Timeline of past five state dinners for prime ministers

It’s been 19 years since the leaders of Canada and the U.S. had a dinner quite like this. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is following in the footsteps of his father, is the guest of honour this week in Washington for a state dinner with President Barack Obama. Aside from the glitz and glamour at this hot-ticket event, the environment is expected to be a major topic of discussion. CTVNews.ca’s Steven Kuran takes a look back at the major concerns of past visits.

It’s been 19 years since the prime minister of Canada has been invited to Washington for a state dinner.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is following in the footsteps of his father, will be the guest of honour at the White House.

Aside from the glitz and glamour at the hot-ticket state dinner, the environment is expected to be a major topic of discussion. CTVNews.ca's Steven Kuran takes a look at past visits to Washington by Canadian prime ministers, and what was on their agendas.

April. 8, 1997: Clintons host Jean Chretien and wife Aline

Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife Aline Chretien are welcomed by President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton.

Agenda: Endangered animals, expanding NATO and trade promotion.

The Menu: The meal consisted of fiddlehead fern, herb-crusted lamb with artichokes and spring vegetables, and maple cured salmon, with a dessert of raspberry and chocolate truffle ring mold. After-dinner dancing was held in the East Room. (All menu information from the White House Historical Association).

April. 27, 1988: Reagans host a second state dinner for the Mulroneys

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and wife Mila are greeted by President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan at the North Portico.

Agenda: Mulroney was told by Reagan that he was delighted to hear about Canada’s use of U.S.-designed nuclear-powered submarine technology. During the visit, the two leaders also pledged to work together to tackle the acid rain issue.

The Menu: The state dinner featured roast loin of veal, shrimp mousse, smoked salmon, sweet red pepper puree, watercress and radicchio, and pineapple champagne sorbet for dessert.

March 18, 1986: Brian and Mila Mulroney’s first visit to White House  

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and wife Mila Mulroney are seen inside the White house after meeting during the ceremony on the south lawn.

Agenda: Before the state dinner, Mulroney and Reagan discussed the acid rain issue and agreed to an extension of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Both the president and the prime minister approved a plan to join the development of a manned space station.

The Menu: The Mulroneys and Reagans enjoyed angel hair pasta with seafood, goat cheese, chicken vol-au-vent supreme, fennel and red leaf lettuce salad and dessert of pistachio marquise with petits fours.

Feb. 21, 1977: State visit of Pierre Trudeau

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and President Jimmy Carter shake hands on the South Lawn of the White House the day after the state dinner on Feb. 22, 1977.

Agenda: Trudeau was Carter’s second-ever state visitor. The leaders discussed oil and natural gas exports from Canada to the United States. They also addressed the possibility of Quebec separating from the rest of Canada -- a hot topic at the time.

The Menu: All guests feasted on Alaska king crab, glazed carrots, saddle of lamb, salad and spinach timbale with orange sherbet ambrosia and cookies for dessert.

March 24. 1969: Pierre Trudeau’s first state visit to the United States

The prime minister addresses the National Press Club in Washington before his dinner with President Richard Nixon.

Agenda: Addressing the Press Club in Washington. General views on world issues and relations between the U.S. and Canada. Trade between the two countries dominated and Trudeau famously said: ‘Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt’.

The Menu: The guests dined on artichoke, beef filet jardinière, Bibb lettuce, camembert cheese, cocotte potatoes and seafood Americaine.