flee their countries to evade persecution.</p>

<p>He said &quot;More countries need to do more to welcome immigrants not because that is the right thing to do, because refugees who flee the persecution in their country for a better life in another, are extremely grateful to the country that welcomes them. They work very hard and contribute tremendously to the growth of the country that welcomed them. That is the Canadian story.&quot;</p>

<p>Referring to the importance&nbsp;of democratic independent media he said: &quot;the media is &#39;frustrating&#39; at times but it&#39;s essential to empower and support media as It fulfils an important duty of telling the government&nbsp;what it&rsquo;s doing wrong&quot;.</p>

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on a seven-day visit to India. He arrived here along with his wife and three children.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canada-seems-to-think-india-is-snubbing-trudeau-govt-says-no-33354" target="_blank">Trudeau on Monday visited</a> Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham Temple, and&nbsp;Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He is scheduled to meet the chief minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh on February 21.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> to meet Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on February 21 in Amritsar <a href="https://t.co/xsykDQFyPE">pic.twitter.com/xsykDQFyPE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965559599788167169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Trudeau said that there was a huge potential for growth in trade relations between India and Canada than compared to America

While speaking at a question-answer session in IIM Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended questions on gender equality, bilateral ties, NAFTA, Canada's immigration system and his relations with US President Donald Trump. Trudeau said that there was a huge potential for growth in trade relations between India and Canada than compared to America. He said Canada and India already trade over $ 8 billion in goods and $ 2 billion in services. Talking about his entry into politics, Trudeau said " Citizens are not fools. Citizens can tell whether someone is genuine in their approach or just trying to live up to some lofty familial expectation." Citizens are not fools. Citizens can tell whether someone is genuine in their approach or just trying to live up to some lofty familial expectation: Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau at IIM Ahmedabad #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/5BgYWVFHsy — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Referring to the gender parity in his cabinet he said: "gender balance in terms of opportunities is not the right thing to do but a smart thing to do in terms of growth". He said one can become a feminist if he/she believes in equal opportunities between men and women. Any comments about how a man looks isn't even an eyelash worth of the systemic discrimination women face. As a man in business & politics I had lots of advantage but I didn't go near discrimination, sexism, superficiality & judgement that women go through daily: #JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/dTj02qRFl4 — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Speaking on his similarity with US President Donald Trump he said they both were working towards the upliftment of middle class in their countries and that their policies worked well for the economy of the two countries. On Immigration policies, he said that the countries should welcome the refugees who flee their countries to evade persecution. He said "More countries need to do more to welcome immigrants not because that is the right thing to do, because refugees who flee the persecution in their country for a better life in another, are extremely grateful to the country that welcomes them. They work very hard and contribute tremendously to the growth of the country that welcomed them. That is the Canadian story." Referring to the importance of democratic independent media he said: "the media is 'frustrating' at times but it's essential to empower and support media as It fulfils an important duty of telling the government what it’s doing wrong". Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on a seven-day visit to India. He arrived here along with his wife and three children. Trudeau on Monday visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham Temple, and Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He is scheduled to meet the chief minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh on February 21. Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau to meet Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on February 21 in Amritsar pic.twitter.com/xsykDQFyPE — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 ×

Huge potential for growth in trade relations between India and Canada: Justin Trudeau at IIM Ahmedabad

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the world-famous Taj Mahal here on Sunday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM of Canada <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a>, along with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and children Xavier, Ella-Grace &amp; Hadrien at Taj Mahal in Agra. <a href="https://t.co/DqnxoTqfni">pic.twitter.com/DqnxoTqfni</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/965119793861931008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trudeau was accompanied along with his wife Sophie Gregoire and his three children, Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a>, along with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, and kids Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien, visits Agra&#39;s Taj Mahal. <a href="https://t.co/4vUmxf1gx6">pic.twitter.com/4vUmxf1gx6</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/965096215238062080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Many foreign dignitaries have visited the Taj Mahal in the past few years.</p>

<p>The Taj Mahal, located along the Yamuna river, was built by Shah Jahan, a 17th-century Mughal ruler for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to her fourteenth child.</p>

<p>It is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, having a combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic influences.</p>

<p>The structure of the monument is built entirely with white marble, studded with semi-precious stones and is inscribed with verses of Quran. It is surrounded by four minarets.</p>

<p>It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.</p>

<p>The Canadian Prime Minister, who arrived in India on Saturday, is on a week-long state visit to the country.</p>

<p>After visiting the Taj Mahal, he will proceed to Mathura, where he will visit the Wild Life Century (Elephant Conservation Center).</p>

<p>The sanctuary will remain shut for around two hours to the public, owing to Trudeau&#39;s visit.</p>

<p>The week-long state visit to India, which includes stops in Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, will provide an opportunity for Trudeau to connect with the Indian leaders in government and business, promote empowerment of women and girls, and strengthen Canada and India&#39;s close economic ties.</p>

<p>The Indian and Canadian sides will reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries and discuss ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation.</p>

<p>Trudeau will also participate in several business roundtables to promote further trade and investment between Canada and India.</p>

<p>Canada will work closely with the Indian leaders to advance their economic opportunities in both countries respectively.</p>


Many foreign dignitaries have visited the Taj Mahal in the past few years

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the world-famous Taj Mahal here on Sunday. #WATCH: PM of Canada #JustinTrudeau, along with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and children Xavier, Ella-Grace & Hadrien at Taj Mahal in Agra. pic.twitter.com/DqnxoTqfni — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 18, 2018 × Trudeau was accompanied along with his wife Sophie Gregoire and his three children, Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau, along with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, and kids Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien, visits Agra's Taj Mahal. pic.twitter.com/4vUmxf1gx6 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 18, 2018 × Many foreign dignitaries have visited the Taj Mahal in the past few years. The Taj Mahal, located along the Yamuna river, was built by Shah Jahan, a 17th-century Mughal ruler for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to her fourteenth child. It is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, having a combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. The structure of the monument is built entirely with white marble, studded with semi-precious stones and is inscribed with verses of Quran. It is surrounded by four minarets. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. The Canadian Prime Minister, who arrived in India on Saturday, is on a week-long state visit to the country. After visiting the Taj Mahal, he will proceed to Mathura, where he will visit the Wild Life Century (Elephant Conservation Center). The sanctuary will remain shut for around two hours to the public, owing to Trudeau's visit. The week-long state visit to India, which includes stops in Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, will provide an opportunity for Trudeau to connect with the Indian leaders in government and business, promote empowerment of women and girls, and strengthen Canada and India's close economic ties. The Indian and Canadian sides will reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries and discuss ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation. Trudeau will also participate in several business roundtables to promote further trade and investment between Canada and India. Canada will work closely with the Indian leaders to advance their economic opportunities in both countries respectively.

Watch: 'Thank you... one of the most beautiful places in the world,' says Justin Trudeau at Taj Mahal

<p>Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in India on Saturday for his seven day trip to the country.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Delhi with his family for a week-long visit to India <a href="https://t.co/swiAyKZHMN">pic.twitter.com/swiAyKZHMN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964865200619950080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The 46-year-old Canada PM is also accompanied by his family.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Before marking his trip Trudeau took to Twitter to disclose his plans for the&nbsp;visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He tweeted &quot;Wheels up for India and a busy visit, focused on creating good jobs and strengthening the deep connection between the people of our two countries&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wheels up for India and a busy visit, focused on creating good jobs and strengthening the deep connection between the people of our two countries. ???????????????? <a href="https://t.co/Jg6UmL9y4S">pic.twitter.com/Jg6UmL9y4S</a></p>
&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/964552997370871808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The&nbsp;trip aims at boosting strategic ties including the creation of jobs and developing cordial relations between the two countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau&nbsp;will also be accompanied by his cabinet colleagues including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, Science and Sports Minister Kirsty Duncan and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All packed up and ready to go! Looking forward to the week ahead in India with <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> and my colleagues, promoting Canada as a great place to do business and deepen the strong ties between our two countries. Wheels up! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ZtskKUDc1">pic.twitter.com/2ZtskKUDc1</a></p>
&mdash; Navdeep Bains (@NavdeepSBains) <a href="https://twitter.com/NavdeepSBains/status/964549006373408768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He is the second youngest prime minister in Canada.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The trip aims at boosting strategic ties including the creation of jobs and developing cordial relations between the two countries

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in India on Saturday for his seven day trip to the country. #WATCH Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Delhi with his family for a week-long visit to India pic.twitter.com/swiAyKZHMN — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × The 46-year-old Canada PM is also accompanied by his family. × Before marking his trip Trudeau took to Twitter to disclose his plans for the visit. He tweeted "Wheels up for India and a busy visit, focused on creating good jobs and strengthening the deep connection between the people of our two countries". Wheels up for India and a busy visit, focused on creating good jobs and strengthening the deep connection between the people of our two countries. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/Jg6UmL9y4S — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 16, 2018 × The trip aims at boosting strategic ties including the creation of jobs and developing cordial relations between the two countries. Trudeau will also be accompanied by his cabinet colleagues including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, Science and Sports Minister Kirsty Duncan and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi. All packed up and ready to go! Looking forward to the week ahead in India with @JustinTrudeau and my colleagues, promoting Canada as a great place to do business and deepen the strong ties between our two countries. Wheels up! #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/2ZtskKUDc1 — Navdeep Bains (@NavdeepSBains) February 16, 2018 × He is the second youngest prime minister in Canada.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in India with family

<p>Canada is a blessed nation with stunning geographical beauty, abundant natural resources, huge territory, scanty population, remarkable ethnic and linguistic diversity and wonderful people. But for its extreme weather, Canada would have been the most habitable nation on the planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indians started trickling into Canada in the late 19th century and currently comprise over 3.6 percent of her population. Industrious, law-abiding, educated and affluent, they have carved out a niche for themselves. Canada prides itself in being a salad-bowl instead of a melting-pot, and Indians constitute a vibrant hue, in the Canadian tapestry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>India and Canada enjoy remarkable synergies including complimentary economies. Both nations are members of G-20. Despite ebbs and flows in the ties for a variety of reasons, a buoyancy has sought to be injected through high-level exchanges in the last decade or so.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi paid a highly successful visit to Canada in April 2015. He was addressing an audience of over 10,000 in Toronto, when a CEO of a leading Canadian conglomerate, with sizeable investments in India, got so swayed by the electrifying atmosphere, that he said to the author, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t understand Hindi, but listen, I am buying whatever your Prime Minister is selling!&rsquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is remarkable that cash-rich Canadian Pension Funds and giants like Brookfield Asset Management, encouraged by the Indian growth story, have invested some CAD 12 to 15 billion (precise figures are difficult to compute) in the last 3 to 4 years, in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, financial services, distressed assets, modern logistics facilities and e-commerce. Early conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) which has been under discussion for several years, should spur greater investment in both directions. Indian companies have so far invested some $ 2 billion in Canada in the IT, software, steel and natural resources sectors.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement. While investments are growing, trade remains sluggish at a mere US$ 6 billion last year, with $ 2 billion in Canada&rsquo;s favour. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), under negotiation for a while, should give it a fillip but is nowhere in sight.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since 2015, we have been sourcing Uranium from Canada regularly. Canada has huge reserves of hydrocarbons but, currently, it is proving uneconomic for India to import or exploit them. Canada also has strengths in renewable energy, an area in which we can step-up collaboration. A number of small and medium size Canadian companies, which have successfully developed clean-tech and green-tech applications are expanding their footprint in India.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Canada is one of the global hubs of vocational and higher education. Of late, Indian students have been making a beeline to the country. Since 2015, India has emerged as the second largest source of international students for Canada. 2017 saw an unprecedented 60% increase in the number of Indian students to a total of 125,000. They pumped-in some CAD 5 billion into the host nation&rsquo;s economy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additional areas in which we can enhance cooperation to mutual benefit include, agri-tech, IT, innovation, S&amp;T, aviation and outer space, infrastructure especially railways, cold-climate warfare, cyber-security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and tourism.</p>

<p>&nbsp;On the flip side there is the Khalistani issue which hangs over the bilateral ties. Goes without saying that getting it out of the way, will go a long way in deepening mutual attraction and trust.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is in this background that the important 7-day state visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking place from 17 to 24 February. He would be accompanied by an impressive official and business delegation, and would be travelling to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Agra. Several officials, business, public and cultural engagements are being scheduled for the guest who last came to India as a 12-year old, with his father (Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) in 1983.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Trudeau will witness a different India &ndash; aspirational and confident &ndash; but as welcoming as in 1983, for we accord considerable weightage to our relationship with Canada and stand ready to qualitatively strengthen it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>

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		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>


Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement.

