Skip to Main content

11.98°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Oct 8, 2024 6:48 PM - Connect Newsroom – Jasmine Singh, with files from The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to Laos for ASEAN Summit

Share On

prime-minister-justin-trudeau-headed-to-laos-for-asean-summit

Canada and Indonesia are also working toward a trade deal that's set to be signed by the end of this year. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Laos this week to attend the ASEAN Summit, marking the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation. The gathering brings together leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to discuss regional cooperation and global trade.

While Canada is not a member of ASEAN, the two sides have maintained a strategic partnership since 2022. Ottawa is working toward finalizing a free trade agreement with the bloc by the end of next year, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties across the region.

Canada and Indonesia are also nearing completion of a separate bilateral trade deal expected to be signed before the end of this year. The ASEAN countries together represented Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner in 2023, underscoring their growing importance in Canada’s export and investment landscape.

Following the summit, Trudeau will travel to Germany on Saturday to join the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, which will be chaired by U.S. President Joe Biden. The discussions there are expected to focus on continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Latest news

Metro Vancouver Board Delays 2027 Budget Vote Until New Board Takes Office

The Metro Vancouver Board has postponed a vote on its 2027 budget and five-year financial plan during its final meeting on Friday. Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum had recently called for the meeting to be cancelled, arguing that voters had replaced mayors in 13 of the region’s 21 municipalities. He said there was little point in the outgoing board making decisions about future budgets and plans. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West and Delta Coun. Dylan Kruger were among several leaders who supported the decision. They argued that the current board had lost its mandate and that the incomi

todd-matsumoto-appointed-surrey-police-chief

Todd Matsumoto Appointed Surrey Police Chief

The Surrey Police Service (SPS) has appointed a new chief following the removal of former Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. The SPS Board announced Friday that Todd Matsumoto, who had been serving as interim chief, has officially been appointed as the city's Chief Constable. Surrey Police Board Chair Perm Jawanda expressed confidence in Matsumoto, describing him as the right leader to guide the SPS. Matsumoto brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in policing and public safety. He has been serving as interim chief since June 2026, replacing Lipinski. Following his appointment, Matsumo

david-eby-absent-as-b-c-ndp-selects-jennifer-whiteside-as-interim-leader

David Eby Absent as B.C. NDP Selects Jennifer Whiteside as Interim Leader

Former B.C. NDP leader David Eby was absent from a key caucus meeting held Thursday, during which Jennifer Whiteside was unanimously elected as the party’s new interim leader. Whiteside confirmed that Eby did not attend the meeting in person or join virtually. According to reports, Eby apologized and took full responsibility for the party’s election defeat during a final online meeting with outgoing MLAs on Wednesday. However, he reportedly added that he would have made the same decision under the circumstances, prompting frustration among several MLAs. The following day, Eby was absent wh

modi-to-visit-canada-on-december-11-12-may-address-30-000-person-gathering

CanadaOct 30, 2026

Modi to Visit Canada on December 11–12, May Address 30,000-Person Gathering

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada for two days on December 11 and 12 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to reports, Modi will address a gathering of the Indo-Canadian community in Toronto on December 11, with approximately 30,000 people expected to attend. However, his visit could extend beyond two days, although the final itinerary has yet to be confirmed. After completing his official bilateral engagements in Ottawa and Toronto, Modi will travel to the United States to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit. The visit is also expected to provide a

edmonton-police-investigate-suspicious-death-of-2-year-old-girl

AlbertaOct 30, 2026

Edmonton Police Investigate Suspicious Death of 2-Year-Old Girl

Edmonton police are investigating the suspicious death of a 2-year-old girl in the Castle Downs neighbourhood. Police received a report of a sudden child death at a home in the area at approximately 2 p.m. on October 10. Officers immediately responded to the scene. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Homicide Section has taken over the investigation. An autopsy has been completed, but the medical examiner is awaiting toxicology results to determine the exact cause of death. Police have not released any further details as the investigation continues.

Related News

Modi to Visit Canada on December 11–12, May Address 30,000-Person Gathering

Modi to Visit Canada on December 11–12, May Address 30,000-Person Gathering

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada for two days on December 11 and 12 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to reports, Modi will address a gathering of the Indo-Canadian community in Toronto on December 11, with approximately 30,000 people expected to attend. However, his visit could extend beyond two days, although the final itinerary has yet to be confirmed. After completing his official bilateral engagements in Ottawa and Toronto, Modi will travel to the United States to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit. The visit is also expected to provide a

Canada May Introduce New Tax Incentives for Small Businesses in Upcoming Budget

Canada May Introduce New Tax Incentives for Small Businesses in Upcoming Budget

The Canadian government may introduce new tax incentives for small businesses in its federal budget, scheduled to be presented on November 5. While economists and business organizations are calling for major reforms to Canada's overall tax system to boost economic growth and investment, government signals suggest the upcoming budget may focus on targeted tax relief measures. Rebekah Young, a former Finance Department official and an economist at Scotiabank, also predicted in a recent report that the government is unlikely to undertake major tax reforms immediately. Instead, the budget could in

Carney Warns Cleveland-Cliffs Over Failure to Honour Stelco Acquisition Commitments

Carney Warns Cleveland-Cliffs Over Failure to Honour Stelco Acquisition Commitments

Prime Minister Mark Carney has taken a firm stance against U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs, warning that failing to honour the conditions and legal obligations agreed to during its acquisition of Canadian steelmaker Stelco would be a serious mistake. Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, Carney was asked whether the federal government had made a mistake by approving the company's purchase of Stelco. He said the real mistake would be Cleveland-Cliffs failing to respect its employment commitments. Under the 2024 acquisition agreement, the company is legally obligated to

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital