United Nations chief thanks Trudeau for ‘vigorous cooperation’

Liberal Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposals for his four-year term are projected to send Canada into the red in the neighborhood of $90 billion.

Trudeau says seeking a council seat meshes with his government’s plan to renew Canada’s relationship with the world body, which cooled under the previous government.

The previous Harper government was criticized for failing to make a strong bid for a council seat in 2010.

Canada will also provide $CAD840m ($609m) in humanitarian assistance over three years, and has allocated $270m to “build local capacity” in Jordan and Lebanon, which are hosting more than two million Syrian refugees.

Mr. Ban said this is the fifth time he has travelled to Canada as secretary-general, and the first time since Mr. Trudeau took office.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Trudeau will take part in a student assembly at an Ottawa high school Thursday afternoon followed by a dinner at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

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During the secretary-general’s visit, Trudeau said Canada will “reaffirm its commitment to the United Nations”, and highlight Canada’s commitment to global issues including “climate change and climate finance; the situation in Syria, Iraq, and surrounding countries; refugee resettlement; and the health of women and children around the world”.

“We’re looking at a number of windows in the coming years”.

Speaking to CKNW’s Simi Sara, Harjit Sajjan says Canada may not strike against ISIS from the air, but it has plenty to offer in acquiring and supplying intelligence to coalition forces. “We are going to evaluate the opportunities for Canada to mount a successful bid”. However, Trudeau’s promise that Canada would pull its jets was already part of his winning campaign.

Ban is expected to ask Trudeau to increase the number of troops deployed overseas on United Nations peacekeeping missions, notably in Haiti and in Central African Republic.

“I reiterated the commitment of our government to strengthen the UN’s ability to maintain worldwide peace and security, including by increasing support for peace operations and contributing more to mediation, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction efforts”.