Canadian military to step up engagement with Indo-Pacific, says Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada’s upcoming Indo-Pacific strategy will include new investments to strengthen the role of Canadian forces in the region.

Prime Minister Trudeau is in Thailand to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference, which was sidetracked after North Korea fired a ballistic missile into Japanese waters.

The United States convened an emergency meeting with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Prime Minister Trudeau told five colleagues that Canada will continue its role in the UN mission to monitor sanctions against North Korea.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Trudeau called North Korea’s latest move “reckless” and said it must not continue.

Trudeau announced that Ottawa would spend $13.5 million to set up a team to form energy partnerships in Canada and Asia, before being sidelined to discuss North Korea’s move with other leaders.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published on November 18, 2022.