December 10, 2024

Check against delivery

Today, we gather on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples. Land acknowledgements are a way to show respect to Indigenous peoples, who have taken care of these lands for thousands of years.

Over the course of your mandates, you will often hear about the reconciliation journey that is taking place in Canada.

I invite you to join Canadians in listening to Indigenous peoples to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives.

Today, I am pleased to welcome heads of mission from Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Malaysia, Denmark and Italy.

Congratulations on your new positions!

As a former ambassador, my advice to all of you is to find out what people are passionate about here—that’s the best way to understand this country, its strengths and its challenges.

Find out more about the diaspora communities in Canada and the rich contributions they make to Canadian society, and our economy and culture.

Listening is the cornerstone of diplomacy.

Our nations have a long history of working together on shared priorities. It’s through our conversations and by sharing our expertise that we can develop solutions to today’s most pressing issues.

Global peace and security.

Sustainable development.

And climate change, of course.

Our stewardship of the lands, oceans and biodiversity connects us all.

Canada’s North is warming up three to four times faster than the global average. Inuit communities have been deeply affected.

Climate change is endangering the core of Inuit livelihoods – traditional hunting and fishing. This, combined with the increasing costs of imported food, puts their self-sufficiency at risk.

Those of you from countries where rising temperatures are turning arable land into deserts will understand how unsettling that kind of change is.

Together, we can build the greener future that our children deserve.

For those of you who have come here with families, I want to welcome you warmly.

I hope that your time here will reward you with rich experiences and new friendships that will last a lifetime.

Welcome to Canada!