Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal held a joint press conference in Ottawa today following their participation in a signing ceremony. The event marked the culmination of Attal’s official three-day visit to Canada, which also included stops in Quebec City and Montreal.
The press conference, held at the Canadian Parliament, underscored the strong bilateral relationship between Canada and France and highlighted key areas of cooperation between the two nations.
During the conference, Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration in promoting the French language and Francophone culture. He noted Canada’s commitment to protecting and promoting the French language both domestically and internationally.
Prime Minister Attal echoed Trudeau’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of linguistic and cultural diversity in fostering global understanding and cooperation. He commended Canada’s efforts to support Francophone communities and expressed France’s continued commitment to advancing shared values and interests with Canada.
One of the central themes of the press conference was the issue of discoverability of French-language content, particularly in the digital age. Both leaders underscored the importance of ensuring access to French-language media and literature, both within their respective countries and globally.
Trudeau and Attal also addressed concerns about the economic challenges facing France, including issues related to public finances and political stability. Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s confidence in France’s ability to navigate these challenges and expressed solidarity with the French government in its efforts to address them.
In response to questions about foreign interference in democratic processes, both leaders emphasized the importance of vigilance and cooperation in safeguarding against such threats. They highlighted the need for international collaboration to combat disinformation and cyber threats, underscoring the role of democratic nations in protecting the integrity of elections and public discourse.
The press conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the strong partnership between Canada and France and a commitment to continued collaboration on shared priorities. Trudeau and Attal expressed optimism about the future of Franco-Canadian relations and pledged to work together to address common challenges and seize opportunities for mutual benefit.
As Prime Minister Attal’s visit to Canada comes to a close, both leaders expressed gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen ties between their respective countries and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared values and interests on the global stage.