OTTAWA — Leo Varadkar, Ireland's taoiseach, or prime minister, will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Montreal's Pride parade during a three-day visit that gets underway Saturday.
The two leaders met in Ireland in July, shortly after Varadkar took office as the country's first openly gay prime minister.
Trudeau says he and Varadkar plan to discuss issues related to diversity and inclusion and how both countries can benefit from the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which goes into effect next month.
Trudeau's office says the Sunday event will mark the first time a foreign leader has joined the prime minister in a Canadian Pride parade.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/leo-varadkar2@#</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
the prime minister stresses the close ties between the two countries, saying over 4.5 million canadians claimed irish ancestry in 2011.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
he also says the two-way economic links are strong.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"our two countries enjoy strong family ties, common values, and a shared history," trudeau said in a statement. "now we are collaborating again to ensure that ceta creates good, well-paying middle class jobs on both sides of the atlantic."</div>
<div>
</div>
<blockquote class=)
i’m pleased to announce that irish taoiseach leo varadkar will visit canada later this week: https://t.co/myqhyhm0xe
— justin trudeau (@justintrudeau) august 15, 2017 .jpg" alt="" style="max-width:640px;" />MORE National ARTICLES
Boy Charged In Killing Of 18-Year-Old Woman On Halifax-Area Walkway
HALIFAX — A 16-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder after a young woman was found dying on a Halifax-area walkway earlier this month.
Boy Charged In Killing Of 18-Year-Old Woman On Halifax-Area Walkway
Report Into Fatal Abbotsford School Stabbing Released
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — A British Columbia school district is making 31 recommendations to improve security after a fatal stabbing last year at a secondary school in Abbotsford.
Report Into Fatal Abbotsford School Stabbing Released
Carfentanil Found In Increasing Number Of Urine Samples, Say Vancouver Officials
City officials say five overdose deaths were recorded in Vancouver during the week of June 12, up from four the week earlier.
Carfentanil Found In Increasing Number Of Urine Samples, Say Vancouver Officials
Canadian Sniper Shatters World Record, Kills Islamic State Militant From 3,540 Metres
The previous world record was held by British sniper Craig Harrison, who shot a Taliban gunner from a distance of 2,475 metres in 2009.
Canadian Sniper Shatters World Record, Kills Islamic State Militant From 3,540 Metres
Vancouver Police Investigating Suspicious Death After Man Found In Kingsgate Mall Parking Lot
Just after 1:30 a.m., a citizen found the man in apparent medical distress. BC Ambulance and police responded, and he was rushed to hospital where he died.
Vancouver Police Investigating Suspicious Death After Man Found In Kingsgate Mall Parking Lot
Fire Guts String Of Stores Along Vancouver Street
The fire broke out at about 8 p.m. in a string of one-storey businesses that include a tailor, hair studio, pizza shop, an ice cream store and a Salvation Army thrift store.