Justin Trudeau

BE-STEMM: Conference highlighting Black excellence in sciences draws participants from across Canada

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 20:09:34 +0000

BE-STEMM: Conference highlighting Black excellence in sciences draws participants from across Canada

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 02/04/2022 - 15:09

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�山ǿ�� Scarborough's Maydianne Andrade, co-founder and president of the Canadian Black Scientists Network, hosted BE-STEMM 2022, a four-day virtual event that brought Black-identifying scientists together (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Alexa Battler

Topic

Our Community

Black

Justin Trudeau

STEM

�山ǿ�� Scarborough

More than 1,500 people registered for the first national conference for Black excellence in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine and health (STEMM), which included a live visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The University of Toronto’s Maydianne Andrade opened the virtual event by explaining that the event’s title – BE-STEMM 2022 – was also an expression of its mission.

“It was a message for youth to be STEMM, to see themselves in STEMM,” says Andrade, professor in the department of biological sciences at �山ǿ�� Scarborough. “We seek a Canada where people of all identities can pursue their passion for STEMM with the support of the systems they need.”

Organized by the Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN) and hosted by �山ǿ�� Scarborough, the four-day event focused on ways to remove barriers keeping Black Canadians from entering or staying in STEMM. About 80 per cent of registrants identified as Black, and two-thirds were young people.

Trudeau delivered closing remarks on Thursday.

“By coming together to amplify the achievements of Black Canadians in STEMM, you're helping to level the playing field and inspire a new generation,” said Trudeau after thanking Andrade, president and co-founder of the CBSN, for her leadership.

“To young people joining today: retain everything you can,” Trudeau added. “Take the next steps to seek out mentors and sponsors and stay curious. Remember there is more than enough space for your passion and your dedication in our world.”

Invited by Justin Trudeau, �山ǿ��'s Lana El Sanyoura addresses fellow graduates across the country

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:06:03 +0000

Invited by Justin Trudeau, �山ǿ��'s Lana El Sanyoura addresses fellow graduates across the country

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 06/10/2020 - 13:06

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Lana El Sanyoura, who graduated from �山ǿ�� with a degree in cognitive science and computer science, was one of four students invited to Ottawa by Justin Trudeau to deliver an address to the country's graduating class (photo by Adam Scotti)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Justin Trudeau

Victoria College

As a recent University of Toronto graduate, Lana El Sanyoura is no stranger to meeting deadlines and occasionally working late into the night.

Yet, yesterday evening, El Sanyoura received an assignment unlike any other she’s faced over the last four years: an invitation to come to Ottawa and join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in an address to the class of 2020 – right across Canada.

She hopped into a car shortly after 8 p.m. and, with her mom at the wheel, pulled out her laptop to draft her remarks. She watched Michelle Obama’s 2020 commencement speech for inspiration and FaceTimed her dad in Lebanon for feedback.

Before stepping up to the lecturn the next morning, El Sanyoura says she felt a weight of responsibility to share words of hope with fellow students graduating at a extraordinarily challenging time in history – and one in which the class of 2020 is needed to make positive changes.

“We are faced with an unprecedented pandemic, systemic injustice in various forms and an unstable climate that is changing life as we know it,” El Sanyoura said in her remarks.

“So let’s ask ourselves: How can we use our education, our tools as graduates and our voices to make a difference?”

For El Sanyoura, a Victoria College student who graduated with an undergraduate degree in cognitive science and computer science from the Faculty of Arts & Science, that means making sure that the benefits of technology are shared evenly and that machine learning is free of unfair biases. She says she chose to study at �山ǿ�� because it offered her a path to combine her passions in science, math, the human mind, art and self-expression.

El Sanyoura was one of just four Canadian university graduates invited to Ottawa to participate in the address to the country’s graduating class alongside the Prime Minister.

Trudeau praised El Sanyoura for her work building community in her department, where she co-founded a club for women in computer science, taught programming workshops and mentored other students.

She won the Konrad Women in Tech Scholarship, the John H. Moss Scholarship and conducted original research projects in language learning and culture shift in Assistant Professor Yang Xu’s Cognitive Lexicon Lab. She also interned at Intel, participated in research at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and was twice named MVP on her intramural basketball team.

On top of all that, El Sanyoura is a songwriter, choreographer, filmmaker and photographer.

As an undergraduate student, El Sanyoura said she learned to be resilient and bounce back from disappointment.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with graduates, including �山ǿ��’s Lana El Sanyoura (far right), in Ottawa (photo by Adam Scotti)

That message was echoed by Trudeau when it was his turn at the microphone. He commended the class of 2020 for the work they put into obtaining their degrees and noted the challenges they face.

