14.86°C Vancouver

Mar 24, 2023 8:40 PM - The Canadian Press

Highlights: Trudeau - Biden meet in Ottawa

Share On
highlights-trudeau-biden-meet-in-ottawa
The joint statement confirms that the Safe Third Country Agreement will be applied between official ports of entry along the entire Canada-United States border, and that Canada will take in 15,000 more migrants from the Western Hemisphere over the next year.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say in a joint statement they are bolstering Norad, updating a treaty on cross-border asylum seekers and launching a one-year energy transformation task force.

They are also pointing to new spending on alternative fuel corridors, critical minerals, semiconductor projects, Great Lakes conservation and Arctic radar.

The joint statement confirms that the Safe Third Country Agreement will be applied between official ports of entry along the entire Canada-United States border, and that Canada will take in 15,000 more migrants from the Western Hemisphere over the next year.

It says Canada will spend $6.96 billion on surveillance system modernization in the North and another $7.3 billion toward aircraft, refuelling and airfield improvements ahead of its procurement of F-35 fighter jets, with Trudeau saying the money will come from planned investments.

And it says the energy task force, to be chaired by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and the U.S. special presidential co-ordinator for global infrastructure, will focus on renewable energy, electric vehicles, critical minerals and nuclear energy.

The statement also commits both countries to achieving net-zero power grids by 2035 and building a network of electric-vehicle chargers on both sides of the border.

Biden and Trudeau are condemning Russia's war in Ukraine and says China poses a ``serious long-term challenge to the international order,'' but it does not announce new measures for Haiti despite acknowledging the country's ``deteriorating security.''

Latest news

man-arrested-after-reported-assault-on-woman-in-new-westminster
BCApr 08, 2026

Man arrested after reported assault on woman in New Westminster

A man has been arrested after multiple witnesses reported seeing a woman being struck in the street in New Westminster on Sunday afternoon. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers responded to two separate 911 calls at 1:20 p.m. reporting an assault involving a man and a woman walking along the street. Police attended the area near Nanaimo Street and 18th Street, where they located both individuals. Officers arrested the man without incident at the scene and provided assistance to the woman. Investigators also interviewed multiple witnesses who remained in the a
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac
ontario-mp-marilyn-gladu-leaves-conservatives-to-join-liberals
CanadaApr 08, 2026

Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu leaves Conservatives to join Liberals

Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu says she has left the Conservative caucus and will sit with the Liberals under Prime Minister Mark Carney, becoming the fifth member of Parliament to cross the floor since November. Gladu confirmed the move in a statement, saying she will support the government’s agenda going forward. The reasons for her decision were not immediately detailed, and it is not clear whether she will take on a formal role within the Liberal caucus. Floor crossings do not trigger a byelection under federal rules, meaning Gladu will continue to represent her Ontario riding as a Liberal MP
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

First Nation chief challenges Alberta separation petition in court, citing treaty rights

The chief of a First Nation seeking a court injunction against a citizen-led petition on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada says legal action was necessary to defend treaty rights. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said the constitutional challenge targets the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process, which he argues could affect First Nations without proper consultation. According to statements made at the start of the hearing, Sunshine said the case is about ensuring treaty obligations are upheld. A court hearing began Tuesday and is expected to include a
poilievre-communications-director-katy-merrifield-to-step-down-this-week
BCApr 08, 2026

Poilievre communications director Katy Merrifield to step down this week

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s communications director, Katy Merrifield, is stepping down from her role, according to an internal email sent to the Conservative caucus on Tuesday. In the message, Merrifield said her last day in the Opposition Leader’s Office will be Friday. She also outlined changes to the senior communications team, stating that Micah Green will take over as communications director and Sam Lilly will become media relations director. Merrifield said both appointments were made at her recommendation. Merrifield joined Poilievre’s team in 2025, around the time the

Related News