Canada pledges more aid and loans to Ukraine as G7 targets Russian oil
Canada is ready to help other countries transition away from Russian oil and coal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday at the end of G7 summit in Germany centred on the war in Ukraine.
In their final communique for the meeting, the G7 leaders said they are working to make sure Russia suffers consequences for its invasion of Ukraine and does not exploit its position as an energy producer to profit from its aggression at the expense of vulnerable countries.
"We will continue to impose severe and immediate economic costs on President Putin's regime for its unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, while stepping up our efforts to counter its adverse and harmful regional and global impacts, including with a view to helping secure global energy and food security as well as stabilizing the economic recovery," said the document released on Tuesday.
The G7 includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
The conflict has squeezed energy markets in Europe and the security of the supply around the world. Over the course of the three-day summit, the leaders agreed to consider a cap on the price of crude oil and petroleum from Russia, and even a comprehensive ban on Russian oil and coal.
"Canada, obviously as an oil and gas producer, is ensuring that in the short term we're doing what we can to alleviate pressures," Trudeau said at a news conference at the close of the summit.
"We're also looking medium term at expanding some infrastructure, but in a way that hits that medium-term and long-term goal of accelerating transition, not just off Russian oil and gas, but off of all our dependence on fossil fuels."
The leaders agreed compromising on climate and biodiversity goals was not on the table to address the growing energy crisis.
The idea to ban Russian oil is still only in discussions, and would need to be implemented carefully to mitigate the potential fallout for vulnerable countries that rely on Russia for power.
The success of a price cap would also likely depend on co-operation from as many countries as possible, including India, which has been buying up inexpensive Russian oil.
On Monday, Trudeau met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was invited to the G7 summit by the host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Canadian prime minister said he and Modi had a "broad-ranging conversation" and that he is aware that Canada and India do not share the same position on Ukraine.
"I continued to impress upon him that we need to recognize the instability in the world right now was directly caused by Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and we're going to continue to have those conversations in a frank and direct way, because that's what the world needs," Trudeau said Tuesday.
Trudeau also met Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Tuesday, who said they would discuss solutions to the energy crisis.
"Canada is a big producer and so the perspective of Prime Minister Trudeau is important," he said.
Trudeau also said Canada remains determined to support Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On Sunday, just as the summit in Germany was about to begin, weeks of relative quiet in Kyiv were shattered when Russian missiles hit Ukraine's capital city.
On Monday, a Russian missile hit a shopping mall in the central city of Kremenchuk.
"It's important that the world doesn't lose its attention and focus over what's happening in Ukraine, we must and we will remain committed until Ukraine and democracy prevail," Trudeau told a news conference.
He announced more money for Ukraine on Tuesday, including a $200-million loan through the International Monetary Fund.
In addition to the loan to the Ukrainian government, Canada is giving $75 million in humanitarian assistance to help with operations in Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries. The aid will include the provision of in-kind food assistance, emergency cash and vouchers, protection, shelter and health services.
"If and when President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and Ukrainians decide it's time to negotiate or move forward to resolving, to ensure that Russia faces defeat in Ukraine, they need to be able to negotiate from a position of force, a position of strength," Trudeau said.
Earlier in the summit, Trudeau announced $52 million in agricultural aid including mobile grain storage equipment to increase grain storage capacity as well as help to provide speedy diagnostic testing and monitoring of animal diseases to allow for export certification.
Unable to get crops to market because of Russian blockades at its ports, Ukraine needs to keep its grain viable because the potential revenue from its export would help fund the country's defence.
"Our farmers typically face big challenges and have been proven to be inventive and creative. So we'll bring this expertise to Ukraine to help as much as we can," Trudeau said.
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has said that Canada is also sending seeds to Ukraine, including fast-growing buckwheat, to help out with the food crisis.
By preventing Ukraine's grain exports Russia has also intensified food scarcity, the leaders said in their final consensus agreement.
The leaders have also agreed to intensify their efforts to mitigate rising food prices and scarcity.
They also plan to expand their resettlement programs to accommodate the millions of Ukrainian refugees who have been displaced by the conflict.
Canada will also spend $15 million to help fund demining efforts and $9.7 million for those tracking human rights violations in Ukraine.
The next stop for Trudeau in his three-summit tour is Madrid, Spain.
Trudeau will meet with NATO allies there on Wednesday to discuss the military and defence implications of the war in Ukraine.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2022
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
How to keep insects from bugging you at home, according to experts
Now that temperatures have warmed up even more this spring, you may be anxious at the thought of bugs invading your home or you may already be battling the pests. Here are expert tips on how to keep them away.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
Avian flu: Catch up on spread, risks, and guidance from health experts
After another case of H5N1 avian flu linked to dairy cows was confirmed in a second dairy farmer in the United States, some Canadian experts say the federal government needs to expand surveillance of the virus north of the border.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
For US8,000, BARK Air offers a first class experience for dogs
BARK Air wants to pamper pets and their owners even before takeoff and will make its initial flight from New York to Los Angeles on Thursday.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Local Spotlight
Pomp, circumstance, and Crocs: Barrie, Ont. couple's unforgettable day at Buckingham Palace
When one is extended an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in London, England, there's undoubtedly no shortage of pomp and circumstance. Barrie, Ont. natives Megan Kirk Chang and her husband Brandon experienced just that as they entered the prestigious event hosted at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Tim Meadows pledges not to shave until the Oilers win the cup, who are the team's other famous fans?
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
'Near and dear to all filmmakers': Return of Regina's discount theatre bodes well for fans, movie makers alike
The proprietors of Regina's sole discount theatre are aware they're carrying on a significant legacy.
'Best experience ever': B.C. baker on making it to the finals of Netflix's 'Is it Cake?'
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
Winnipeg flair on the menu at neighbourhood Houston restaurant
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Beyond books: Halifax libraries lends instruments, sports equipment, memory kits and more
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
'A special bird': The unbreakable bond between purple martins and humans
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.