“No student gets to choose the world into which they graduate, but if you could – and let’s be honest here – you probably wouldn’t have chosen the world of 2020,” he said, listing events like the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which killed eight �山ǿ�� community members, the Nova Scotia shootings and COVID-19.

“The choices you will make, both big and small, in the next few years will decide the future of our country, and of our world, and I cannot think of a generation better prepared to set us on the right path forward.”

Lana El Sanyoura is pictured here with her mother and partner, Malek Singer (photo by Alison Evans)

El Sanyoura, who is currently working for Amazon, reserved the last part of her speech to thank essential workers, health-care professionals and everyone who helped the graduates of 2020 achieve their goals – in her case, her mother and father, Randa and Ayman El Sanyoura.

She will return to �山ǿ�� in the fall to begin a master’s degree in computer science.

Trudeau at �山ǿ��: Canada and U.S. are “two countries that have grown up together”

lanthierj — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 19:06:58 +0000

Trudeau at �山ǿ��: Canada and U.S. are “two countries that have grown up together”

lanthierj Thu, 06/22/2017 - 15:06

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University of Toronto students greet the prime minister on his arrival at Rotman School of Management (photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Jennifer Robinson

Author legacy

Jennifer Robinson

Topic

Martin Prosperity Institute

Rotman School of Management

Subheadline

Martin Prosperity Institute hosts talk with New York Times

In navigating the complexities of the Canada-United States trade relationship, it’s important for both countries to remember that “mutual benefit is the only thing that has benefit,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the University of Toronto today.

With an estimated nine million jobs and a trillion dollars in trade at stake, the importance of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can’t be understated, he said in a sold out, 60-minute conversation with The New York Times.

The talk, which featured chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and Canadian bureau chief Catherine Porter, was organized with the Martin Prosperity Institute at �山ǿ��’s Rotman School of Management.

Trudeau entered Desautels Hall to the sound of cheers from students lined up on the pink staircase at Rotman eager to get his photo.

Once inside, he was jokingly described by Baker as “the Trump whisperer” as he was questioned about how his government is negotiating Canada’s relationship with its superpower neighbour.

As “two countries that have grown up together,” there are “massive levels of intersectionality” between us making it “extremely important for the prime minister and the president to have a constructive working relationship,” Trudeau told the packed room.

“He’s a businessman, a dealmaker. He’s someone who knows how to interact socially at a very effective level. And one of the things I’ve learned is he actually does listen,” Trudeau said of Trump.

“I can understand the laughter,” he said, reacting to the audience. “He will be open to shifting his position and that’s something we can definitely work with.”

As an example, Trudeau referred to a conversation he had with Trump a few weeks ago after news leaked the president was seriously considering tearing up NAFTA.

Trudeau said he told Trump that abruptly terminating the 25-year-old agreement would cause “tremendous disruption” to businesses, communities and workers on both sides of the border – but Canada was open to “renegotiating or updating” the agreement.

“There was an openness to that” by Trump, he said.

Instead of focusing on areas where they disagree, he said the two world leaders discuss issues on which they share common views. He also disagreed with a Times story that his government is using a “doughnut” approach to American relations by going around Trump to reach out to mayors, governors and business leaders to further its interests.

Read Canada's Trump Strategy: Go Around Him

“I think of it is as a bun – there is no hole,” Trudeau said, adding Canada’s “whole government” approach makes sense since states and provinces, not to mention industries and cities, have longstanding relationships with each other.

The talk marked the first major sit-down interview with Trudeau on Canadian foreign policy after a speech by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister (and �山ǿ�� area member of Parliament) Chrystia Freeland to the House of Commons on June 6.

Freeland was among the notable Canadians in the room today, along with alumna and former governor general Adrienne Clarkson.

Although it was interpreted by media and experts as a significant change in Canada’s foreign policy direction in the age of Trump's more inward-looking, protectionist stance, Trudeau said “it was a bit of a sequel” to a speech by Louis St-Laurent in the 1940s that laid out Canadian foreign policy independence from Great Britain.

Canada will continue to chart its own path, he explained and “even close friends like the United States . . . don’t want Canada either to be or be seen as simply an extension of American policy.”

�山ǿ�� President Meric Gertler, who officially welcomed the Times and the prime minister to campus, praised the Trudeau government for its “deft handling” of Canada’s “most important international relationship.”

“It has been very encouraging to see Canada reasserting its traditional role as a constructive, outward looking, globally engaged player on the world stage,” Gertler said.

