(Toronto) The reception that was supposed to cap off a day of meetings between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Saturday was canceled after pro-Palestinian protesters blocked access to Ontario's Museum of Fine Arts, preventing anyone from attending. to enter.
Posted at 4:36 p.m.
Sammy Hudes The Canadian Press
Mr. Trudeau's office confirmed that neither he nor Ms. Meloni were able to enter the museum, which was temporarily closed as protesters marched in with slogans in support of the Gaza Strip – where Israel has been fighting a bloody war for several months.
Among the expected guests is the Minister for International Development, Ahmed Hussen, who was unable to enter the gallery via the main entrance. He had to walk two blocks accompanied by the police to find another solution.
Some protesters who followed him directly denigrated Mr. Hussen, saying it was shameful that he called himself a Muslim. “You are complicit in the genocide. Your hands are red. They are involved in the murder of members of my family and friends,” one of them told him.
The disruption marked the end of an otherwise cordial day in which Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Meloni said they had agreed to lay out the roadmap for improved cooperation between Canada and Italy.
Strengthened connections
The two prime ministers issued a joint statement saying the agreement would deepen their countries' political, economic and strategic ties by setting out plans for cooperation over the next three to five years on priority issues.
These include energy security and the transition to a future focused on sustainable energy, climate change and biodiversity, migration, sustainable economic growth and research and innovation, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence.
The two G7 members plan to review progress in developing the roadmap at a meeting next June in Italy.
PHOTO CARLOS OSORIO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Meeting between Justin Trudeau and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni
Speaking to reporters before the closed session, Trudeau praised Meloni's leadership as Italy chaired this year's G7 summit, adding that he looked forward to working with her to organize Canada's hosting mandate in 2025.
Mr. Trudeau says Canada and Italy “agree on many issues” and have “a very deep and growing economic relationship.”
The two leaders fell out publicly last year after Mr. Trudeau criticized Italy's stance on LGBTQ+ issues during a meeting with Ms. Meloni at the G7 summit. He was reacting to his government's decision to limit the recognition of parental rights in families with same-sex parents only to the biological parent.
Ms. Meloni later dismissed that criticism, saying Mr. Trudeau had fallen victim to fake news.
On Saturday, Meloni highlighted a number of her priorities as G7 leader, including artificial intelligence, the role of the Indo-Pacific and respect for the rules-based international order.
She also emphasized support for Ukraine and “this very difficult crisis in the Middle East,” saying it is important to avoid escalation. The angry protesters who gathered outside the museum accused Mr. Trudeau of funding genocide and also criticized his management of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“We are starting a new year of relations by trying to strengthen our cooperation, and I think there are many issues on which we can do this,” Ms. Meloni said.