Canada is a blessed nation with stunning geographical beauty, abundant natural resources, huge territory, scanty population, remarkable ethnic and linguistic diversity and wonderful people. But for its extreme weather, Canada would have been the most habitable nation on the planet. Indians started trickling into Canada in the late 19th century and currently comprise over 3.6 percent of her population. Industrious, law-abiding, educated and affluent, they have carved out a niche for themselves. Canada prides itself in being a salad-bowl instead of a melting-pot, and Indians constitute a vibrant hue, in the Canadian tapestry. India and Canada enjoy remarkable synergies including complimentary economies. Both nations are members of G-20. Despite ebbs and flows in the ties for a variety of reasons, a buoyancy has sought to be injected through high-level exchanges in the last decade or so. Prime Minister Modi paid a highly successful visit to Canada in April 2015. He was addressing an audience of over 10,000 in Toronto, when a CEO of a leading Canadian conglomerate, with sizeable investments in India, got so swayed by the electrifying atmosphere, that he said to the author, ‘I don’t understand Hindi, but listen, I am buying whatever your Prime Minister is selling!’ It is remarkable that cash-rich Canadian Pension Funds and giants like Brookfield Asset Management, encouraged by the Indian growth story, have invested some CAD 12 to 15 billion (precise figures are difficult to compute) in the last 3 to 4 years, in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, financial services, distressed assets, modern logistics facilities and e-commerce. Early conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) which has been under discussion for several years, should spur greater investment in both directions. Indian companies have so far invested some $ 2 billion in Canada in the IT, software, steel and natural resources sectors. Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement. While investments are growing, trade remains sluggish at a mere US$ 6 billion last year, with $ 2 billion in Canada’s favour. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), under negotiation for a while, should give it a fillip but is nowhere in sight. Since 2015, we have been sourcing Uranium from Canada regularly. Canada has huge reserves of hydrocarbons but, currently, it is proving uneconomic for India to import or exploit them. Canada also has strengths in renewable energy, an area in which we can step-up collaboration. A number of small and medium size Canadian companies, which have successfully developed clean-tech and green-tech applications are expanding their footprint in India. Canada is one of the global hubs of vocational and higher education. Of late, Indian students have been making a beeline to the country. Since 2015, India has emerged as the second largest source of international students for Canada. 2017 saw an unprecedented 60% increase in the number of Indian students to a total of 125,000. They pumped-in some CAD 5 billion into the host nation’s economy. Additional areas in which we can enhance cooperation to mutual benefit include, agri-tech, IT, innovation, S&T, aviation and outer space, infrastructure especially railways, cold-climate warfare, cyber-security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and tourism. On the flip side there is the Khalistani issue which hangs over the bilateral ties. Goes without saying that getting it out of the way, will go a long way in deepening mutual attraction and trust. It is in this background that the important 7-day state visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking place from 17 to 24 February. He would be accompanied by an impressive official and business delegation, and would be travelling to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Agra. Several officials, business, public and cultural engagements are being scheduled for the guest who last came to India as a 12-year old, with his father (Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) in 1983. PM Trudeau will witness a different India – aspirational and confident – but as welcoming as in 1983, for we accord considerable weightage to our relationship with Canada and stand ready to qualitatively strengthen it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Economy, energy, education are 3 pillars of Indo-Canadian relationship

<p>The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under fire on social media for supposedly &#39;mansplaining&#39; a woman after he lightheartedly corrected a woman to say &#39;peoplekind&#39; and not &#39;mankind,&#39; which initially drew cheers&nbsp;but later received a criticism for mansplaining and being too politically correct.</p>

<p>Trudeau was addressing a town hall event during which a woman introducing herself as the previous member of &#39;world mission society church of God&#39;&nbsp;was talking about &#39;maternal love&#39;&nbsp; after which she proceeded with asking&nbsp;Trudeau to look into policies on volunteering for religious charitable organizations after which she continued to spoke about maternal love and described it as &#39;the love that&#39;s going to change the future of mankind&#39;&nbsp; to which Trudeau interrupted raising his hand and said &#39;peoplekind&#39; not &#39;mankind.&#39;</p>

<p>Many in the audience including the woman cheered to Trudeau&#39;s comment.</p>

<p>According to google dictionary, mansplaining is a term used to describe the action of a man explaining something to a woman in a way that could be regarded as condescending or patronizing.</p>

<p>British journalist Piers Morgan also tweeted saying &quot;there is just one problem with your &#39;peoplekind&#39; nonsense, the word &#39;woman&#39; has &#39;man&#39; in it.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">*NEW:<br />
There&#39;s just one problem with your &#39;peoplekind&#39; nonsense, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a>: the word &#39;woman&#39; has &#39;man&#39; in it.<br />
Spin your PC-crazed, virtue-signalling feminist way out of that!<br />
<a href="https://t.co/pBI2WdIMeB">https://t.co/pBI2WdIMeB</a> <a href="https://t.co/8nrmiHyWHi">pic.twitter.com/8nrmiHyWHi</a></p>
&mdash; Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/960937143102328834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trudeau&#39;s comments also received ridicule from&nbsp;people on social media.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Peoplkind? Ridiculous!</p>
&mdash; Dk (@derrykallen) <a href="https://twitter.com/derrykallen/status/960691965963640832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Breaking. Justin Trudeau tells DC Comics that Batman will not be allowed in Canada unless they change the name to Batpeople.</p>
&mdash; Joe Biggs (@Rambobiggs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rambobiggs/status/960945490777997313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Justin Trudeau&#39;s term, &quot;peoplekind,&quot; is also sexist.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
&quot;People&quot; is plural for &quot;person.&quot;<br />
<br />
See what I see?<br />
<br />
per-SON.<br />
<br />
What about daughters?<br />
<br />
Per-SON is a gendered term, and therefore, &quot;people&quot; is too.<br />
<br />
The correct term, if we do elect to use it, is:<br />
<br />
&quot;PEROFFSPRINGKIND.&quot;</p>
&mdash; Ali A. Rizvi (@aliamjadrizvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/aliamjadrizvi/status/960943431098032128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Justin Trudeau is what would happen if the song &ldquo;Imagine&rdquo; took human form and then ate a Tide Pod.</p>
&mdash; Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/960688577465106432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If your name happens to be Guy Manson, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> may refer to you as Person Personperson</p>
&mdash; DANGEROUS TROLL ???? (@Dangerous_Troll) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dangerous_Troll/status/960992941970829312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Many in the audience including the woman cheered to Trudeau's comment of using word 'peoplekind' not 'mankind'

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under fire on social media for supposedly 'mansplaining' a woman after he lightheartedly corrected a woman to say 'peoplekind' and not 'mankind,' which initially drew cheers but later received a criticism for mansplaining and being too politically correct. Trudeau was addressing a town hall event during which a woman introducing herself as the previous member of 'world mission society church of God' was talking about 'maternal love' after which she proceeded with asking Trudeau to look into policies on volunteering for religious charitable organizations after which she continued to spoke about maternal love and described it as 'the love that's going to change the future of mankind' to which Trudeau interrupted raising his hand and said 'peoplekind' not 'mankind.' Many in the audience including the woman cheered to Trudeau's comment. According to google dictionary, mansplaining is a term used to describe the action of a man explaining something to a woman in a way that could be regarded as condescending or patronizing. British journalist Piers Morgan also tweeted saying "there is just one problem with your 'peoplekind' nonsense, the word 'woman' has 'man' in it." *NEW: There's just one problem with your 'peoplekind' nonsense, @JustinTrudeau: the word 'woman' has 'man' in it. Spin your PC-crazed, virtue-signalling feminist way out of that! https://t.co/pBI2WdIMeB pic.twitter.com/8nrmiHyWHi — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 6, 2018 × Trudeau's comments also received ridicule from people on social media. Peoplkind? Ridiculous! — Dk (@derrykallen) February 6, 2018 × Breaking. Justin Trudeau tells DC Comics that Batman will not be allowed in Canada unless they change the name to Batpeople. — Joe Biggs (@Rambobiggs) February 6, 2018 × Justin Trudeau's term, "peoplekind," is also sexist. Why? "People" is plural for "person." See what I see? per-SON. What about daughters? Per-SON is a gendered term, and therefore, "people" is too. The correct term, if we do elect to use it, is: "PEROFFSPRINGKIND." — Ali A. Rizvi (@aliamjadrizvi) February 6, 2018 × Justin Trudeau is what would happen if the song “Imagine” took human form and then ate a Tide Pod. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 6, 2018 × If your name happens to be Guy Manson, @JustinTrudeau may refer to you as Person Personperson — DANGEROUS TROLL ???? (@Dangerous_Troll) February 6, 2018 ×

Justin Trudeau tells woman to say 'peoplekind', not 'mankind'; faces backlash

<p>India and Canada have much in common &ndash; democracy, cultural and ethnic diversity, complimentary economies, rule of law and the English language, among other attributes. The large Indian diaspora - affluent, educated and industrious - of over 1.25 million (in a country of merely 35 million people) should have, in the normal course, been instrumental in fostering great bilateral bonhomie. But that was not to be!&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were good reasons why the Indian Prime Ministerial (Narendra Modi) visit to Canada happened after a gap of forty-two years, in April 2015. The first was the sanctions imposed by Ottawa after India&rsquo;s nuclear test in Pokhran in 1974. That issue was finally put to rest in 2010 with the conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement. A conservative government led by Stephen Harper was then in power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The second is the &lsquo;Khalistani&rsquo; issue, which continues to bedevil the ties. Khalistani elements continue to find a safe haven in Canada, from where they engage in anti-India activities unabashedly. Incidentally, the Kanishka bombing in 1985 is still vivid in public memories. Thanks to vote bank politics, Canadian politicians have few qualms about showing up at events, which eulogise Khalistani terrorists. Indian protestations, over the decades, at all levels, have had little impact. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indians, 95 per cent of whom were Sikhs from rural Punjab, started trickling-into Vancouver, Canada in the late 19th century. They took up blue collar jobs in the lumber industry or farms. Canadian preference for highly skilled people, from the 1960s onwards, spurred Indians from across the nation to migrate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the same, the Sikhs moved to Canada in numbers, some feigning political persecution in India, during the late 70s and early 80s, coinciding with the rule of Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Gradually, they developed dense pockets in Vancouver (Surrey and Abbotsford) and Toronto (Mississauga and Brampton). Consequently, they could tilt the electoral balance, in 4 to 6 federal parliamentary constituencies (called ridings in Canada). And, therein, lies the rub.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sikhs comprise about 40 per cent of the Indian diaspora, around 350,000 of who are eligible to vote. This constitutes a significant number in Canadian politics, as the ridings are small in size. The community, generally, favours the Liberal party and, hence, is actively wooed. Non-Sikhs, on the other hand, are more widely dispersed, are not so politically active or willing to loosen their purse strings, vote on merit and are inclined more towards the Conservatives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sikhs have established many Gurdwaras (temples), particularly, in the Greater Toronto and Vancouver regions. Over time the hardliners have managed to wrest control of a number of them along with the sizeable offerings that they receive annually from the devotees. This has given them financial muscle and influence, which they use with impunity.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some Gurdwaras display pictures of terrorists, presented as &lsquo;martyrs&rsquo;. Processions and events are regularly organised where fiery speeches are delivered, objectionable tableaux displayed and even kids made to brandish unsheathed swords. Clearly, an attempt is afoot to radicalise the Sikh (Canadian) youth, while the state looks the other way. Gurdwara funds are being misused with some finding their way into wrong hands in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It goes unsaid that an overwhelming majority of the community does not endorse the outlook or activities of these elements. Recently, Government of India&#39;s initiatives to slash the visa blacklists and reach out to the fence-sitters has helped. Many of them have since visited India and seen through the separatist propaganda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it is the continuing appearance of Canadian politicians, at radical platforms, which give the latter the oxygen to publicity. It must be said to the credit of Conservatives that they had recalibrated their stance of late. During Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s visit in April 2015, then Prime Minister Harper had publicly stated that his government was committed to the unity and integrity of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The thumping Liberal victory in the October 2015 general elections has boosted the morale of the separatists. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was present at an event in Toronto, in May last year that featured Khalistani flags and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Earlier in April 2016, he rightly hailed the contributions of the Sikh community during the Baisakhi Day celebrations at the Parliament, but without mentioning India even once.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The stock response of the Canadian side, whenever the matter is raised, is that freedom of speech is guaranteed by their Constitution. They plead ignorance of the noxious aspects. The disposition of our Canadian friends is not likely to change, till such time as they give due weightage to ties with India and are willing, at worst, to lose a bunch of votes in a few ridings. The ball is squarely in the Canadian court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Khalistani elements continue to find a safe haven in Canada, from where they engage in anti-India activities unabashedly.

