Trudeau’s flight cut short

Belgium-bound plane returns to Ottawa shortly after takeoff

OTTAWA— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plane returned to Ottawa late Saturday shortly after taking off for Belgium where he was to sign a major trade deal.

A federal official told reporters there was a problem with the plane and the aircraft was returning. The plane landed without incident but there were no further details immediately available.

Trudeau was to meet with European Union leaders in Brussels today, where they were to finally sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a wideranging deal that was seven years in the making.

He was also to meet with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, who has already arrived in Brussels.

Trudeau was expected to sign the agreement earlier this week, but the Belgian region of Wallonia cast doubt over its future by opposing it. Wallonia held a veto over Belgium’s ability to support the deal, which requires the approval of all 28 EU countries.

The Prime Minister’s Office says Trudeau spoke on Friday with European Council president Donald Tusk, who confirmed the texts of the deal, along with a side agreement known as the Strategic Partnership Agreement, have been approved for signature.

Canada’s International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland walked out of talks with the Europeans a week ago saying it appeared the EU was incapable of signing an agreement. She maintained Canada’s work was done and it was up to the Europeans to remove the remaining roadblocks.

After almost a week of painstaking negotiations — talks that forced Trudeau postpone his travel to Europe — the Walloons and the Belgian national government reached a deal.