Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit Canada next month, less than a year after she clashed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over LGBTQ+ rights. Meloni, who leads the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, has been criticized for her government’s policies that limit the recognition of same-sex parents and oppose same-sex marriage. Trudeau, who is a vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, has expressed his concern and disappointment over Italy’s stance on the issue. In this article, we will explore the background and context of the visit, and the potential challenges and opportunities for the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Background: A Tense Exchange at the G7 Summit
The visit will be Meloni’s first to Canada since she became Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022, following a snap election that saw her party win a narrow majority. Meloni, who is also the leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, has been described as a populist and nationalist politician, who opposes immigration, multiculturalism, and European integration.
Meloni’s views and policies have often clashed with those of Trudeau, who leads the Liberal Party of Canada and champions diversity, inclusion, and human rights. The two leaders had a tense exchange at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England, in June 2023, where Trudeau criticized Italy’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, especially its move to restrict the parental rights of same-sex couples who have children through surrogacy or adoption.
According to media reports, Trudeau told Meloni that he was “deeply troubled” by Italy’s decision to only recognize the biological parent in such cases, and that he hoped Italy would “reconsider its position and ensure that all children have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their parents’ sexual orientation or gender identity”. Meloni reportedly responded by saying that Italy was a sovereign and democratic country, and that it had the right to decide its own laws and values, without interference from other countries or international organizations.
Meloni later dismissed Trudeau’s criticism as “fake news” and “propaganda”, and accused him of being “ignorant” and “arrogant”. She also said that Italy respected the dignity and freedom of all people, but that it did not accept the “ideological imposition” of LGBTQ+ rights, which she claimed were contrary to the natural order and the common good.
The Context: A Complex and Diverse Relationship
The visit will take place in the context of a complex and diverse relationship between Canada and Italy, which spans various areas, such as trade, investment, culture, education, and security. Canada and Italy are both members of the G7, NATO, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and share common interests and values on many global issues, such as climate change, democracy, human rights, and multilateralism.
Canada and Italy also have strong economic and people-to-people ties, which are facilitated by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a free trade deal between Canada and the European Union, and by the large and vibrant Italian-Canadian community, which numbers over 1.6 million people. According to the Government of Canada, the bilateral trade between Canada and Italy amounted to $11.5 billion in 2020, making Italy Canada’s eighth-largest trading partner in the world. Canada’s exports to Italy include machinery, aircraft, pharmaceuticals, and minerals, while its imports from Italy include machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Canada’s direct investment in Italy was $4.8 billion in 2020, while Italy’s direct investment in Canada was $2.7 billion.
Canada and Italy also have close cultural and educational ties, which are supported by various agreements and programs, such as the Canada-Italy Cultural Agreement, the Canada-Italy Youth Mobility Agreement, and the Canada-Italy Innovation Award. Canada and Italy also cooperate in various scientific and technological fields, such as aerospace, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and renewable energy.
The Challenges: A Divergence of Views and Values
The visit will also face some challenges, as there are some areas of divergence and disagreement between Canada and Italy, especially on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, which has become a source of controversy and tension between the two leaders. The issue of LGBTQ+ rights is not only a matter of personal conviction and preference, but also a matter of international law and obligation, as both Canada and Italy are signatories to various human rights treaties and conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibit discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The issue of LGBTQ+ rights is also a matter of public opinion and social acceptance, as both Canada and Italy have diverse and pluralistic societies, where different views and values coexist and interact. According to the Pew Research Center, a U.S.-based think tank, Canada is one of the most LGBTQ±friendly countries in the world, where 80% of the population say that homosexuality should be accepted by society, and where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005. Italy, on the other hand, is one of the least LGBTQ±friendly countries in Europe, where only 55% of the population say that homosexuality should be accepted by society, and where same-sex marriage is still not legal, despite a 2016 law that recognized civil unions for same-sex couples.
The issue of LGBTQ+ rights is also a matter of political and diplomatic significance, as both Canada and Italy have different roles and responsibilities in the international arena, where LGBTQ+ rights are often contested and challenged by some countries and actors, such as Russia, China, Iran, and some religious groups. Canada has been a vocal and active supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, both at home and abroad, and has adopted various policies and initiatives, such as the LGBTQ2 Special Advisor, the LGBTQ2 Action Plan, and the LGBTQ2 Global Network, to promote and protect LGBTQ+ rights around the world. Italy, on the other hand, has been more cautious and conservative on LGBTQ+ rights, both at home and abroad, and has often faced criticism and pressure from some of its European and international partners, such as France, Germany, and the European Union, to adopt more progressive and inclusive laws and policies on LGBTQ+ rights.
The Opportunities: A Dialogue and Cooperation
The visit will also offer some opportunities, as there are some areas of dialogue and cooperation between Canada and Italy, especially on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, which could provide a platform and a catalyst for mutual understanding and respect, as well as for joint action and collaboration. The visit could provide an opportunity for:
- A dialogue between the two leaders, where they could exchange their views and perspectives on LGBTQ+ rights, and where they could address their concerns and expectations, as well as their common interests and values. The dialogue could also help to clarify and correct any misunderstandings or misrepresentations that may have arisen from the media or other sources, and to build trust and confidence between the two leaders.
- A cooperation between the two countries, where they could identify and explore some areas of common ground and convergence on LGBTQ+ rights, and where they could work together to advance and support LGBTQ+ rights, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The cooperation could also help to enhance and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and to contribute to the global efforts and initiatives to promote and protect LGBTQ+ rights.
A Complex and Important Visit
The visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Canada next month will be a complex and important visit, as it will take place amid controversy and tension over LGBTQ+ rights, which has become a contentious and divisive issue between the two leaders. The visit will also take place in the context of a complex and diverse relationship between the two countries, which spans various areas, such as trade, investment, culture, education, and security. The visit will face some challenges, as there are some areas of divergence and disagreement between the two countries, especially on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, which reflects a difference of views and values, as well as a difference of law and obligation, between the two countries. The visit will also offer some opportunities, as there are some areas of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries, especially on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, which could provide a platform and a catalyst for mutual understanding and respect, as well as for joint action and collaboration, between the two countries.