India and Canada have much in common – democracy, cultural and ethnic diversity, complimentary economies, rule of law and the English language, among other attributes. The large Indian diaspora - affluent, educated and industrious - of over 1.25 million (in a country of merely 35 million people) should have, in the normal course, been instrumental in fostering great bilateral bonhomie. But that was not to be! There were good reasons why the Indian Prime Ministerial (Narendra Modi) visit to Canada happened after a gap of forty-two years, in April 2015. The first was the sanctions imposed by Ottawa after India’s nuclear test in Pokhran in 1974. That issue was finally put to rest in 2010 with the conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement. A conservative government led by Stephen Harper was then in power. The second is the ‘Khalistani’ issue, which continues to bedevil the ties. Khalistani elements continue to find a safe haven in Canada, from where they engage in anti-India activities unabashedly. Incidentally, the Kanishka bombing in 1985 is still vivid in public memories. Thanks to vote bank politics, Canadian politicians have few qualms about showing up at events, which eulogise Khalistani terrorists. Indian protestations, over the decades, at all levels, have had little impact. Indians, 95 per cent of whom were Sikhs from rural Punjab, started trickling-into Vancouver, Canada in the late 19th century. They took up blue collar jobs in the lumber industry or farms. Canadian preference for highly skilled people, from the 1960s onwards, spurred Indians from across the nation to migrate. All the same, the Sikhs moved to Canada in numbers, some feigning political persecution in India, during the late 70s and early 80s, coinciding with the rule of Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Gradually, they developed dense pockets in Vancouver (Surrey and Abbotsford) and Toronto (Mississauga and Brampton). Consequently, they could tilt the electoral balance, in 4 to 6 federal parliamentary constituencies (called ridings in Canada). And, therein, lies the rub. The Sikhs comprise about 40 per cent of the Indian diaspora, around 350,000 of who are eligible to vote. This constitutes a significant number in Canadian politics, as the ridings are small in size. The community, generally, favours the Liberal party and, hence, is actively wooed. Non-Sikhs, on the other hand, are more widely dispersed, are not so politically active or willing to loosen their purse strings, vote on merit and are inclined more towards the Conservatives. The Sikhs have established many Gurdwaras (temples), particularly, in the Greater Toronto and Vancouver regions. Over time the hardliners have managed to wrest control of a number of them along with the sizeable offerings that they receive annually from the devotees. This has given them financial muscle and influence, which they use with impunity. Some Gurdwaras display pictures of terrorists, presented as ‘martyrs’. Processions and events are regularly organised where fiery speeches are delivered, objectionable tableaux displayed and even kids made to brandish unsheathed swords. Clearly, an attempt is afoot to radicalise the Sikh (Canadian) youth, while the state looks the other way. Gurdwara funds are being misused with some finding their way into wrong hands in India. It goes unsaid that an overwhelming majority of the community does not endorse the outlook or activities of these elements. Recently, Government of India's initiatives to slash the visa blacklists and reach out to the fence-sitters has helped. Many of them have since visited India and seen through the separatist propaganda. However, it is the continuing appearance of Canadian politicians, at radical platforms, which give the latter the oxygen to publicity. It must be said to the credit of Conservatives that they had recalibrated their stance of late. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit in April 2015, then Prime Minister Harper had publicly stated that his government was committed to the unity and integrity of India. The thumping Liberal victory in the October 2015 general elections has boosted the morale of the separatists. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was present at an event in Toronto, in May last year that featured Khalistani flags and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Earlier in April 2016, he rightly hailed the contributions of the Sikh community during the Baisakhi Day celebrations at the Parliament, but without mentioning India even once. The stock response of the Canadian side, whenever the matter is raised, is that freedom of speech is guaranteed by their Constitution. They plead ignorance of the noxious aspects. The disposition of our Canadian friends is not likely to change, till such time as they give due weightage to ties with India and are willing, at worst, to lose a bunch of votes in a few ridings. The ball is squarely in the Canadian court. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Candian PM Trudeau will be in India but 'Khalistani' issue casts a shadow on bilateral ties

<p>Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed three trade agreements on Monday as Ottawa tries to diversify commercial ties amid tough NAFTA negotiations with Washington.</p>

<p>At a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, the two leaders signed an action plan on energy cooperation as well as two memoranda of understanding on food products and a &quot;Canada learning initiative.&quot;</p>

<p>The details of the agreements are unclear.</p>

<p>&quot;The opportunities for deepening our economic and people-to-people ties are tremendous,&quot; Trudeau said in opening remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Canada is deeply interested in further engagement and trade across the Pacific and I know we&#39;re going to continue to have wonderful and fruitful discussions,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Li told Trudeau it was rare for China to have such a &quot;close, intimate relationship&quot; with another nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;China-Canada relations are indeed headed toward a golden stage,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Li visited Ottawa in September last year, when the two sides agreed to double bilateral commerce by 2025.</p>

<p>During the December 3-7 official visit, Trudeau &quot;will promote a progressive trade agenda and tourism initiatives&quot;, according to his office.</p>

<p>He will meet government and business leaders as part of Canada&#39;s concerted push to diversify its trade, the bulk of which is currently with the United States.</p>

<p>Trudeau said he also plans full and frank discussions on &quot;issues like good governance, human rights, and the rule of law&quot;.</p>

<p>The visit to China is Trudeau&#39;s second since he came to power two years ago, and comes as trilateral talks with the United States and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement appear to be headed toward a deadlock.</p>

<p>Canada and Mexico staunchly oppose US proposals for a NAFTA sunset clause, minimum US content in car parts and nixing of the pact&#39;s trade dispute mechanism.</p>

<p>The US has adopted a more protectionist tone under President Donald Trump and his &quot;America First&quot; policy.</p>

<p>Beijing, meanwhile, has openly courted increased trade with Canada, including calling for a free trade deal.</p>

<p>China is currently Canada&#39;s second-largest trading partner, far behind the United States, with annual bilateral trade worth more than Can$85 billion (US$67 billion).</p>

<p>During the visit to Beijing and Guangzhou, Trudeau will also meet President Xi Jinping and Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People&#39;s Congress or legislature.</p>

<p>The prime minister is popular in China, where citizens have affectionately nicknamed him &quot;Little potato,&quot; as his surname sounds similar to the word &quot;potato&quot; in Mandarin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His father, who established diplomatic ties with China in 1970, was named &quot;senior potato&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Internet users on domestic social media platforms focused on Trudeau&#39;s appearance, with one commentator hailing him as &quot;the most handsome foreign leader&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed an action plan on energy cooperation as well as two memoranda of understanding on food products and a 'Canada learning initiative'

Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed three trade agreements on Monday as Ottawa tries to diversify commercial ties amid tough NAFTA negotiations with Washington. At a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, the two leaders signed an action plan on energy cooperation as well as two memoranda of understanding on food products and a "Canada learning initiative." The details of the agreements are unclear. "The opportunities for deepening our economic and people-to-people ties are tremendous," Trudeau said in opening remarks. "Canada is deeply interested in further engagement and trade across the Pacific and I know we're going to continue to have wonderful and fruitful discussions," he added. Li told Trudeau it was rare for China to have such a "close, intimate relationship" with another nation. "China-Canada relations are indeed headed toward a golden stage," he said. Li visited Ottawa in September last year, when the two sides agreed to double bilateral commerce by 2025. During the December 3-7 official visit, Trudeau "will promote a progressive trade agenda and tourism initiatives", according to his office. He will meet government and business leaders as part of Canada's concerted push to diversify its trade, the bulk of which is currently with the United States. Trudeau said he also plans full and frank discussions on "issues like good governance, human rights, and the rule of law". The visit to China is Trudeau's second since he came to power two years ago, and comes as trilateral talks with the United States and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement appear to be headed toward a deadlock. Canada and Mexico staunchly oppose US proposals for a NAFTA sunset clause, minimum US content in car parts and nixing of the pact's trade dispute mechanism. The US has adopted a more protectionist tone under President Donald Trump and his "America First" policy. Beijing, meanwhile, has openly courted increased trade with Canada, including calling for a free trade deal. China is currently Canada's second-largest trading partner, far behind the United States, with annual bilateral trade worth more than Can$85 billion (US$67 billion). During the visit to Beijing and Guangzhou, Trudeau will also meet President Xi Jinping and Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress or legislature. The prime minister is popular in China, where citizens have affectionately nicknamed him "Little potato," as his surname sounds similar to the word "potato" in Mandarin. His father, who established diplomatic ties with China in 1970, was named "senior potato". Internet users on domestic social media platforms focused on Trudeau's appearance, with one commentator hailing him as "the most handsome foreign leader".

China, Canada sign trade agreements during Trudeau's visit

<p>US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has business ties to a shipping firm linked to Vladimir Putin&#39;s inner circle, according to a vast leak of financial documents that also revealed Britain&#39;s Queen Elizabeth II&#39;s investments in tax havens.</p>

<p>It was also revealed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&#39;s top fundraiser and senior advisor Stephen Bronfman, heir to the Seagram fortune, moved some $60 million to offshore tax havens with ex-senator Leo Kolber.</p>

<p>The findings have emerged as part of the Paradise Papers released by the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which was behind the Panama Papers made public last year.</p>

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<h5>It was also revealed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&#39;s top fundraiser and senior advisor Stephen Bronfman, heir to the Seagram fortune, moved some $60 million to offshore tax havens with ex-senator Leo Kolber</h5>
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<p>There is no suggestion that Ross, Bronfman or the queen&#39;s private estate acted illegally.</p>

<p>But Ross&#39;s ties to Russian entities raise questions over potential conflicts of interest, and whether they undermine Washington&#39;s sanctions on Moscow.</p>

<p>The revelations about Bronfman could spell trouble for Trudeau, who was elected two years ago riding on the coattails of promises to reduce economic inequality and tax avoidance.</p>

<p>In the case of Queen Elizabeth&#39;s private estate, critics may question whether it is appropriate for the British head of state to invest in offshore tax havens.</p>

<p><strong>Putin&#39;s son-in-law&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Ross, a billionaire investor, holds a 31 percent stake in Navigator Holdings through a complex web of offshore investments detailed in the documents examined by nearly 100 news organizations as part of an international collaboration.</p>

<p>The 79-year-old reduced his stake when he took public office, according to public filings.</p>

<p>Navigator Holdings runs a lucrative partnership with Russian energy giant Sibur, which is partially owned by Putin&#39;s son-in-law Kirill Shamalov and Gennady Timchenko, the Russian president&#39;s friend and business partner who is subject to US sanctions.</p>

<p>The US imposed sanctions on Russian entities and individuals following its annexation of Crimea and aggression in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Ross&#39;s private equity firm has been the biggest shareholder in Navigator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His personal share of the firm&#39;s stake was reduced when he took office in February, but the commerce chief&#39;s investment is still valued at between $2 million to $10 million, according to his security filings and government ethics disclosure.</p>

<p>The New York Times reported that Ross&#39;s stake in Navigator has been held by companies in the Cayman Islands. His wealth, estimated to exceed $2 billion, is said to be tied to similar arrangements in various tax havens like the Cayman Islands.</p>

<p>&quot;Secretary Ross was not involved with Navigator&#39;s decision to engage in business with Sibur, a publicly traded company, which was not under sanction at the time and is not currently,&quot; said James Rockas, a Commerce Department spokesman.</p>

<p>&quot;Moreover, Secretary Ross has never met the Sibur shareholders referenced in this story and, until now, did not know of their relationship.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>&nbsp;Controversial businesses&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The documents also show around &pound;10 million ($13 million) of the Queen&#39;s private money was placed in funds held in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, first reported in Britain by the BBC and the Guardian newspaper.</p>

<p>They reported the funds reinvested the money in an array of businesses, including controversial rent-to-buy retailer BrightHouse, which has been accused of exploiting the poor, and a chain of alcohol stores that later went bankrupt.</p>

<p>A spokeswoman for the Duchy of Lancaster, which provides the monarch with an income and handles her investments, said: &quot;All of our investments are fully audited and legitimate.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We operate a number of investments and a few of these are with overseas funds,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>The spokeswoman added that one of the fund investments represents only 0.3 percent of the total value of the Duchy.</p>

