15.48°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

surrey-police-seek-public-help-to-locate-suspect-wanted-on-assault-charge
BCApr 20, 2026

Surrey police seek public help to locate suspect wanted on assault charge

Surrey Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault earlier this month. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, frontline officers began investigating on April 3 at about 8:35 a.m. after a report that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman with a weapon in the 17600 block of 58A Avenue. Police said the victim sustained minor injuries. The release states that on April 4, the BC Prosecution Service approved a charge against the suspect. Jason Donald Whyte, 54, is now wanted on a province-wide warrant for one count
alberta-to-introduce-legislation-to-end-seasonal-time-changes-premier-says
AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to eliminate twice-a-year clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round, according to comments she made to Postmedia. Smith said the change would mean Albertans would no longer set clocks forward in the spring or back in the fall, instead staying on the current time throughout the year. On a practical level, that would result in darker mornings during winter months but extended daylight in the evening. The premier indicated legislation to implement the change is expected to be introduced later this week. Details of how the transitio
immigration-department-implementing-fixes-after-audit-flags-critical-weaknesses-in-student-visa-oversight
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight

Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas. According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step
WorldApr 20, 2026

Eight children killed in Shreveport domestic shooting; suspect shot dead by police

Eight children between the ages of one and 14 were killed in a shooting described by police as a domestic disturbance in Shreveport early Sunday, according to local authorities. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said officers responded around 6 a.m. to reports of gunfire and found multiple victims across three locations connected to the incident. A total of 10 people were shot, Smith said, with the eight children confirmed dead. Police said the suspected shooter fled the scene in a vehicle and was later fatally shot by officers following a pursuit. Authorities have not released the suspect?
ottawa-approves-gradual-increase-in-direct-passenger-cargo-flights-with-china
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t

Related News