National

Prime Minister Trudeau calls for return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Oct, 2024 10:39 AM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on countries around the world to do everything possible to repatriate Ukrainian children taken by Russia.

Trudeau addressed delegations from more than 70 countries at a conference in Montreal this morning, as they prepare a joint declaration for the return of Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war.

He said Ukrainians are looking to the international community to do everything it can to protect their country's people and its identity, after the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

His speech followed video testimony from a Ukrainian teenager who recounted his kidnapping and the obligations imposed by his Russian guards before he could reunite with his family.

The Ukrainian government estimates that 19,500 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia and 1,800 civilians are unlawfully detained in the country, a senior Canadian official told The Canadian Press during a background briefing on Wednesday.

The two-day conference will wrap up with a press conference this afternoon hosted by Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Crucial B.C. election recounts won't start until Sunday afternoon

Voting officials say recounts in two ridings that could determine the outcome of British Columbia's election won't start until Sunday afternoon — and it won't be until Monday before the makeup of the legislature is finalized. The updated timeline provided by Elections BC says results of the Surrey City Centre recount will be posted on its website on Sunday when it is complete, while the outcome from Juan De Fuca—Malahat will be posted when it is finished the next day.

Crucial B.C. election recounts won't start until Sunday afternoon

Joly at Paris summit on Lebanon as Canadian donation-matching goal falling short

France hosted dozens of countries at the summit on Thursday, which it said had raised US$1 billion in pledges for Lebanon. A fifth of that is for the country's military while the rest is targeted at humanitarian aid.

Joly at Paris summit on Lebanon as Canadian donation-matching goal falling short

More rain in B.C. forecast, although 'nothing' compared to atmospheric river

The District of North Vancouver is getting ready for another bout of rain after an atmospheric river weather system drenched B.C.'s south coast last weekend, triggering a mudslide and localized flooding that killed at least three people. The North Shore mountains could see another 75 millimetres of rain this weekend, and Lisa Muri, a councillor with the district, says staff are preparing by cleaning up culverts and placing sandbags throughout the community.

More rain in B.C. forecast, although 'nothing' compared to atmospheric river

Facts about the B.C. Greens who could be kingmakers in the legislature

Two Green Party legislators could hold the balance of power in British Columbia after Saturday's provincial election gave neither the NDP nor the B.C. Conservatives a majority of seats after the initial count. Both Green members are new to provincial politics, although leader Sonia Furstenau will continue to lead the party after she lost re-election when she switched ridings to Victoria-Beacon Hill.

Facts about the B.C. Greens who could be kingmakers in the legislature

Coroner says there's been a sharp spike in females dying from illicit drugs in B.C.

Illicit drug deaths are down slightly in British Columbia from the same period last year, but the coroners service says females are dying at a much higher rate. The service says in a statement that 26 per cent of the 1,749 toxicity deaths so far this year were women or girls, and the rate of death among females is up 60 per cent from four years ago.

Coroner says there's been a sharp spike in females dying from illicit drugs in B.C.

Trudeau says he will remain prime minister despite caucus revolt

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no intention of stepping down as the leader of the Liberal party by next week. A letter signed by two dozen Liberal MPs asking Trudeau to step down was presented to the prime minister Wednesday at a tense caucus meeting in Ottawa.