<p>The Paradise Papers contain 13.4 million documents mainly from Appleby, an offshore law firm with offices in Bermuda and beyond.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The files were first obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, and shared with the ICIJ and partner media outlets.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Paradise Papers have been released by the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which was also behind last year's Panama Papers

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has business ties to a shipping firm linked to Vladimir Putin's inner circle, according to a vast leak of financial documents that also revealed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's investments in tax havens. It was also revealed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's top fundraiser and senior advisor Stephen Bronfman, heir to the Seagram fortune, moved some $60 million to offshore tax havens with ex-senator Leo Kolber. The findings have emerged as part of the Paradise Papers released by the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which was behind the Panama Papers made public last year. It was also revealed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's top fundraiser and senior advisor Stephen Bronfman, heir to the Seagram fortune, moved some $60 million to offshore tax havens with ex-senator Leo Kolber × There is no suggestion that Ross, Bronfman or the queen's private estate acted illegally. But Ross's ties to Russian entities raise questions over potential conflicts of interest, and whether they undermine Washington's sanctions on Moscow. The revelations about Bronfman could spell trouble for Trudeau, who was elected two years ago riding on the coattails of promises to reduce economic inequality and tax avoidance. In the case of Queen Elizabeth's private estate, critics may question whether it is appropriate for the British head of state to invest in offshore tax havens. Putin's son-in-law Ross, a billionaire investor, holds a 31 percent stake in Navigator Holdings through a complex web of offshore investments detailed in the documents examined by nearly 100 news organizations as part of an international collaboration. The 79-year-old reduced his stake when he took public office, according to public filings. Navigator Holdings runs a lucrative partnership with Russian energy giant Sibur, which is partially owned by Putin's son-in-law Kirill Shamalov and Gennady Timchenko, the Russian president's friend and business partner who is subject to US sanctions. The US imposed sanctions on Russian entities and individuals following its annexation of Crimea and aggression in Ukraine. Ross's private equity firm has been the biggest shareholder in Navigator. His personal share of the firm's stake was reduced when he took office in February, but the commerce chief's investment is still valued at between $2 million to $10 million, according to his security filings and government ethics disclosure. The New York Times reported that Ross's stake in Navigator has been held by companies in the Cayman Islands. His wealth, estimated to exceed $2 billion, is said to be tied to similar arrangements in various tax havens like the Cayman Islands. "Secretary Ross was not involved with Navigator's decision to engage in business with Sibur, a publicly traded company, which was not under sanction at the time and is not currently," said James Rockas, a Commerce Department spokesman. "Moreover, Secretary Ross has never met the Sibur shareholders referenced in this story and, until now, did not know of their relationship." Controversial businesses The documents also show around £10 million ($13 million) of the Queen's private money was placed in funds held in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, first reported in Britain by the BBC and the Guardian newspaper. They reported the funds reinvested the money in an array of businesses, including controversial rent-to-buy retailer BrightHouse, which has been accused of exploiting the poor, and a chain of alcohol stores that later went bankrupt. A spokeswoman for the Duchy of Lancaster, which provides the monarch with an income and handles her investments, said: "All of our investments are fully audited and legitimate." "We operate a number of investments and a few of these are with overseas funds," she added. The spokeswoman added that one of the fund investments represents only 0.3 percent of the total value of the Duchy. The Paradise Papers contain 13.4 million documents mainly from Appleby, an offshore law firm with offices in Bermuda and beyond. The files were first obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, and shared with the ICIJ and partner media outlets.

Paradise Papers: US commerce secretary has ties to firm linked to Putin's inner circle

<p>Ireland&#39;s first openly-gay prime minister Leo Varadkar participated in Montreal&#39;s Gay Pride parade with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on August 20.</p>

<p>On Twitter, PM Varadkar, who is on a three-day visit to Canada, posted pictures and videos of the event which was attended by thousands of participants.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kicking off Montreal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pride?src=hash">#Pride</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadianPM">@CanadianPM</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FierteMTL?src=hash">#FierteMTL</a> ! ???? ???? ???&zwj;?? <a href="https://t.co/tf1L0czFV9">pic.twitter.com/tf1L0czFV9</a></p>
&mdash; Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) <a href="https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/status/899309076013871104">August 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A big thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadianPM">@CanadianPM</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FierteMTLPride">@FierteMTLPride</a> for such a great welcome in Montreal today <a href="https://t.co/0j5MHtXPGh">pic.twitter.com/0j5MHtXPGh</a></p>
&mdash; Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) <a href="https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/status/899431571656232961">August 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Varadkar, who took office in June, is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Justin Trudeau said.</p>

<p>The two heads of government earlier discussed a range of issues including the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Brexit, abortion and human rights.</p>

<p>At a joint news conference, Mr Varadkar said he discussed the issue of abortion with PM Trudeau during their bilateral talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that he wanted to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution early next year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 1983 law protects the right to life of a foetus, and outlaws abortion except in exceptional circumstances.</p>

<p>The Canadian PM said he shared PM Varadkar&#39;s perspective that reproductive rights were human rights.</p>

<p>Trudeau vowed &quot;strength through diversity&quot; in the face of recent attacks in Spain and Burkina Faso.</p>

<p>&quot;These recent acts of terror are despicable,&quot; the Canadian leader said. &quot;They seek to divide the global community, aiming to pit neighbour against neighbour.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


PM Varadkar is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Trudeau said

Ireland's first openly-gay prime minister Leo Varadkar participated in Montreal's Gay Pride parade with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on August 20. On Twitter, PM Varadkar, who is on a three-day visit to Canada, posted pictures and videos of the event which was attended by thousands of participants. Kicking off Montreal #Pride with @CanadianPM - #FierteMTL ! ???? ???? ???‍?? pic.twitter.com/tf1L0czFV9 — Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 20, 2017 × A big thank you to @CanadianPM and @FierteMTLPride for such a great welcome in Montreal today pic.twitter.com/0j5MHtXPGh — Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 21, 2017 × PM Varadkar, who took office in June, is the first foreign head of government to join a Canadian pride celebration, Justin Trudeau said. The two heads of government earlier discussed a range of issues including the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Brexit, abortion and human rights. At a joint news conference, Mr Varadkar said he discussed the issue of abortion with PM Trudeau during their bilateral talks. He said that he wanted to hold a referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution early next year. The 1983 law protects the right to life of a foetus, and outlaws abortion except in exceptional circumstances. The Canadian PM said he shared PM Varadkar's perspective that reproductive rights were human rights. Trudeau vowed "strength through diversity" in the face of recent attacks in Spain and Burkina Faso. "These recent acts of terror are despicable," the Canadian leader said. "They seek to divide the global community, aiming to pit neighbour against neighbour.

Watch: Canada PM Trudeau, Irish counterpart Varadkar at Montreal Pride Parade

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off celebrations on Saturday to mark the country&#39;s 150th birthday amid heavy security as many citizens braved incessant rains and long delays to reach the main site in the nation&#39;s capital, Reuters reports.</p>

<p>About 500,000 people were expected to be in Ottawa for the long-anticipated&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;Day festivities, which features a large outdoor celebration in front of the national Parliament, complete with acrobats, fireworks and musicians, including singer Bono and other members of Irish rock band U2.</p>

<p>Trudeau, accompanied by Britain&#39;s Prince Charles, shook hands with some of the thousands of revelers who converged on&nbsp;Canada&#39;s capital Ottawa for the festivities.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are truly blessed to live in this great country. ???? Nous avons beaucoup de chance de vivre dans un pays aussi extraordinaire. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> <a href="https://t.co/RqHlZak6lt">pic.twitter.com/RqHlZak6lt</a></p>
&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/881225949496446979">July 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Canada&nbsp;is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them,&quot; Trudeau told the gathering. &quot;We don&#39;t aspire to be a melting pot &ndash; indeed, we know true strength and resilience flows through Canadian diversity.&quot;</p>

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays, Major League Baseball&#39;s only team based in Canada, celebrated the occassion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">????&nbsp;A beautiful celebration for a beautiful country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZDZjUEJtjG">pic.twitter.com/ZDZjUEJtjG</a></p>
&mdash; Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/881201848220344320">July 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some cities are celebrating in more unusual ways. Toronto,&nbsp;Canada&#39;s largest city, will have a giant rubber duck floating in its harbour.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Spotted! The World&#39;s Largest Rubber Duck is preparing to make her grand entrance to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOwaterfront?src=hash">#TOwaterfront</a> ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash">#Toronto</a> <a href="https://t.co/RvNwYbhh2k">pic.twitter.com/RvNwYbhh2k</a></p>
&mdash; Redpath WaterFest (@TOwaterfest) <a href="https://twitter.com/TOwaterfest/status/880788327150039040">June 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Toronto had the standard marches, with the country&#39;s flags hanging from ice hockey sticks.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>People participate in the East York Toronto Canada Day parade, as the country marks its 150th anniversary with &quot;Canada 150&quot; celebrations, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada July 1, 2017. (Reuters)</p>
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<p>In Western Canada, Calgary had&nbsp;a &quot;living flag&quot; composed of people wearing red and white.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Living flag takes over Winnipeg&rsquo;s Portage and Main <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a><a href="https://t.co/JzK66w3oNf">https://t.co/JzK66w3oNf</a> <a href="https://t.co/gDr4B42TvA">pic.twitter.com/gDr4B42TvA</a></p>
&mdash; Anonymous ?? (@YourAnonCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/YourAnonCentral/status/881221498987356160">July 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Security was already ramped up in the days ahead of the celebration and party-goers must contend with road closures and concrete barriers across entrances into Parliament Hill, located in downtown Ottawa.</p>

<p>Heavy downpours prompted Ottawa firefighters to pump water off the grounds on Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Fire Service urged citizens to follow safety instructions. National and local police were also out in force, with security top of mind for many Canadians in the wake of fatal attacks in London, Paris and Germany.</p>

<p>The nationwide party comes as&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;is enjoying an unusual amount of interest from the rest of the world, largely due to the election of charismatic and selfie-prone leader Trudeau.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Controversy: Backlash, not celebration</p>

<p>Still, in the runup to the celebrations, some controversy was stirred at home, particularly among First Nations who noted&nbsp;Canada&#39;s history of mistreatment of indigenous people. Activists erected a teepee on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/days-before-canadas-150th-anniversary-police-arrest-release-9-people-erecting-indigenous-ceremonial-teepee-on-parliament-hill-17397" target="_blank">Parliament Hill </a>on Thursday in protest.</p>

<p>&quot;As a society, we must acknowledge and apologize for past wrongs, and chart a path forward for the next 150 years,&quot; Trudeau said in a statement ahead of the official kickoff.</p>

<p>Indigenous rights group Idle No More has called for a national day of action on Saturday, telling supporters to hold rallies and take to social media.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You can&#39;t have a celebration of Canada without Duncan Campbell Scott. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0YmwUTrwn">pic.twitter.com/G0YmwUTrwn</a></p>
&mdash; Terrill Tailfeathers (@Terrilltf) <a href="https://twitter.com/Terrilltf/status/881316668596670464">July 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Events and installations celebrating the sesquicentennial milestone have already been held across the country this year, with the total cost to the federal government reported to be half a billion dollars.</p>

<p>Not everybody thought this was a sensible expenditure.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The amount of $$ being invested into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> REALLY bothers me. We could&#39;ve done so much with it like bettering the lives of our children</p>
&mdash; Chelsea Jane Edwards (@chelseajaneed) <a href="https://twitter.com/chelseajaneed/status/881298175545536514">July 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Along with fireworks, free museums and outdoor concerts nationwide on Saturday, more than 50 special ceremonies to swear in new citizens will be held across the country.</p>

<p>Twitter users were sharing their favorite Canadian songs and food, along with photos of the preparations under the hashtag&nbsp;Canada150.</p>

<p>Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived in&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;for an official visit on Thursday. The royals began a three-day tour of&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;with a trip to the northern territory of Nunavut, home to a large number of First Nations and Inuit people.</p>

<p>The bash in Ottawa will culminate with a musical fireworks show that is billed as largest-ever such display for&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;Day. It will last for 20 minutes and 17 seconds to commemorate 2017.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


But some controversy was stirred up at home, as First Nations noted?Canada's history of mistreatment of Indigenous people

