OTTAWA — Leo Varadkar, Ireland's taoiseach, or prime minister, will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Montreal's Pride parade during a three-day visit that gets underway Saturday.
The two leaders met in Ireland in July, shortly after Varadkar took office as the country's first openly gay prime minister.
Trudeau says he and Varadkar plan to discuss issues related to diversity and inclusion and how both countries can benefit from the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which goes into effect next month.
Trudeau's office says the Sunday event will mark the first time a foreign leader has joined the prime minister in a Canadian Pride parade.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/leo-varadkar2@#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the prime minister stresses the close ties between the two countries, saying over 4.5 million canadians claimed irish ancestry in 2011.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
he also says the two-way economic links are strong.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"our two countries enjoy strong family ties, common values, and a shared history," trudeau said in a statement. "now we are collaborating again to ensure that ceta creates good, well-paying middle class jobs on both sides of the atlantic."</div>
<div>
</div>
<blockquote class=)
i’m pleased to announce that irish taoiseach leo varadkar will visit canada later this week: https://t.co/myqhyhm0xe
— justin trudeau (@justintrudeau) august 15, 2017 .jpg" alt="" style="max-width:640px;" />MORE National ARTICLES
Hot, Smoky Conditions Continue For B.C. Interior, South Coast
VANCOUVER — Environment Canada's air quality advisory and special weather statement have been extended for much of British Columbia's south coast.
Hot, Smoky Conditions Continue For B.C. Interior, South Coast
Growth Of Same-sex Marriage In Canada More Practicality Than Principle
Laura and Jen O'Connor got married for all the romantic, fairy-tale reasons: after seven years together, they were deeply in love and wanted to start a family. But on another level, they thought it might just make their life together a little easier.
Growth Of Same-sex Marriage In Canada More Practicality Than Principle
Toronto Boy, 6, Killed By Toronto Father In Apparent Murder-Suicide
TORONTO — A young boy and his father have been found dead in a Toronto apartment in what is believed to be a murder-suicide.
Toronto Boy, 6, Killed By Toronto Father In Apparent Murder-Suicide
200 Kilograms Of Hash Found Hidden In Shipment Of Chocolate Bars In Halifax
HALIFAX — Officials say an attempt to smuggle 200 kilograms of hash by hiding it in chocolate bars was foiled by border officers and an X-ray machine in Halifax.
200 Kilograms Of Hash Found Hidden In Shipment Of Chocolate Bars In Halifax
Body Found In Burned SUV In Surrey
Crews have closed a stretch of 24th Avenue in Surrey, B.C. after a body was discovered in a burned-out SUV.
Body Found In Burned SUV In Surrey
Jagmeet Singh Leads NDP Leadership Fundraising Figures In Second Quarter
Financial reports filed with Elections Canada for the second quarter of 2017 indicate that the Ontario MPP has pulled in $353,944 since joining the race to replace Tom Mulcair in mid-May.