President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participate in a discussion with students at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa on Monday, April 24, 2023. Trudeau says Canada can be a leader in things like lithium mining if global companies make their imports contingent on being environmentally responsible and barring slave labour.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada can be a leader in industries such as lithium mining if global companies make their imports contingent on being environmentally responsible and barring slave labour.
Trudeau made the comments at an event alongside Germany’s visiting President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which focused on the importance of democratic values as Russia and China vie for more influence.
Trudeau said in a public discussion at the University of Ottawa that instead of ruling out Chinese goods, companies should opt for materials and products from countries that have less impact on climate change.
Trudeau said Canadian-made goods help uphold these values better than what he referred to as “cheap lithium batteries from China.”
The prime minister also argued that investors like the stability of countries with strong social safety nets, and Steinmeier said it’s one example of the advantages of liberal democracies, which he argued take their freedoms for granted.
The pair also discussed disinformation and the need for citizens to have a shared set of facts in order for democracy to function, with Steinmeier saying that COVID-19 showed the importance of electing governments that respond to crises the best way they can with limited information.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2023.