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off celebrations on Saturday to mark the country's 150th birthday amid heavy security as many citizens braved incessant rains and long delays to reach the main site in the nation's capital, Reuters reports. About 500,000 people were expected to be in Ottawa for the long-anticipated Canada Day festivities, which features a large outdoor celebration in front of the national Parliament, complete with acrobats, fireworks and musicians, including singer Bono and other members of Irish rock band U2. Trudeau, accompanied by Britain's Prince Charles, shook hands with some of the thousands of revelers who converged on Canada's capital Ottawa for the festivities. We are truly blessed to live in this great country. ???? Nous avons beaucoup de chance de vivre dans un pays aussi extraordinaire. #Canada150 pic.twitter.com/RqHlZak6lt — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 1, 2017 × "Canada is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them," Trudeau told the gathering. "We don't aspire to be a melting pot – indeed, we know true strength and resilience flows through Canadian diversity." The Toronto Blue Jays, Major League Baseball's only team based in Canada, celebrated the occassion. ???? A beautiful celebration for a beautiful country. #Canada150 pic.twitter.com/ZDZjUEJtjG — Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 1, 2017 × Some cities are celebrating in more unusual ways. Toronto, Canada's largest city, will have a giant rubber duck floating in its harbour. Spotted! The World's Largest Rubber Duck is preparing to make her grand entrance to #TOwaterfront ??#Toronto pic.twitter.com/RvNwYbhh2k — Redpath WaterFest (@TOwaterfest) June 30, 2017 × Toronto had the standard marches, with the country's flags hanging from ice hockey sticks. People participate in the East York Toronto Canada Day parade, as the country marks its 150th anniversary with "Canada 150" celebrations, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada July 1, 2017. (Reuters) × In Western Canada, Calgary had a "living flag" composed of people wearing red and white. Living flag takes over Winnipeg’s Portage and Main #Canada150https://t.co/JzK66w3oNf pic.twitter.com/gDr4B42TvA — Anonymous ?? (@YourAnonCentral) July 1, 2017 × Security was already ramped up in the days ahead of the celebration and party-goers must contend with road closures and concrete barriers across entrances into Parliament Hill, located in downtown Ottawa. Heavy downpours prompted Ottawa firefighters to pump water off the grounds on Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Fire Service urged citizens to follow safety instructions. National and local police were also out in force, with security top of mind for many Canadians in the wake of fatal attacks in London, Paris and Germany. The nationwide party comes as Canada is enjoying an unusual amount of interest from the rest of the world, largely due to the election of charismatic and selfie-prone leader Trudeau. Controversy: Backlash, not celebration Still, in the runup to the celebrations, some controversy was stirred at home, particularly among First Nations who noted Canada's history of mistreatment of indigenous people. Activists erected a teepee on Parliament Hill on Thursday in protest. "As a society, we must acknowledge and apologize for past wrongs, and chart a path forward for the next 150 years," Trudeau said in a statement ahead of the official kickoff. Indigenous rights group Idle No More has called for a national day of action on Saturday, telling supporters to hold rallies and take to social media. You can't have a celebration of Canada without Duncan Campbell Scott. #Canada150 pic.twitter.com/G0YmwUTrwn — Terrill Tailfeathers (@Terrilltf) July 2, 2017 × Events and installations celebrating the sesquicentennial milestone have already been held across the country this year, with the total cost to the federal government reported to be half a billion dollars. Not everybody thought this was a sensible expenditure. The amount of $$ being invested into #Canada150 REALLY bothers me. We could've done so much with it like bettering the lives of our children — Chelsea Jane Edwards (@chelseajaneed) July 1, 2017 × Along with fireworks, free museums and outdoor concerts nationwide on Saturday, more than 50 special ceremonies to swear in new citizens will be held across the country. Twitter users were sharing their favorite Canadian songs and food, along with photos of the preparations under the hashtag Canada150. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived in Canada for an official visit on Thursday. The royals began a three-day tour of Canada with a trip to the northern territory of Nunavut, home to a large number of First Nations and Inuit people. The bash in Ottawa will culminate with a musical fireworks show that is billed as largest-ever such display for Canada Day. It will last for 20 minutes and 17 seconds to commemorate 2017. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada Day: Country's 150th birthday celebrations feature celebrities, crowds, and a giant rubber duck

<p>Pride&nbsp;was celebrated differently across North America, with&nbsp;the East coast taking&nbsp;on a more political tone and the&nbsp;West making it more of&nbsp;a party, Reuters reports. No doubt each city contained mixes of each, but perhaps the strains were detectable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The political backlash&nbsp;concerned Trump, who&nbsp;promised during the election to protect gay people. But his move in February to revoke the Obama administration&#39;s guidance letting transgender students choose which gender bathroom they use, and his executive order last month to promote religious liberty have been seen by some as discriminatory.</p>

<p>Chelsea Manning, the transgender&nbsp;US&nbsp;Army soldier who served seven years in prison for leaking classified data before former President Barack Obama granted her clemency, attended Pride in New York.</p>

<p>Manning, was released from a military prison in May.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">honored to represent the <a href="https://twitter.com/ACLU">@aclu</a> at this years <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCPrideMarch">@NYCPrideMarch</a> ???????? lost my voice from screaming so much ?? thank you ??<a href="https://t.co/qZIBuyrNRq">https://t.co/qZIBuyrNRq</a> <a href="https://t.co/3C6xVZQquV">pic.twitter.com/3C6xVZQquV</a></p>
&mdash; Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) <a href="https://twitter.com/xychelsea/status/879052588125212672">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A group of marchers heading down New York&#39;s Fifth Avenue carried photographs of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, as others waved banners bearing the word &quot;RESIST&quot;&nbsp;and the rainbow flag of the Pride movement.</p>

<p>Brad Hoylman, a Democratic lawmaker in the New York State Senate, told Reuters that&nbsp;lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were &quot;under assault&quot; by the Trump administration. &quot;He already rolled back rights for transgender students, for example, and the list is on and on,&quot; he said. &quot;So we have a lot more work to do, that&#39;s why we are here today.&quot;</p>

<p>NYC&nbsp;march&#39;s grand marshals this year include the American Civil Liberties Union, which was chosen for its history of litigation defending gay rights; Brooke Guinan, a transgender woman who works as a firefighter in the city; and Geng Le, a gay rights activist in China.</p>

<p>&quot;Pride this year is showing that we are here, we are queer, and we are not going to sit down for anything less than full rights, full equality,&quot; said Austin Anderson, a 28-year-old advertising worker who attended &nbsp;the New York march.</p>

<p>The march route ends on Christopher Street in Manhattan&#39;s West Village to commemorate the riots that broke out there in 1969 after police raided the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/new-york-lgbt-bar-becomes-first-us-monument-to-gay-rights-1146" target="_blank"> Stonewall Inn</a>, a gay bar, in an event seen as a turning point in the gay rights movement. New York&#39;s first Pride march started near&nbsp;by the following year.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>San Fran</strong></p>

<p>San Francisco had a few anti-Trump signs too, but the theme of the day was letting loose. &quot;It&#39;s too good a day to be upset about Trump,&quot; said Richard Babb, 66, of San Francisco to Reuters.</p>

<p>Revelers had to pass through one of dozens of metal security detectors to get into the main plaza. &quot;Happy Pride everyone!&quot; a security monitor yelled to the crowd, as people cheered and saluted. &quot;Have fun today.&quot;</p>

<p>Two gay cousins attended the parade dressed in tutus and unicorn headbands. &quot;We see this as a party, not a political protest,&quot; Qiaira McPeters, 18, said. Despite that, McPeters said that she feels things for gay people have been getting worse. &quot;Gay people are getting beat up all the time,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Toronto, Canada</strong></p>

<p>The city known as &quot;TO&quot; had thousands of revellers take to the streets. Toronto Pride has recently become a more&nbsp;political affair, with Black Lives Matter (BLM) insisting in 2016&nbsp;that uniformed police officers&nbsp;no longer have their customary&nbsp;float or booths in future Pride&nbsp;parades. BLM&nbsp;shut down last year&#39;s parade until the demands&nbsp;were&nbsp;agreed to, which they&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;were.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Black queer lives matter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pride2017?src=hash">#Pride2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/prideto?src=hash">#prideto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackPride?src=hash">#BlackPride</a> <a href="https://t.co/qY6LsWGV0t">pic.twitter.com/qY6LsWGV0t</a></p>
&mdash; BlackLivesMatter TO (@BLM_TO) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLM_TO/status/879094064620109825">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>It&#39;s been a hot point of contention. Members of&nbsp;BLM Toronto argued that allowing uniformed officers at the parade could discourage marginalised communities from attending, according to The Toronto Star. Toronto&#39;s BLM has inspired NYC&#39;s chapter of BLM, who made the same demand yesterday, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/black-lives-matter-toronto-pride-2017-1.4177554" target="_blank">CBC </a>reports.</p>

<p>But political inclusion was on display too, as the event was attended by the city&#39;s mayor, the province&#39;s premier, and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Love is love. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrideTO?src=hash">#PrideTO</a> <a href="https://t.co/z2No7rdchZ">pic.twitter.com/z2No7rdchZ</a></p>
&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/879093265101926400">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Many at Toronto Pride simply let loose and partied.</p>

<p>&quot;The March seemed very safe, fun, lots of dancing in the streets and drag queens and crowds,&quot; Toronto photographer&nbsp;Becca Lemire told WION.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>March participants carry a massive Pride flag through the streets of downtown Toronto. Photo source: Becca Lemire photography. (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Seattle</strong></p>

<p>Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, the first openly gay person to hold that job, joined the parade with his husband, Michael Shiosaki. &quot;Today we celebrate our unity,&quot; he said in a video posted on Twitter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mayor Ed Murray and husband Michael Shiosaki marching, shaking hands with parade attendees <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrideParade2017?src=hash">#PrideParade2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/6VeWgZtvfi">pic.twitter.com/6VeWgZtvfi</a></p>
&mdash; Paige Gross (@By_paigegross) <a href="https://twitter.com/By_paigegross/status/879049493366284288">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hundreds of people marched in&nbsp;downtown Seattle in unusually hot weather, many in skimpy outfits and carrying pink balloons. A rainbow flag was hoisted to the top of the city&#39;s iconic Space Needle.</p>

<p>The Seattle Police Department, which put rainbow-colored decals on their patrol cars, said a group of people blocked the parade route for about 30 minutes to hold a sit-in in honor of Charleena Lyles, the black mother slain by city police a week ago. There were no arrests, police said.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


From anti-Trump and anti-police themes to just straight up parties, this is how the US and Canada celebrated Pride

Pride was celebrated differently across North America, with the East coast taking on a more political tone and the West making it more of a party, Reuters reports. No doubt each city contained mixes of each, but perhaps the strains were detectable. The political backlash concerned Trump, who promised during the election to protect gay people. But his move in February to revoke the Obama administration's guidance letting transgender students choose which gender bathroom they use, and his executive order last month to promote religious liberty have been seen by some as discriminatory. Chelsea Manning, the transgender US Army soldier who served seven years in prison for leaking classified data before former President Barack Obama granted her clemency, attended Pride in New York. Manning, was released from a military prison in May. honored to represent the @aclu at this years @NYCPrideMarch ???????? lost my voice from screaming so much ?? thank you ??https://t.co/qZIBuyrNRq pic.twitter.com/3C6xVZQquV — Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) June 25, 2017 × A group of marchers heading down New York's Fifth Avenue carried photographs of US President Donald Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, as others waved banners bearing the word "RESIST" and the rainbow flag of the Pride movement. Brad Hoylman, a Democratic lawmaker in the New York State Senate, told Reuters that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were "under assault" by the Trump administration. "He already rolled back rights for transgender students, for example, and the list is on and on," he said. "So we have a lot more work to do, that's why we are here today." NYC march's grand marshals this year include the American Civil Liberties Union, which was chosen for its history of litigation defending gay rights; Brooke Guinan, a transgender woman who works as a firefighter in the city; and Geng Le, a gay rights activist in China. "Pride this year is showing that we are here, we are queer, and we are not going to sit down for anything less than full rights, full equality," said Austin Anderson, a 28-year-old advertising worker who attended the New York march. The march route ends on Christopher Street in Manhattan's West Village to commemorate the riots that broke out there in 1969 after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, in an event seen as a turning point in the gay rights movement. New York's first Pride march started near by the following year. San Fran San Francisco had a few anti-Trump signs too, but the theme of the day was letting loose. "It's too good a day to be upset about Trump," said Richard Babb, 66, of San Francisco to Reuters. Revelers had to pass through one of dozens of metal security detectors to get into the main plaza. "Happy Pride everyone!" a security monitor yelled to the crowd, as people cheered and saluted. "Have fun today." Two gay cousins attended the parade dressed in tutus and unicorn headbands. "We see this as a party, not a political protest," Qiaira McPeters, 18, said. Despite that, McPeters said that she feels things for gay people have been getting worse. "Gay people are getting beat up all the time," she said. Toronto, Canada The city known as "TO" had thousands of revellers take to the streets. Toronto Pride has recently become a more political affair, with Black Lives Matter (BLM) insisting in 2016 that uniformed police officers no longer have their customary float or booths in future Pride parades. BLM shut down last year's parade until the demands were agreed to, which they eventually were. Black queer lives matter #Pride2017 #prideto #BlackPride pic.twitter.com/qY6LsWGV0t — BlackLivesMatter TO (@BLM_TO) June 25, 2017 × It's been a hot point of contention. Members of BLM Toronto argued that allowing uniformed officers at the parade could discourage marginalised communities from attending, according to The Toronto Star. Toronto's BLM has inspired NYC's chapter of BLM, who made the same demand yesterday, CBC reports. But political inclusion was on display too, as the event was attended by the city's mayor, the province's premier, and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Love is love. #PrideTO pic.twitter.com/z2No7rdchZ — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 25, 2017 × Many at Toronto Pride simply let loose and partied. "The March seemed very safe, fun, lots of dancing in the streets and drag queens and crowds," Toronto photographer Becca Lemire told WION. March participants carry a massive Pride flag through the streets of downtown Toronto. Photo source: Becca Lemire photography. (Others) × Seattle Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, the first openly gay person to hold that job, joined the parade with his husband, Michael Shiosaki. "Today we celebrate our unity," he said in a video posted on Twitter. Mayor Ed Murray and husband Michael Shiosaki marching, shaking hands with parade attendees #PrideParade2017 pic.twitter.com/6VeWgZtvfi — Paige Gross (@By_paigegross) June 25, 2017 × Hundreds of people marched in downtown Seattle in unusually hot weather, many in skimpy outfits and carrying pink balloons. A rainbow flag was hoisted to the top of the city's iconic Space Needle. The Seattle Police Department, which put rainbow-colored decals on their patrol cars, said a group of people blocked the parade route for about 30 minutes to hold a sit-in in honor of Charleena Lyles, the black mother slain by city police a week ago. There were no arrests, police said. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump denounced, Trudeau marched: Pride celebrations across North America