“And this in turn is a source of hope for all those — including the citizens of our greatest friend and ally — who share our commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

Watch a video of the entire event below:

Trudeau and Obama have a long list of issues to discuss, says �山ǿ��’s Peter Loewen

sgupta — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:34:49 +0000

Trudeau and Obama have a long list of issues to discuss, says �山ǿ��’s Peter Loewen sgupta Tue, 03/08/2016 - 09:34

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (seen here recently announcing a $20 million grant to �山ǿ��'s Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine) is expected to get along well with President Obama (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Noreen Ahmed-Ullah

Author legacy

Noreen Ahmed-Ullah

Topic

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau begins his three-day visit to Washington on Wednesday, he’ll be feted at a lavish White House state dinner – the first for a Canadian leader in 19 years.

With Trudeau’s star power on the rise and a 60 Minutes interview that aired this past weekend, there’s heightened American interest in our prime minister. �山ǿ�� News spoke to political science associate professor Peter Loewen, director of Munk's Centre for the Study of the United States, about Trudeau’s celebrity status and how it can work to Canada’s advantage.

What is behind the Trudeau appeal at this time? Can it help Canada?

There are a few factors here, I suspect. First, our politics are increasingly focused on elements of celebrity. Mr. Trudeau can deliver on these elements. He’s well-spoken, good-looking, and he has a wonderfully charming family. Second, up against the current crop of American presidential candidates, he must be a refreshing face. The Democrats are currently choosing between two candidates who are 68 and 74 years old. The Republicans are choosing between a vulgar and brash 69-year-old businessman and various younger opponents who, in my estimation, seem either shallow or rather unlikeable. What a cast! Against this, we have a Canadian prime minister who is refined, polite, and likeable. He embodies general change. Now, whether this star power will do anything to move the needle on the files that are important to Canadians remains to be seen. I suspect that once in the Oval Office, it doesn’t matter too much how charming you are or how nice is your family!

What are some of the issues that Obama and Trudeau will be discussing?

I imagine there will be a long list. In my estimation, the story that is not told enough about Canadian-American relations is how well they operate. We have a border over which immense amounts of goods are traded, most often with little impediment. Increasingly, we also see the free movement of citizens over these borders. And, we have unfathomable amounts of cultural exchange (though many rightly worry that this is too one-directional and occasionally overwhelming). Now, I don’t expect them to spend time on the 90 per cent of things which are going well, but I do hope there will be some emphasis in the coverage of the Canadian visit!

Not all is rosy, of course. There are some points of contention which we can imagine will be points of discussion. First, the U.S. government was rightly upset over Canada’s withdrawal from the bombing mission against ISIS. Whatever the merits of Canada’s current position – and there are merits, to be sure – the process was one that was not fair to our allies, who rightly expect clarity and purpose when undertaking a large collective military effort. Second, Canada and the U.S. are both in the final stages of ratifying the Trans Pacific Partnership. Mr. Trudeau likely hopes to push this agreement through Parliament without large degrees of debate or amendment. That’s possible in our system. It is not in the American congressional framework, so I imagine there will be some discussion of how the agreement can be ratified in both countries without carve outs in the U.S. causing too much friction in Canada. Finally, Canada still has landlocked oil in Alberta. It appears more difficult by the day to imagine how a pipeline will be built to move this oil. Mr. Trudeau will likely take at least one more kick at the can on the Keystone XL pipeline. At this point, that appears as achievable as retrofitting pipelines for Energy East or running oil over the Coastal mountains.

Can we expect any agreements to come out of the visit?

To be honest, I don’t know. I imagine there will be very positive language about the Canada-U.S. relationship and any disagreements will be downplayed.

How would you describe the Obama-Trudeau relationship. Do they get along? And what about the presidential contenders: will Trudeau be visiting any?

I imagine Obama and Trudeau get along just fine, but I also suspect that just getting along with a president won’t do all that much if American interests are opposed to Canadian interests. These bilateral negotiations are serious business, and merely being friends is not enough to move the needle, especially for a president up against an oppositional and difficult Congress. As they say, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.

As for presidential candidates, if I were Trudeau I wouldn’t get too close to the Democratic contest, unless he can meet with both candidates. There’s nothing to be gained in meeting with candidates in a race that has farther to go than most realize.

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Throne speech: promises to keep, challenges to meet

sgupta — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:32:28 +0000

Throne speech: promises to keep, challenges to meet sgupta Tue, 12/08/2015 - 05:32

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His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, opened the first session of the 42nd Parliament of Canada with the Speech from the Throne on December 4, 2015. (Photo by MCpl Vincent Carbonneau/Office of the Secretary to the

Alan Christie

Author legacy

Alan Christie

More News

Justin Trudeau

Subheadline

�山ǿ�� experts weigh in on cities spending, U.S. relations, electoral reform

Assistant Professor Theresa Enright was looking for a “concerted national urban strategy” in the federal government’s Speech from the Throne on Nov. 4 but came away disappointed.

