 "Police stand guard outside an event where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was supposed to meet with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but it was cancelled due to protestors outside, at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Reuters")
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cancelled a combined visit to Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario on Saturday due to security concerns, according to a Canadian spokesman.
Outside the gallery, two groups of demonstrators had gathered: one opposing Trudeau’s administration and one in support of the Palestinian cause. There were also a lot of cops.
Jenna Ghassabeh, a representative for Trudeau’s office, said the event was cancelled due to security concerns but forwarded queries to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which had no immediate comment.
Meloni is in Canada to represent Italy as president of the Group of Seven nations in 2024, following a visit to Washington on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Canada and Italy agreed to enhance cooperation in various areas, including energy security and the shift to a sustainable energy future, over the next three to five years, according to a statement.