<p>Nobody could claim to be shocked after&nbsp;the presidential candidate who ran on &quot;bomb the sh*t out of them&quot; rained Tomahawk missiles&nbsp;on&nbsp;Syria and dropped what is literally called&nbsp;the &quot;Mother Of All Bombs&quot; in Afghanistan,&nbsp;but tough words against <em>Canada</em>?</p>

<p>Canada is now bracing for trade disputes with the US after what some may see as surprisingly anti-Canadian rhetoric coming from the Trump White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday Trump&nbsp;said:&nbsp;&quot;People don&#39;t realise that Canada has been very rough on the United States. Everyone thinks of Canada as being wonderful and so do I. I love Canada. But they&#39;ve outsmarted our politicians for years.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Canada was &quot;not a good neighbour&quot;.</p>

<p>As&nbsp;statements, this is placid stuff by&nbsp;Trump White House standards. These&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;seem to be using Canadian passive aggressiveness against Canada. But in action Trump&#39;s pledge&nbsp;to charge an additional&nbsp;20 per cent tax on softwood lumber, key in the construction industry,&nbsp;from Canada is highly provocative. In a $5 billion industry,&nbsp;US dollars, this amounts to an additional $1 billion.</p>

<p>And Reuters <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-rekindles-trade-conflict-with-canada-over-lumber-14898" target="_blank">reported </a>that the US Commerce department&nbsp;&quot;will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits based on these preliminary rates,&quot; and that&nbsp;&quot;certain companies will be subject to the retroactive collection of cash deposits&quot; for up to 90 days.</p>

<p>Fair play is apparently the US getting hundreds of millions of dollars in <em>cash </em>for something that has already happened.&nbsp;The previous softwood lumber deal expired in October 2015, but what gives the US grounds to make these kind of claims is unclear.</p>

<p>In response, Prime Minister Trudeau&#39;s office has&nbsp;&quot;refuted the baseless allegations by the US Department of Commerce and the decision to impose unfair duties,&quot; according to summary of the call published in <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/04/25/canada-braces-for-tough-times-in-us-lumber-dispute.html" target="_blank">media reports</a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Is this new? No</strong></p>

<p>While it&#39;s tempting to read this as a sign that Trump&#39;s unhinged bellicosity will extend even to Canada--a country&nbsp;the planet largely sees as an innocent darling, although less so as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-justin-trudeau-liberal-signs-and-symbols-6370">evidence </a>to the contrary mounts--squeezing Canada for more money despite signed free trade agreements is an American tradition. Complaining about America doing this is a Canadian tradition.</p>

<p>It&#39;s a fight that first erupted in the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-17/u-s-and-canada-say-divisions-remain-in-softwood-lumber-dispute" target="_blank">1980s</a>. In fact,&nbsp;trying to screw Canada on softwood lumber&nbsp;may be the only political&nbsp;precedent Trump has decided not to smash.</p>

<p>Wilbur Ross continued:&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a question of President Trump messing with the Canadians. We believe the Canadians violated legitimate practice.&rdquo; That Canada violated legitimate practices is a little rich, coming from&nbsp;a man&nbsp;who represents a president&nbsp;currently under FBI investigation for&nbsp;colluding&nbsp;with a hostile foreign government, and who for&nbsp;decades has been so linked to the Russian mafia he may as well be a made man, if he isn&#39;t already. (Here<a href="http://thegopwatchdog.com/136-paths-to-putin/" target="_blank">&nbsp;are 136</a>&nbsp;links between Trump&#39;s orbit and Russia&#39;s.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>But to be fair, the softwood lumber issue does predate&nbsp;Trump, and is&nbsp;sufficiently&nbsp;thorny and complicated to have put these two otherwise chummy, successive governments at odds for&nbsp;decades. Maybe Canada violated agreements, but it&#39;s impossible to hear the US president, the king of the &quot;<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/trump-university-its-worse-than-you-think" target="_blank">bait and switch</a>&quot; con, and take his word for it.</p>

<p>People outside North America may look at this and wonder:&nbsp;If Trump will pick a fight with Canada, which country is immune? Well, they should know,&nbsp;this is an old fight.</p>

<p>But in case&nbsp;anyone thinks the US&nbsp;isn&#39;t being a little ornery&nbsp;with its northern neighbour, Trump is&nbsp;targeting not just lumberjacks&nbsp;but&nbsp;Canada&#39;s other notorious fat cats: Dairy farmers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Canada has made business for our dairy farmers in Wisconsin and other border states very difficult. We will not stand for this. Watch!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/856847826663460865">April 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump has spent months blasting NAFTA, but&nbsp;also recently praised it, and now seems to be harsh&nbsp;on it again. While the lumber fight may be old, moving forward with free trade deals&nbsp;the script&nbsp;is far from clear.</p>

<p>Trying to predict&nbsp;what this erratic,&nbsp;monumentally inexperienced and unqualified guy&nbsp;will do&nbsp;next is anyone&#39;s guess.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


While it's tempting to see this new trade dispute as Trump's bellicosity extending even to Canada, it's actually Washington-Ottawa tradition

Nobody could claim to be shocked after the presidential candidate who ran on "bomb the sh*t out of them" rained Tomahawk missiles on Syria and dropped what is literally called the "Mother Of All Bombs" in Afghanistan, but tough words against Canada? Canada is now bracing for trade disputes with the US after what some may see as surprisingly anti-Canadian rhetoric coming from the Trump White House. On Tuesday Trump said: "People don't realise that Canada has been very rough on the United States. Everyone thinks of Canada as being wonderful and so do I. I love Canada. But they've outsmarted our politicians for years." The US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Canada was "not a good neighbour". As statements, this is placid stuff by Trump White House standards. These Americans seem to be using Canadian passive aggressiveness against Canada. But in action Trump's pledge to charge an additional 20 per cent tax on softwood lumber, key in the construction industry, from Canada is highly provocative. In a $5 billion industry, US dollars, this amounts to an additional $1 billion. And Reuters reported that the US Commerce department "will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits based on these preliminary rates," and that "certain companies will be subject to the retroactive collection of cash deposits" for up to 90 days. Fair play is apparently the US getting hundreds of millions of dollars in cash for something that has already happened. The previous softwood lumber deal expired in October 2015, but what gives the US grounds to make these kind of claims is unclear. In response, Prime Minister Trudeau's office has "refuted the baseless allegations by the US Department of Commerce and the decision to impose unfair duties," according to summary of the call published in media reports. Is this new? No While it's tempting to read this as a sign that Trump's unhinged bellicosity will extend even to Canada--a country the planet largely sees as an innocent darling, although less so as evidence to the contrary mounts--squeezing Canada for more money despite signed free trade agreements is an American tradition. Complaining about America doing this is a Canadian tradition. It's a fight that first erupted in the 1980s. In fact, trying to screw Canada on softwood lumber may be the only political precedent Trump has decided not to smash. Wilbur Ross continued: “It’s not a question of President Trump messing with the Canadians. We believe the Canadians violated legitimate practice.” That Canada violated legitimate practices is a little rich, coming from a man who represents a president currently under FBI investigation for colluding with a hostile foreign government, and who for decades has been so linked to the Russian mafia he may as well be a made man, if he isn't already. (Here are 136 links between Trump's orbit and Russia's.) But to be fair, the softwood lumber issue does predate Trump, and is sufficiently thorny and complicated to have put these two otherwise chummy, successive governments at odds for decades. Maybe Canada violated agreements, but it's impossible to hear the US president, the king of the "bait and switch" con, and take his word for it. People outside North America may look at this and wonder: If Trump will pick a fight with Canada, which country is immune? Well, they should know, this is an old fight. But in case anyone thinks the US isn't being a little ornery with its northern neighbour, Trump is targeting not just lumberjacks but Canada's other notorious fat cats: Dairy farmers. Canada has made business for our dairy farmers in Wisconsin and other border states very difficult. We will not stand for this. Watch! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2017 × Trump has spent months blasting NAFTA, but also recently praised it, and now seems to be harsh on it again. While the lumber fight may be old, moving forward with free trade deals the script is far from clear. Trying to predict what this erratic, monumentally inexperienced and unqualified guy will do next is anyone's guess. (WION)

Trump's tough talk on Canadian lumber anything but unprecedented

<p>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&#39;s Liberals will introduce legislation in the coming weeks which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Canada by the middle of next year, reports said on Monday.</p>

<p>Trudeau&#39;s Liberal caucus was briefed on the timeline for the proposed measure during a weekend meeting, public broadcaster CBC reported, citing unnamed sources.</p>

<p>The CBC said the legislation would be unveiled the week of April 10 and passed by July 2018.</p>

<p>Trudeau spokesman Cameron Ahmad would not confirm the dates, but said the government has &quot;committed to bringing in legislation in the spring.&quot;</p>

<p>The CBC said new regulations would broadly follow recommendations released in December by a federally-appointed task force.</p>

<p>It called for setting a minimum age of 18 or 19 years old for pot use, in line with restrictions on alcohol consumption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also outlined criminal penalties for trafficking and selling cannabis to youth.</p>

<p>Under the proposed rules, individuals would be allowed to grow up to four plants at home for personal use.&nbsp;Personal possession would be limited to 30 grams (one ounce).</p>

<p>Each province would determine the appropriate means of distribution for the substance.</p>

<p>In the meantime, with a proliferation of pot stores seeking to grab early market share, Ottawa has said a current ban on possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use remains in effect.</p>

<p>&quot;Until we have a framework to control and regulate marijuana, the current laws apply,&quot; Trudeau said at the beginning of March.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals will introduce the legislation in April and pass it by July 2018

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals will introduce legislation in the coming weeks which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Canada by the middle of next year, reports said on Monday. Trudeau's Liberal caucus was briefed on the timeline for the proposed measure during a weekend meeting, public broadcaster CBC reported, citing unnamed sources. The CBC said the legislation would be unveiled the week of April 10 and passed by July 2018. Trudeau spokesman Cameron Ahmad would not confirm the dates, but said the government has "committed to bringing in legislation in the spring." The CBC said new regulations would broadly follow recommendations released in December by a federally-appointed task force. It called for setting a minimum age of 18 or 19 years old for pot use, in line with restrictions on alcohol consumption. It also outlined criminal penalties for trafficking and selling cannabis to youth. Under the proposed rules, individuals would be allowed to grow up to four plants at home for personal use. Personal possession would be limited to 30 grams (one ounce). Each province would determine the appropriate means of distribution for the substance. In the meantime, with a proliferation of pot stores seeking to grab early market share, Ottawa has said a current ban on possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use remains in effect. "Until we have a framework to control and regulate marijuana, the current laws apply," Trudeau said at the beginning of March. (AFP)

