Ukraine, Haiti to dominate Justin Trudeau’s day at UN General Assembly

Trudeau is expected to make news of his own, in particular when he announces Canada's latest contribution to a UN effort to confront treatable disease in the developing world.

Today’s the day that the stars come out at the United Nations.

U.S. President Joe Biden, traditionally a Day 1 speaker, is to ascend the rostrum Wednesday morning instead, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among those attending in person.

The delegation will also hear from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose livestreamed speech marks a rare exception to the General Assembly’s rules.

Zelenskyy’s seven-month defence of Ukraine against the aggressions of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a dominant theme of the gathering.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada is especially focused on ensuring the global coalition of countries united against Russia remains healthy and intact.

Joly says she expects to hear Zelenskyy reiterate his pleas for as much support as his allies can muster.

“Obviously, what Ukraine wants from Canada is always more support on the financial side and more heavy artillery,” she said.

“We’ve done a lot already. But we need to do more. And we’ll do more.”