Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Mr. President, I am pleased to welcome you and the entire Italian delegation to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada.

Perhaps nothing speaks to the strength of our relationship more than the fact that we are celebrating 70 years of bilateral relations this year, the same year as Canada’s sesquicentennial.

Your arrival is indeed cause for celebration. Canada and Italy enjoy so many different avenues of co-operation through which we can build smarter, more caring societies.

As close friends and partners in Europe, we share such a deep and rich bond based on common vision and purpose, as well as people-to-people ties.

In fact, Italian-Canadians are making important contributions to our country’s development and are reinforcing what we already know—that we can do so much by working together.

With that in mind, this visit is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationships that are at the heart of good diplomacy. I am certain that during your time here, you will find Canadians to be warm, engaging, and interested in learning about Italy.

Learning, as it happens, is an important aspect of our partnership. Together, Canadians and Italians are studying, researching and innovating together, both here in Canada and in your country.

I look forward to discussing our learning and innovation ties with you, and to exploring our great potential.

Together, I am certain we can further our partnership by building upon our shared values and celebrating our already strong relationship.

Once again, I welcome you to Rideau Hall and to Canada in the spirit of friendship and respect.

Thank you.