The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to Canada for his first official visit from October 27-28, 2022.
The United States is Canada's closest partner and strongest ally, and the two countries have the deepest of friendships. At a time when the rules-based international order is being challenged and democracy is threatened, our two countries are stronger when they stand together.
Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken discussed their continued cooperation in response to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the threat it continues to pose to international security.
They also discussed the situation in Iran and the need to continue showing solidarity with the people of Iran, including women and girls, who are at the forefront of challenging the regime's repressive policies. Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken look forward to enhanced coordination between our two countries to stop Iran from providing weapons to Russia's military to attack Ukraine and to sanction Iranian officials who help to suppress human rights.
Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken also discussed how they will continue to help Haiti and support Haitian-led solutions to the humanitarian, security, and political crises. They agreed to work closely in efforts to restore peace in Haiti, and that in the immediate term, we must see a humanitarian truce to restore the supply of fuel, water and food. This will allow the Haitian people to meet their basic needs and allow hospitals to respond to the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken discussed efforts to strengthen international peace and security, including through deepened engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. They agreed to hold the first Canada-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific in early 2023. This fulfils last year's commitment by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden to establish a regionally-focused dialogue to promote security, the rule of law and good governance, among other shared priorities.
Secretary Blinken and Minister Joly discussed another top priority for Canada and the U.S. - the Arctic. Canada looks forward to hosting the second Canada-U.S. Arctic Dialogue in the coming months. Canada and the U.S. will also develop a plan to deepen strong Arctic security coordination and enhance protection against current and future security challenges affecting the region.
In Ottawa, Secretary Blinken and Minister Joly met with Ukrainians who fled the war, and condemned Russia's brutal, illegal and unjustifiable invasion. This winter in Ukraine, Canada will work to help keep Ukrainian citizens safe and warm, and will provide military assistance and loan guarantees to help them respond to Russian attacks on their energy infrastructure.
In Montreal, Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken met with Université de Montréal students to discuss how Canada and the U.S. work together as close allies in the face of global upheaval.
They visited the Jean-Talon Market to meet Les Filles Fattoush, an award-winning social enterprise that provides Syrian refugee women a chance to work and helps bridge cultures through traditional Syrian cooking and ingredients.
Additionally, Minister Joly and Secretary Blinken visited Lithion Recycling, a Quebec start-up that supports Canada's goal of a successful transition to clean energy.
