10.25°C Vancouver

Feb 7, 2020 11:41 PM -

PM Trudeau some star power from the sports world to his game plan in Africa

Share On
pm-trudeau-some-star-power-from-the-sports-world-to-his-game-plan-in-africa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters during a visit to a clothing factory in Montreal, Friday, January 31, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has brought some star power from the sports world to his game plan in Africa this week as he pursues support for a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council.

Trudeau is in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa where he will attend a weekend session of the African Union.

It's a chance for Trudeau to meet directly with several of the 54 African leaders, whose votes at a June meeting at the UN will be critical to Canada's success.

Along with three of his cabinet ministers, Trudeau is travelling with Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri.

While Trudeau invited Ujiri to join the delegation, the former European professional basketball player and NBA executive says he would have come to the continent anyway to promote his work.

Ujiri's foundation, Giants of Africa, uses basketball as a means to educate and enrich the lives of African youth.

He says he can also use his work as an ambassador for sport to help Canada in its quest for the UN seat.


Latest news

BCOct 29, 2026

Former B.C. NDP Ministers Admit Early Election Call Was a Major Mistake

Former B.C. NDP ministers Nikki Sharma and Ravi Parmar have expressed disappointment over the party’s election defeat, acknowledging that calling an early election was a major mistake. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party caucus meeting in Victoria, former Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the party and former Premier David Eby had clearly made the wrong decision by calling an early election. Former Attorney General Nikki Sharma said Wednesday’s virtual meeting of the outgoing caucus was highly emotional. She said Eby apologized for the decision to call the election and took f
two-arrested-in-calgary-kidnapping-and-hostage-taking-case-third-suspect-wanted
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Two Arrested in Calgary Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking Case, Third Suspect Wanted

Calgary police have arrested two men in connection with the kidnapping and hostage-taking of a woman, while a third suspect remains at large. Police received information about the incident on October 12. The following day, the tactical unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of 37 Street Southeast, where officers safely rescued the victim and arrested two suspects. Calgary residents Joseph Richard Frederick Sarrazin and Jordan Barry Taylor have been charged with forcible confinement and several other criminal offences. Police believe the kidnapping was a targeted incide
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Alberta Referendum Results Officially Released, 74.95% Vote to Remain in Canada

Elections Alberta released the official results Thursday of the October 19 referendum on immigration, constitutional reforms and Alberta’s separation from Canada. According to the results, 70.4 per cent of Alberta voters participated in the questions on requiring proof of citizenship to vote and whether the province should separate from Canada. These two questions recorded the highest voter participation. Official results showed that 74.95 per cent of Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. On the remaining nine questions, a majority of voters supported several immigration-rel
50-year-old-woman-killed-in-cement-truck-collision-near-vancouver-airport
BCOct 29, 2026

50-Year-Old Woman Killed in Cement Truck Collision Near Vancouver Airport

A 50-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a cement truck near Vancouver International Airport in Richmond on Wednesday. According to the RCMP, the incident occurred at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of Russ Baker Way and Miller Road. Emergency crews closed the roadway completely for several hours while investigating the collision. Sergeant Pak Yim expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. The RCMP is asking drivers who travelled through the a
melanie-joly-demands-stelco-reinstate-laid-off-workers-before-talks
CanadaOct 29, 2026

Melanie Joly Demands Stelco Reinstate Laid-Off Workers Before Talks

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has sent a strongly worded letter to Stelco President Paul Simon, demanding the immediate reinstatement of laid-off workers at the Ontario-based steelmaker. Joly said she is willing to meet with Stelco representatives and Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of its U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs. However, she made it clear that reinstating the laid-off workers would be a precondition for any discussions. Criticizing Goncalves, Joly said the company cannot use U.S. tariffs, which are hurting businesses on both sides of the border, as an excuse for the layoff

Related News