23.68°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

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

See All
fuel-costs-on-the-rise-as-latest-geopolitical-turmoil-drives-up-crude-oil-prices
CanadaJul 23, 2026

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs are on the rise in Canada as geopolitical turmoil drives the price of crude oil to its highest level in more than a month. Gasbuddy.com, which crowdsources pump price data from across Canada and the U.S, says the Canadian national average now sits above $1.80 a litre- a two-cent increase from a day earlier and an eight-cent bump from a week ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy, says that could rise by another five to 10 cents over the next week or two as the full impact of the crude price jump works its way through the supply chain. West Texas Intermediate cr
canada-labour-board-again-orders-bank-of-canada-to-stop-using-replacement-workers-during-security-officers-strike
CanadaJul 23, 2026

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada for a second time to stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by its security officers, ruling that the practice violates Canada's new anti-scab provisions under the Canada Labour Code. According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the central bank continued using employees from private security firm Pinkerton despite an earlier board order issued in early July. The union alleged the replacement workers were being used to undermine the legal strike. The board has directed the Bank of Canada to remove the
lytton-b-c-hits-41-degrees-hottest-temperature-in-canada-this-year
BCJul 23, 2026

Lytton, B.C., hits 41 degrees, hottest temperature in Canada this year

The heat wave that has scorched southern British Columbia this week has seen temperatures pass 40 degrees for a second consecutive day in the Fraser Canyon, marking the two hottest temperatures recorded in Canada this year. Environment Canada says temperatures in Lytton hit 41.2 degrees on Wednesday, breaking a daily heat record set in 2006. Heat warnings that have blanketed the southern half of the province this week have receded, ending in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast, portions of Vancouver Island and the North Coast. But more than 20 heat warnings remain in place,
carney-says-canada-will-support-workers-and-businesses-amid-u-s-tariff-dispute
CanadaJul 23, 2026

Carney says Canada will support workers and businesses amid U.S. tariff dispute

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will take whatever steps are necessary to protect and support Canadians, families, workers and businesses as trade tensions with the United States continue. Carney made the remarks Thursday during the final day of the annual meeting of Canada's provincial and territorial premiers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. According to the prime minister, discussions focused heavily on U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods. Carney said Canada is in a stronger position than it was when the tr
AlbertaJul 23, 2026

Calgary police ask residents to check vacant homes as search for missing autistic boy enters seventh day

Calgary police are asking residents, property owners and real estate professionals to check vacant homes as the search for an 11-year-old boy with autism entered its seventh day. According to Calgary Police Service, Parker, who is non-verbal, walked away from his day home in north Calgary last Thursday. Police have not released his last name. Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson said Parker has the skills to survive inside a home, including getting drinking water from a tap and food from a refrigerator. Investigators believe he may have entered an unoccupied residence, prompting the appeal for peo

Related News

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs are on the rise in Canada as geopolitical turmoil drives the price of crude oil to its highest level in more than a month. Gasbuddy.com, which crowdsources pump price data from across Canada and the U.S, says the Canadian national average now sits above $1.80 a litre- a two-cent increase from a day earlier and an eight-cent bump from a week ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy, says that could rise by another five to 10 cents over the next week or two as the full impact of the crude price jump works its way through the supply chain. West Texas Intermediate cr
Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada for a second time to stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by its security officers, ruling that the practice violates Canada's new anti-scab provisions under the Canada Labour Code. According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the central bank continued using employees from private security firm Pinkerton despite an earlier board order issued in early July. The union alleged the replacement workers were being used to undermine the legal strike. The board has directed the Bank of Canada to remove the
Carney says Canada will support workers and businesses amid U.S. tariff dispute

Carney says Canada will support workers and businesses amid U.S. tariff dispute

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will take whatever steps are necessary to protect and support Canadians, families, workers and businesses as trade tensions with the United States continue. Carney made the remarks Thursday during the final day of the annual meeting of Canada's provincial and territorial premiers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. According to the prime minister, discussions focused heavily on U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods. Carney said Canada is in a stronger position than it was when the tr
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link