13.85°C Vancouver

Oct 3, 2024 1:23 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh with files from The Canadian Press

Trudeau headed to Francophonie summit in France

Share On
trudeau-headed-to-francophonie-summit-in-france
France is taking over the presidency of the Summit's theme will be to "create, innovate and do business in French". (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is travelling to France today to attend the Francophonie summit, where discussions on French-language cooperation are expected to share the stage with growing concerns about conflict in the Middle East.

The two-day summit, taking place Thursday and Friday in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, brings together leaders from French-speaking countries around the world. France will assume the presidency of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) from Tunisia during the event.

Officials say this year’s theme: “Create, innovate and do business in French” - aims to strengthen cultural, linguistic, and economic collaboration among member nations. Leaders are also expected to discuss ways to promote the French language globally, expand digital inclusion, and confront current geopolitical challenges.

Trudeau’s visit comes as Canada continues to navigate international crises, including escalating violence in the Middle East and ongoing debates about global democratic cooperation - topics likely to surface during this year’s Francophonie discussions.

Latest news

trump-says-u-s-blockade-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-be-lifted
WorldMay 29, 2026

Trump says U.S. blockade in Strait of Hormuz to be lifted

U.S. President Donald Trump says a U.S. naval blockade affecting ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be lifted, following days of disruption in one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said vessels delayed in the strait “may start the process of ‘heading home,’” adding that the blockade had been “amazing and unprecedented.” According to international energy agencies, roughly 20 per cent of global crude oil shipments move through the Strait of Hormuz during peacetime. The narrow waterway along Iran’s southern coast is considere
AlbertaMay 29, 2026

Warm temperatures raise Bow River levels, High Streamflow Advisory issued in Banff

Rapid snowpack melt caused by warm weather in Banff and surrounding mountain regions has pushed water levels higher along the Bow River, prompting the Town of Banff to issue a High Streamflow Advisory. Municipal officials said several low-lying pathways and riverbank areas have already been flooded as water levels continue to rise. According to the advisory, the Bow River could rise by an additional 30 centimetres by Friday if warm temperatures persist. The advisory applies to areas from upstream of Banff to the Ghost Reservoir. Lake Louise RCMP and Parks Canada have also issued public safety
BCMay 29, 2026

B.C. Conservatives to choose new leader Saturday as party faces post-Rustad crossroads

The B.C. Conservatives are set to announce a new party leader on Saturday in Vancouver, concluding a six-month leadership race triggered by John Rustad’s resignation following internal disputes and caucus defections. The final candidates are former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, political commentator Caroline Elliott, former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MLA Peter Milobar and entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer. The next leader will take over as Premier David Eby’s NDP government faces declining poll numbers, a development political analysts say could reshape British Columbia’s political lands
IndiaMay 29, 2026

AAP takes early lead in Punjab municipal election results

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party appeared headed for a strong showing in Punjab’s municipal elections as vote counting continued Thursday across the state. According to results available by 6 p.m. local time, the Aam Aadmi Party had won 880 wards and was leading in several others. Congress was in second place with 354 ward victories as of 5 p.m., while the Shiromani Akali Dal had secured 175 wards and the Bharatiya Janata Party had won 146 wards. Independent candidates won 245 wards. In Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s constituency of Dhuri, the Aam Aadmi Party won 20 of 21 seats, according to the
canada-enters-technical-recession-after-second-straight-quarterly-gdp-decline
CanadaMay 29, 2026

Canada enters technical recession after second straight quarterly GDP decline

Canada’s economy contracted for a second consecutive quarter, officially placing the country in a technical recession for the first time since 2020. According to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada, real gross domestic product declined at an annualized rate of 0.1 per cent during the first quarter of 2026. The economy had already posted a 1 per cent decline in the fourth quarter of 2025. Economists generally define a technical recession as two straight quarters of negative economic growth. Statistics Canada said increased gold imports and a slowdown in the oil and gas sector during

Related News