Canada looks to legalise recreational marijuana by mid-2018

<p>Canadian federal budgets will focus more on women in a bid to lift their job prospects, improve their quality of life and narrow the country&#39;s wide wage gap between the sexes, the government said on Wednesday, a move that underscores the feminist credentials of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.</p>

<p>The latest budget, unveiled on Wednesday, included for the first time a separate gender statement detailing the main challenges facing women.</p>

<p>Finance Minister Bill Morneau told Parliament that fewer women joined the workforce than men, and noted they found it harder to reach senior roles in Canadian companies.</p>

<p>&quot;That means as a country we aren&#39;t taking full advantage of the talents, insights and experience of more than half of our population. It seems unfathomable, but it&#39;s true,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s why we need to do better.&quot;</p>

<p>Trudeau, who took power in November 2015, has stressed the importance of gender equality and made a point of appointing a cabinet with the same number of men and women.</p>

<p>While women account for 47 per cent of the workforce compared with 38 per cent in 1976, Canada has one of the highest gender wage gaps - 19.3 per cent - in the 35-nation Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.</p>

<p>The budget contained two measures spread over 11-years that the Liberals said should help address the issue - a program to boost early learning and child care and one to build more affordable housing.</p>

<p>The budget statement said women were disproportionately represented in lower-paying occupations and noted that mothers were less likely to work full-time thanks to challenges such as child care.</p>

<p>It also noted that women and girls were more likely to experience poverty, violence and harassment and have trouble finding affordable housing.</p>

<p>Morneau said the statement &quot;ensures all budget measures - not just those aimed specifically at women - help us advance the goals of fairness, workforce participation and gender equality&quot;.</p>

<p>The 2016 budget increased child benefits, included measures to make post-secondary education more affordable and committed more money to affordable housing. Ottawa is also looking at flexible working arrangements for federally regulated employees.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


The latest budget, unveiled on Wednesday, included for the first time a separate gender statement detailing the main challenges facing women

Canadian federal budgets will focus more on women in a bid to lift their job prospects, improve their quality of life and narrow the country's wide wage gap between the sexes, the government said on Wednesday, a move that underscores the feminist credentials of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The latest budget, unveiled on Wednesday, included for the first time a separate gender statement detailing the main challenges facing women. Finance Minister Bill Morneau told Parliament that fewer women joined the workforce than men, and noted they found it harder to reach senior roles in Canadian companies. "That means as a country we aren't taking full advantage of the talents, insights and experience of more than half of our population. It seems unfathomable, but it's true," he said. "It's why we need to do better." Trudeau, who took power in November 2015, has stressed the importance of gender equality and made a point of appointing a cabinet with the same number of men and women. While women account for 47 per cent of the workforce compared with 38 per cent in 1976, Canada has one of the highest gender wage gaps - 19.3 per cent - in the 35-nation Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The budget contained two measures spread over 11-years that the Liberals said should help address the issue - a program to boost early learning and child care and one to build more affordable housing. The budget statement said women were disproportionately represented in lower-paying occupations and noted that mothers were less likely to work full-time thanks to challenges such as child care. It also noted that women and girls were more likely to experience poverty, violence and harassment and have trouble finding affordable housing. Morneau said the statement "ensures all budget measures - not just those aimed specifically at women - help us advance the goals of fairness, workforce participation and gender equality". The 2016 budget increased child benefits, included measures to make post-secondary education more affordable and committed more money to affordable housing. Ottawa is also looking at flexible working arrangements for federally regulated employees. (Reuters)

Women's issues hold centre stage in Canada's new budget

<p>Canada&#39;s Justin Trudeau invited President Donald Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka to attend a Broadway musical celebrating Canadian hospitality towards foreigners following the 9/11 attacks.</p>

<p>Ivanka Trump and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, were guests of honour of the prime minister for the Wednesday night performance of &quot;Come From Away,&quot; a Trudeau spokesperson told AFP.</p>

<p>The Canadian Consulate had booked some 600 seats at Broadway&#39;s Schoenfeld Theater for the show, which made its official Broadway debut March 12.</p>

<p>&quot;Come From Away&quot; is set in a small Newfoundland town that welcomed some 7,000 anguished airline passengers following the September 11, 2001 attacks.</p>

<p>Their planes had been rerouted when US airspace closed after the Al-Qaeda strikes on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, which killed nearly 3,000 people.</p>

<p>The story highlights &quot;being there for each other, being open, being engaged and knowing that drawing together through dark times is what is very best about the human spirit,&quot; said Trudeau in a brief speech prior to the performance, footage of which was published online by US media outlets.</p>

<p>Afterwards the Canadian prime minister praised a &quot;wonderful and moving show,&quot; and paid tribute to the cast and crew.</p>

<p>Since Trump took office, Trudeau has worked to forge links with the new US administration while dissociating himself from the Republican leader&#39;s most controversial positions -- notably his hard line on immigration.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


'Come From Away' is set in a small Canada town that welcomed some 7,000 anguished airline passengers following the 9/11 attacks

Canada's Justin Trudeau invited President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka to attend a Broadway musical celebrating Canadian hospitality towards foreigners following the 9/11 attacks. Ivanka Trump and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, were guests of honour of the prime minister for the Wednesday night performance of "Come From Away," a Trudeau spokesperson told AFP. The Canadian Consulate had booked some 600 seats at Broadway's Schoenfeld Theater for the show, which made its official Broadway debut March 12. "Come From Away" is set in a small Newfoundland town that welcomed some 7,000 anguished airline passengers following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Their planes had been rerouted when US airspace closed after the Al-Qaeda strikes on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, which killed nearly 3,000 people. The story highlights "being there for each other, being open, being engaged and knowing that drawing together through dark times is what is very best about the human spirit," said Trudeau in a brief speech prior to the performance, footage of which was published online by US media outlets. Afterwards the Canadian prime minister praised a "wonderful and moving show," and paid tribute to the cast and crew. Since Trump took office, Trudeau has worked to forge links with the new US administration while dissociating himself from the Republican leader's most controversial positions -- notably his hard line on immigration. (AFP)

Subtle hint? Trudeau invites Trump daughter to Broadway show about hospitality to foreigners

<p>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under increasing pressure on Thursday to deal with asylum seekers illegally crossing into Canada from the United States to avoid a crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Trudeau, who stresses that Canada welcomes refugees, has so far avoided political fallout with Trump. The two talked on the phone about the border and other issues on Thursday but neither government gave many details of the conversation.</p>

<p>Allies and opponents alike say they want a strategy to cope with the dozens of people, mainly from Burundi, Eritrea, Syria, Ghana and Sudan - walking across the border every day.</p>

<p>The number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that Trump will start expelling illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral.</p>

<p>The premier of the western province of Manitoba, where many of the refugees end up, on Thursday asked Ottawa for more resources to deal with the new arrivals, some of whom have lost fingers to frostbite in the dangerous crossing.</p>

<p>While Brian Pallister said his province will welcome those in need with &quot;open arms and open hearts,&quot; his call for a national strategy to deal with the arrivals adds to opposition criticism that Trudeau has put national security at risk by embracing asylum seekers.</p>

<p>As of February&nbsp;13, some 3,800 people had made an asylum claim in 2017, up from the same period last year and on track to approach the 2008 peak of 36,867, said Scott Bardsley, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.</p>

<p>Bardsley said comparable data for the January&nbsp;1 to February13 period in 2016 was not available.</p>

<p>The asylum seekers are breaking the law because Canada&#39;s policy under a Canada-US&nbsp;Safe Third Country Agreement is to turn back refugees if they make claims at border crossings.</p>

<p>Trudeau and Trump discussed border cooperation in their phone call on Thursday.</p>

<p>The White House said Trump emphasised the importance of working closely with Canada on cross-border issues, &quot;including implementation of his administration&#39;s actions to protect America from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals and others.&quot;</p>

<p>Officials say Trump will soon issue a new executive order to replace the administration&#39;s directive suspending travel to the United States by citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries.</p>

<p>Warmer weather could spur more arrivals of asylum-seekers in Canada.</p>

<p>&quot;They know they are in a pickle. If people are coming over in February, what&#39;s it going to be like in June and July?&quot; said University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman.</p>

<p>Polls show Canadians are split over whether Canada should be accepting more or fewer refugees.</p>

<p>But even Liberal legislators are starting to hear from constituents concerned about the arrivals.</p>

<p>&quot;One or two people have raised the issue with me ... and I expect I&#39;ll have a few more&quot; conversations with constituents about the arrivals, said Kevin Lamoureux, member of parliament for Winnipeg North, where many asylum seekers settle awaiting their refugee hearing.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Trudeau and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on Thursday and reportedly discussed border cooperation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under increasing pressure on Thursday to deal with asylum seekers illegally crossing into Canada from the United States to avoid a crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump. Trudeau, who stresses that Canada welcomes refugees, has so far avoided political fallout with Trump. The two talked on the phone about the border and other issues on Thursday but neither government gave many details of the conversation. Allies and opponents alike say they want a strategy to cope with the dozens of people, mainly from Burundi, Eritrea, Syria, Ghana and Sudan - walking across the border every day. The number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that Trump will start expelling illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral. The premier of the western province of Manitoba, where many of the refugees end up, on Thursday asked Ottawa for more resources to deal with the new arrivals, some of whom have lost fingers to frostbite in the dangerous crossing. While Brian Pallister said his province will welcome those in need with "open arms and open hearts," his call for a national strategy to deal with the arrivals adds to opposition criticism that Trudeau has put national security at risk by embracing asylum seekers. As of February 13, some 3,800 people had made an asylum claim in 2017, up from the same period last year and on track to approach the 2008 peak of 36,867, said Scott Bardsley, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Bardsley said comparable data for the January 1 to February13 period in 2016 was not available. The asylum seekers are breaking the law because Canada's policy under a Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement is to turn back refugees if they make claims at border crossings. Trudeau and Trump discussed border cooperation in their phone call on Thursday. The White House said Trump emphasised the importance of working closely with Canada on cross-border issues, "including implementation of his administration's actions to protect America from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals and others." Officials say Trump will soon issue a new executive order to replace the administration's directive suspending travel to the United States by citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries. Warmer weather could spur more arrivals of asylum-seekers in Canada. "They know they are in a pickle. If people are coming over in February, what's it going to be like in June and July?" said University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman. Polls show Canadians are split over whether Canada should be accepting more or fewer refugees. But even Liberal legislators are starting to hear from constituents concerned about the arrivals. "One or two people have raised the issue with me ... and I expect I'll have a few more" conversations with constituents about the arrivals, said Kevin Lamoureux, member of parliament for Winnipeg North, where many asylum seekers settle awaiting their refugee hearing. (Reuters)

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau under pressure to deal with asylum-seekers crossing over from US

<p dir="ltr">Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from the United States but will ensure security measures are taken to keep Canadians safe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The number of would-be refugees crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that US President Donald Trump will crack down on illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau&#39; s centre-left Liberal government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the United States because of security fears and a lack of resources to deal with them.</p>

<p dir="ltr">&quot;One of the reasons why Canada remains an open country is Canadians trust our immigration system and the integrity of our borders and the help we provide people who are looking for safety,&quot; Trudeau told parliament.</p>

<p dir="ltr">&quot;We will continue to strike that balance between a rigorous system and accepting people who need help.&quot;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen also said Canada would continue to honour the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires it to turn back refugees if they make asylum claims at Canadian border crossings with the United States. Refugee advocates have argued this drives asylum seekers to cross illegally at isolated locations, risking their lives in frigid weather.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Amnesty International and other groups are pressuring the Canadian government to abandon the agreement, arguing the United States is not safe for refugees.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Canadian police said on Monday they had bolstered their presence at the Quebec border and that border authorities had created a temporary refugee centre to process the asylum seekers.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The number of people making refugee claims at Quebec-US border crossings more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Last month, 452 people made claims in Quebec compared with 137 in January 2016.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The influx is straining resources in the western prairie province of Manitoba and in Quebec, where taxis drop asylum seekers off metres away from the Quebec-U.S.border, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The right-leaning Conservative opposition have called on Canadian authorities to hand illegal immigrants over to US authorities, but Hussen said Canada can honour its refugee agreement with the United States while helping asylum seekers who enter the country illegally.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau' s government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the US because of security fears

Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from the United States but will ensure security measures are taken to keep Canadians safe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. The number of would-be refugees crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that US President Donald Trump will crack down on illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral. Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau' s centre-left Liberal government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the United States because of security fears and a lack of resources to deal with them. "One of the reasons why Canada remains an open country is Canadians trust our immigration system and the integrity of our borders and the help we provide people who are looking for safety," Trudeau told parliament. "We will continue to strike that balance between a rigorous system and accepting people who need help." Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen also said Canada would continue to honour the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires it to turn back refugees if they make asylum claims at Canadian border crossings with the United States. Refugee advocates have argued this drives asylum seekers to cross illegally at isolated locations, risking their lives in frigid weather. Amnesty International and other groups are pressuring the Canadian government to abandon the agreement, arguing the United States is not safe for refugees. Canadian police said on Monday they had bolstered their presence at the Quebec border and that border authorities had created a temporary refugee centre to process the asylum seekers. The number of people making refugee claims at Quebec-US border crossings more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Last month, 452 people made claims in Quebec compared with 137 in January 2016. The influx is straining resources in the western prairie province of Manitoba and in Quebec, where taxis drop asylum seekers off metres away from the Quebec-U.S.border, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said. The right-leaning Conservative opposition have called on Canadian authorities to hand illegal immigrants over to US authorities, but Hussen said Canada can honour its refugee agreement with the United States while helping asylum seekers who enter the country illegally. (Reuters)

Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from US: Justin Trudeau

<p>Donald Trump&#39;s every order, move, and lie has been (rightly) scrutinised&nbsp;ever since he took office. He is after all the &quot;most powerful man in the world&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, they&#39;ve also begun paying attention to his handshake.</p>

<p>That scrutiny began after a very strange 19-second &quot;tug-of-war&quot; with the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. As Trump holds onto Abe&#39;s hand -- watch video below -- he, every few seconds, &quot;pulls&quot;&nbsp;the prime minister towards himself, making Abe looking more and more uncomfortable in the process. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shinzo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Abe?src=hash">#Abe</a>&acute;s face after this extremely awkward 19 seconds handshake with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash">#Trump</a> says it all: <a href="https://t.co/oGSe6Ve8z8">pic.twitter.com/oGSe6Ve8z8</a></p>
&mdash; Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjAlvarez1/status/830142500941750274">February 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had better luck, and seemed to have done his homework. His handshake with Trump was short and sweet (watch video below).&nbsp;</p>

<p>A photo (above) from their press meet captured Trudeau&#39;s moment of reflection before his quick and firm handshake with Trump, a far cry from grab-and-pull that Abe had to go through.</p>

<p>Twitter was quick to read into the 5-second moment between the two heads of state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">nice smooth shake .. no jerks .. appropriately brief .. professional <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrudeauMeetsTrump?src=hash">#TrudeauMeetsTrump</a> <a href="https://t.co/ACBd7r5WV1">pic.twitter.com/ACBd7r5WV1</a></p>
&mdash; Robbi MacDougall (@yomydj) <a href="https://twitter.com/yomydj/status/831182996308897793">February 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When House of Cards becomes reality. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/handshake?src=hash">#handshake</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trump?src=hash">#trump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trudeau?src=hash">#trudeau</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uspoli?src=hash">#uspoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canpoli?src=hash">#canpoli</a> (photo not mine) <a href="https://t.co/cqblJk9lWR">pic.twitter.com/cqblJk9lWR</a></p>
&mdash; Partsinevelos (@KristinaParts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KristinaParts/status/831285024951500801">February 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I&#39;ve spent an embarrassing amount of time searching &quot;Trump-Trudeau handshake&quot; this morning.</p>
&mdash; Clare Malone (@ClareMalone) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClareMalone/status/831194872199708673">February 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How awkward was that Trump,Trudeau handshake? <a href="https://t.co/BBfqYIYfiB">pic.twitter.com/BBfqYIYfiB</a></p>
&mdash; Anthony Creed (@creed1992) <a href="https://twitter.com/creed1992/status/831174543049949184">February 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sorry Trump Trudeau wins round one of crazy handshake. Handshake interruptus. <a href="https://t.co/tSCmjTtEFf">https://t.co/tSCmjTtEFf</a></p>
&mdash; MikeFarb (@mikefarb1) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikefarb1/status/831239839576125440">February 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau&#39;s first meeting with the new US president was looked at with interest as the PM had a strong rapport with former Democratic president Barack Obama, prompting pundits to describe their relationship as a &quot;bromance&quot;.</p>

<p>With Trump, soon after he put a hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily banned travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries in an executive order on January 27, citing the need to head off attacks by Islamist militants, the Canadian prime minister took to Twitter to say refugees were welcome in Canada.</p>

<p>Trump says the United States will be &quot;tweaking&quot; its trade relationship with Canada, stopping short of calling for a major realignment in a development likely to please visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.</p>

<p>Trump has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) linking the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada to make the terms more favourable to Americans.</p>

<p>At a joint news conference with Trudeau after White House talks, Trump said his biggest concern with NAFTA was the US trade relationship with Mexico, which he has frequently accused of stealing American jobs. &quot;We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We&#39;ll be tweaking it,&quot; Trump said. &quot;It&#39;s a much less severe situation than what&#39;s taking place on the southern border. On the southern border, for many, many years the transaction was not fair to the United States,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Trump said the United States and Canada were stronger when they joined forces in matters of international commerce, and both countries benefited from having more jobs and trade in North America. &quot;We should coordinate closely - and we will coordinate closely - to protect jobs in our hemisphere and keep wealth on our continent, and to keep everyone safe,&quot; Trump said.</p>

<p>Trudeau carefully steered around questions about the Canadian trade relationship with the United States. He said he expected each country to always remain each other&#39;s most essential partner. &quot;There have been times where we have differed in our approaches and that&rsquo;s always been done firmly and respectfully. The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves,&quot; Trudeau said.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The Canadian PM Justin Trudeau got it right, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe did not

Donald Trump's every order, move, and lie has been (rightly) scrutinised ever since he took office. He is after all the "most powerful man in the world". Now, they've also begun paying attention to his handshake. That scrutiny began after a very strange 19-second "tug-of-war" with the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. As Trump holds onto Abe's hand -- watch video below -- he, every few seconds, "pulls" the prime minister towards himself, making Abe looking more and more uncomfortable in the process. Shinzo #Abe´s face after this extremely awkward 19 seconds handshake with #Trump says it all: pic.twitter.com/oGSe6Ve8z8 — Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) February 10, 2017 × Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had better luck, and seemed to have done his homework. His handshake with Trump was short and sweet (watch video below). A photo (above) from their press meet captured Trudeau's moment of reflection before his quick and firm handshake with Trump, a far cry from grab-and-pull that Abe had to go through. Twitter was quick to read into the 5-second moment between the two heads of state. nice smooth shake .. no jerks .. appropriately brief .. professional #TrudeauMeetsTrump pic.twitter.com/ACBd7r5WV1 — Robbi MacDougall (@yomydj) February 13, 2017 × When House of Cards becomes reality. #handshake #trump #trudeau #uspoli #canpoli (photo not mine) pic.twitter.com/cqblJk9lWR — Partsinevelos (@KristinaParts) February 13, 2017 × I've spent an embarrassing amount of time searching "Trump-Trudeau handshake" this morning. — Clare Malone (@ClareMalone) February 13, 2017 × How awkward was that Trump,Trudeau handshake? pic.twitter.com/BBfqYIYfiB — Anthony Creed (@creed1992) February 13, 2017 × Sorry Trump Trudeau wins round one of crazy handshake. Handshake interruptus. https://t.co/tSCmjTtEFf — MikeFarb (@mikefarb1) February 13, 2017 × Trudeau's first meeting with the new US president was looked at with interest as the PM had a strong rapport with former Democratic president Barack Obama, prompting pundits to describe their relationship as a "bromance". With Trump, soon after he put a hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily banned travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries in an executive order on January 27, citing the need to head off attacks by Islamist militants, the Canadian prime minister took to Twitter to say refugees were welcome in Canada. Trump says the United States will be "tweaking" its trade relationship with Canada, stopping short of calling for a major realignment in a development likely to please visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) linking the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada to make the terms more favourable to Americans. At a joint news conference with Trudeau after White House talks, Trump said his biggest concern with NAFTA was the US trade relationship with Mexico, which he has frequently accused of stealing American jobs. "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We'll be tweaking it," Trump said. "It's a much less severe situation than what's taking place on the southern border. On the southern border, for many, many years the transaction was not fair to the United States," he said. Trump said the United States and Canada were stronger when they joined forces in matters of international commerce, and both countries benefited from having more jobs and trade in North America. "We should coordinate closely - and we will coordinate closely - to protect jobs in our hemisphere and keep wealth on our continent, and to keep everyone safe," Trump said. Trudeau carefully steered around questions about the Canadian trade relationship with the United States. He said he expected each country to always remain each other's most essential partner. "There have been times where we have differed in our approaches and that’s always been done firmly and respectfully. The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves," Trudeau said. (WION)

Watch & learn: How to shake hands with Donald Trump

<p>US President Donald Trump on Monday called for &quot;reciprocal&quot; trade with Canada and to build bridges of commerce across the border, but nevertheless vowed to &quot;tweak&quot; the bilateral relationship.</p>

<p>Coming into Monday&#39;s meeting with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trade was one of the main topics on the agenda, and the new Republican leader certainly seemed to tone down his previously harsh rhetoric.</p>

<p>&quot;America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada,&quot; Trump told a joint press conference with Trudeau at his side, hailing the opportunity to &quot;build even more bridges&quot; of commerce.</p>

<p>&quot;We understand that both of our countries are stronger when we join forces in matters of international commerce,&quot; Trump said.</p>

<p>But he nevertheless pledged changes were on the horizon.</p>

<p>&quot;We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We will be tweaking it. We will be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries.&quot;</p>

<p>For his part, Trudeau said the two nations -- who with Mexico make up the North American Free Trade Agreement -- &quot;will always remain each other&#39;s most essential partner&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Today&#39;s conversations have served to reinforce how important that is for both Canadians and Americans,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Throughout his campaign and since his November election, Trump has voiced his determination to put &quot;America first&quot; and rip up NAFTA, which he has said is a &quot;catastrophe&quot; for American jobs.</p>

<p>Renegotiating NAFTA will not be simple and Trudeau, a fervent supporter of free trade, has emphasized the importance of the tripartite pact for his country&#39;s economy and warned against protectionism.</p>

<p>Trump has not been specific on how he wants the negotiations to develop.</p>

<p>&quot;When we sit down as we did today and as our teams will be doing in the weeks and months to come, we will be talking about how we can continue to create good jobs for our citizens on both sides of the border,&quot; Trudeau said.</p>

<p>The economic ties between America and its northern neighbor, who share the world`s longest common border, run deep: three-quarters of Canada`s exports go to the US, and Canada is the top destination for exports from about 30 US states.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Trade was one of the main topics in Trump's meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

US President Donald Trump on Monday called for "reciprocal" trade with Canada and to build bridges of commerce across the border, but nevertheless vowed to "tweak" the bilateral relationship. Coming into Monday's meeting with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trade was one of the main topics on the agenda, and the new Republican leader certainly seemed to tone down his previously harsh rhetoric. "America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada," Trump told a joint press conference with Trudeau at his side, hailing the opportunity to "build even more bridges" of commerce. "We understand that both of our countries are stronger when we join forces in matters of international commerce," Trump said. But he nevertheless pledged changes were on the horizon. "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We will be tweaking it. We will be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries." For his part, Trudeau said the two nations -- who with Mexico make up the North American Free Trade Agreement -- "will always remain each other's most essential partner". "Today's conversations have served to reinforce how important that is for both Canadians and Americans," he added. Throughout his campaign and since his November election, Trump has voiced his determination to put "America first" and rip up NAFTA, which he has said is a "catastrophe" for American jobs. Renegotiating NAFTA will not be simple and Trudeau, a fervent supporter of free trade, has emphasized the importance of the tripartite pact for his country's economy and warned against protectionism. Trump has not been specific on how he wants the negotiations to develop. "When we sit down as we did today and as our teams will be doing in the weeks and months to come, we will be talking about how we can continue to create good jobs for our citizens on both sides of the border," Trudeau said. The economic ties between America and its northern neighbor, who share the world`s longest common border, run deep: three-quarters of Canada`s exports go to the US, and Canada is the top destination for exports from about 30 US states. (AFP)

Trump tones down rhetoric but says will 'tweak' trade ties with Canada

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