Trudeau to push growth at leaders’ summits

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will use his first worldwide trip as an opportunity to show other nations there is an economic – as well as humanitarian – case for welcoming large numbers of Syrian refugees.

The annual G20 leaders’ summit is followed immediately by a leaders summit for Asia Pacific countries in the Philippines, after which Trudeau returns to Canada for the first minister’s meeting before leaving again for London, Malta and Paris.

Justin Trudeau says he’s “absolutely delighted” to meet the queen.

“Today, I join Canada’s Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities in recognizing the occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas”, Trudeau said.

“Leadership on the world stage, showing this can be done and should be done”, the prime minister said.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper met with First Nation leaders twice during his almost eight years in power, but little progress emerged from those encounters.

“I believe in investment rather than austerity”, said Trudeau, who campaigned on a promise to boost spending on infrastructure, even if it means running modest deficits. He also promised during the campaign to withdraw Canadian fighter jets from the U.S.-led coalition that’s bombing Islamic militants in Syria and Iraq.

Many of them will also accompany Trudeau to the UN Conference of Parties, which opens with more than 115 heads of state and government in the French capital on November 30, aiming to secure a deal to stave off catastrophic climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

He said that he and Obama would be working together to ensure the Paris climate summit – the fourth summit Trudeau will attend this month – would be a success.

Netizens are hopeful that Trudeau, who will be in Manila during the APEC Summit, will heed their calls to “do the right thing”.

Trudeau said Thursday he is committed to consulting with Canadians on the TPP, and having a full debate in Parliament on it.

Trudeau will leave Ottawa for Turkey just nine days after being sworn in and introducing his new cabinet to Canadians.