Associate Professor Chris Cochrane wasn’t surprised by anything in the speech, and believes that while some promises will be easily kept, others face major challenges.

And Associate Professor Peter Loewen believes the commitment to strengthen Canada’s ties with the United States will be severely tested, especially over President Barack Obama’s rejection of the Keystone pipeline.

“Cities played a key role in the federal election,” said Enright, an assistant professor in the department of political science focusing on urban and regional studies. “The Prime Ministerial candidates focused their campaigns in urban regions and almost all of the major political parties devoted large segments of their respective platforms to urban issues.

“Owing in part to the reorganization of ridings since the last election, cities and suburbs across Canada – and in particular those across the GTA – largely delivered the Liberal victory. It is no surprise, then, that city leaders and city dwellers have been expecting a lot from the new government.”

The speech paid attention to urban issues, Enright said, but offered few substantive details on a national urban strategy. “On the one hand, Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau confirmed his commitment to infrastructure spending.

“If his multi-billion dollar promises are kept, this investment will undoubtedly benefit cities that are struggling to provide and maintain public transportation, affordable housing and vital social services,” Enright said. “It will also aid cities as they adapt their built environments to deal with the uncertain effects of global warming.

“On the other hand, despite Trudeau’s election pledge of a ‘new deal’ for cities, there was no specific mention in the throne speech of cities, an explicit urban agenda, or stable federal-municipal partnerships.”

(Image below by Jason Krygier-Baum)

“This oversight reflects a familiar reluctance on behalf of recent federal governments to establish a more formal role in urban affairs,” Enright said. “Overall, the priorities outlined in the throne speech offer cities hope, but it still remains to be seen where cities will factor into the government’s new vision for Canada.”

Cochrane, an associate professor of political science, said the speech reiterated promises made during the election campaign: a tax cut for the middle class, a new Canada child benefit and investment in infrastructure. It also committed the government to electoral and Senate reform.

The Liberals will hold an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and seek closer ties with the United States while working diplomatically through the United Nations.

”Some of these items will be easy to implement,” Cochrane said. “The tax cut for middle-income earners and the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women will be implemented in very short order.

“The government can also change its posture internationally and re-engage at the United Nations.”

Referendums on electoral reform at the provincial level, Cochrane said, suggest that a consensus on the federal system will be elusive. “Many people want change, but there is little agreement on what that change should look like. The Liberals stand to benefit from a ranked ballot, the NDP from proportional representation, and the Conservatives from the status quo.

“If the electoral rules become politicized along party lines, as I suspect they will, then the government may choose to reconsider its plan of proceeding, unilaterally, without a referendum.”

Loewen is an associate professor of political science and director of the Centre for the Study of the United States at the Munk School of Global Affairs. He was asked whether there are issues that will test the relationship Canada has with the U.S.

“There certainly are, the continued rejection of Keystone first among them,” he said. “There are two things any incoming Prime Minister should know [about relations with the U.S.]. First, 95 per cent of things are easily solved, because we have mutual interests and incentives and a lot of good will. On the other five per cent, friendliness doesn’t go a long way.”

The government committed itself to end the use of government advertising for partisan purposes and allow more free votes in the House of Commons. Loewen was asked how realistic those goals are.

“The first is very realistic and should be applauded,” Loewen said. “The second is much more difficult to achieve. The incentives for leaders to whip votes are very strong and thus hard to overcome. But, on this, I really hope it has a shot.”

(See the original of the above photo at the website of the Office of the Secretary to Governor General)

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Why Canada should accept 100,000 refugees and help “knock ISIS off its pedestal”

sgupta — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 07:22:25 +0000

Why Canada should accept 100,000 refugees and help “knock ISIS off its pedestal” sgupta Tue, 12/01/2015 - 02:22

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Withdrawing from the bombing of ISIS is “playing to the quaint Canadian delusion that we make peace while other, morally inferior, nations make war,” Professor Hansen says (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Alan Christie

Author legacy

Alan Christie

Justin Trudeau

BE-STEMM: Conference highlighting Black excellence in sciences draws participants from across Canada

Read more about the event at CBC

Read more about the event at CityNews

Invited by Justin Trudeau, �山ǿ��'s Lana El Sanyoura addresses fellow graduates across the country

Trudeau at �山ǿ��: Canada and U.S. are “two countries that have grown up together”

Read Canada's Trump Strategy: Go Around Him

Trudeau and Obama have a long list of issues to discuss, says �山ǿ��’s Peter Loewen

Throne speech: promises to keep, challenges to meet

Why Canada should accept 100,000 refugees and help “knock ISIS off its pedestal”

Read more about the panel discussion