Trudeau Set to Host Italian PM Meloni for Talks in Toronto

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has confirmed that Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Canada next month, marking her first official visit since assuming office in 2022.

During her visit to Toronto on March 2, Trudeau and Meloni will engage in discussions covering various global challenges, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as exploring avenues for cooperation with African partners.

The upcoming meeting holds significance, especially considering the public spat between the two leaders last year. Trudeau openly criticized Italy’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues during a meeting with Meloni at the G7 leaders’ summit. Specifically, he expressed concern over her government’s decision to limit the recognition of parental rights to only the biological parent in families with same-sex parents.

Meloni swiftly rejected Trudeau’s criticism, attributing it to misinformation and fake news. The incident underscored differences in policy approaches between the two leaders but also highlights the importance of diplomatic engagement to address contentious issues.

As Meloni’s visit approaches, anticipation grows for the outcome of discussions between the Canadian and Italian leaders on key international issues and areas of potential collaboration.