22.98°C Vancouver

Oct 7, 2024 1:53 PM - The Canadian Press

Trudeau heads to ASEAN summit and Ukraine defence meetings this week

Share On
trudeau-heads-to-asean-summit-and-ukraine-defence-meetings-this-week
The ASEAN bloc and Canada have pledged to ink a trade agreement by the end of 2025, and Canada entered a strategic partnership with the 10-member organization of Southeast Asian countries last year.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Justin Trudeau will travel to Laos later this week for the ASEAN summit, marking what his office says will be the first official visit of a Canadian prime minister to the Southeast Asian country.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings will take place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Thursday and Friday, after which the PMO says Trudeau will attend the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the U.S. air base in Ramstein, Germany.

The ASEAN bloc and Canada have pledged to ink a trade agreement by the end of 2025, and Canada entered a strategic partnership with the 10-member organization of Southeast Asian countries last year.

While work towards a trade agreement continues, Trudeau's office says he will also meet with partners at the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit where he will emphasize Canada’s role in addressing new and emerging challenges to peace and security, including cybercrime.

The prime minister's office says ASEAN, as a regional bloc, represents Canada's fourth-largest trading partner, with over $38.8 billion in bilateral trade in 2023.

His office says Trudeau "will work to advance shared interests and forge even stronger ties" between Canada and Laos as the two countries mark 50 years of bilateral relations this year.

"Shared challenges require shared solutions -- that's what the ASEAN Summit and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are all about," Trudeau said in a news release about the upcoming meetings.

"Whether it's fighting climate change, creating good-paying jobs, or strengthening democracy, Canada is playing a leadership role in creating a better, safer, and fairer future for people across the world."

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany will take place Saturday and will be hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The PMO said Trudeau will highlight the importance of addressing Ukraine's immediate economic, defence and security needs, including the provision of military equipment, security assistance and training.

Latest news

john-horgan-campus-opens-in-langford
BCSep 16, 2025

John Horgan Campus opens in Langford

The new Royal Roads University (RRU), John Horgan Campus is open, offering innovative post-secondary options for a growing number of students living in the Westshore. “Education opens the door to opportunity,” said Premier David Eby. “This new campus provides a doorway to future prosperity for people, for their families and for their community. It is a great tribute to John’s memory that this campus carries his name, as education opened a world of possibilities for him.” The campus aims to support the growing number of people of all ages choosing to call Langford home through a uniqu
man-facing-extradition-after-family-of-migrants-froze-to-death-at-canada-us-border
CanadaSep 16, 2025

Man facing extradition after family of migrants froze to death at Canada-US border

Another man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a migrant family on the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson, Man., in 2022. The federal justice department says Fenil Patel was arrested Sept. 5 on an extradition request from the United States. He is facing a hearing this week in Ontario Superior Court. Police in India announced in 2023 they were looking for Patel on human trafficking and other charges after a couple and their two children froze to death while trying to walk across the border in a frigid nighttime blizzard. Two men in the United States — Harshkumar Patel and Steve S
liberals-will-table-the-federal-budget-on-nov-4-champagne-says-by-craig-lord
CanadaSep 16, 2025

Francois-Philippe Champagne: Federal budget will be tabled on Nov. 4

The federal Liberal govt. will table the budget on Nov. 4. The update was shared by Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. This is going to be the first fiscal update to be shared by the new Carney govt. Usually the federal budget is tabled in the spring but the Liberals delayed this year's update until the fall. The finance minister shared an image with PM Mark Carney and then shared the news on his X account and wrote: Canada’s new government will table Budget 2025 on November 4th. A budget to meet this moment. A budget to build the strongest economy of the G7. A budget to build
vehicles-and-dirt-bikes-impounded-during-targeted-enforcement-blitz
BCSep 16, 2025

Vehicles and dirt bikes impounded during targeted enforcement blitz in Nanaimo

Aided from the air by an RCMP helicopter and with multiple officers on the ground, the Nanaimo RCMP impounded 4 dirt bikes and 3 vehicles for a wide range of driving offences. The campaign ran from 10 AM to 9 PM on Sunday September 14, 2025, and focused on key areas throughout the city. “Over the past several months, numerous complaints were received from the public over the blatant disregard for the rules of the road by a small group of individuals. From street racing to stunting to riding on sidewalks, these people were not only putting themselves at risk but the motoring public also. The
fatal-motor-vehicle-collision
BCSep 16, 2025

Driver killed in crash in Langley

On September 15, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision located near 256 Street and 48 Avenue Langley. The collision involved two sedans and despite life-saving efforts, one of the drivers succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The circumstances leading to this tragic collision remain under investigation, but impairment has been ruled out. “We have now seen five fatal collisions in Langley in just the past six weeks. Please slow down, stay focused and give yourself time to react,” said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP.

Related News