Trudeau, Obama exchange condolences over tragedy in Orlando, Canadian hostage Robert Hall - Action News
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Politics

Trudeau, Obama exchange condolences over tragedy in Orlando, Canadian hostage Robert Hall

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered U.S. President Barack Obama his condolences for the Orlando mass shooting during a telephone call Tuesday, and later visited the U.S. embassy in Ottawa where he and his wife, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, signed the book of condolences.

Sophie Grgoire Trudeau steers clear of using the word 'courage'

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau looks on as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signs a book of condolence at the United States embassy, in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The Prime Minister visited the U.S. embassy to pay his respects for the nation as it grieves the killings of 49 patrons at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauoffered U.S.President Barack Obamahiscondolences for the loss of life in the mass shooting in Orlando during a telephone call on Tuesday.

Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's solidarity with the people of Orlando, families and friends of the victims and the LGBTQ community, the prime minister's office said.

TrudeauandObamaagreed on the importance of fighting hate and intolerance, and the need to promote and protect pluralism and diversity.

Trudeau signs book of condolences for Orlando victims

8 years ago
Duration 0:22
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie visited the US Embassy this evening and were joined by Ambassador Bruce Heyman and wife Vicki

Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, visitedthe U.S. embassy in OttawaTuesday nightto sign a book of condolences for victims of the Orlando shooting.

"Being friends is about celebrating together in the good times, but even more about being able to lean on each other during the toughest times," Trudeauwrote.

'Courage?':GrgoireTrudeau

As GrgoireTrudeausat down tosign the book of condolences, she turned to her husband and discreetly said in French, "Courage?"

"Courage," Trudeau replied as he enunciated the word a second time for all to hear, "Cou-ra-ge."

GrgoireTrudeaumisspelled that wordearlier this year when the couplevisited a shrine in Tokyo as part of their trip to Japan for the G7 conference.

While she clearly meant to wish for "Courage, Love, Light, Peace," Grgoire Trudeau, who was writing in French, left out the "a" and wrote "courge," which in French means "squash."

Sophie and Justin Trudeau discuss how to spell "Courage"

8 years ago
Duration 0:57
Sophie misspelled "Courage" at a Tokyo Shrine last month using instead "Courge" which is the French word for squash

On Tuesday night,GrgoireTrudeau ultimately opted to steer clear of the word altogether.

"In solidarity, unity and peace," she wrote in the U.S. embassy's book of condolences.

Allies united against terrorism

During Tuesday night's phone call with Trudeau,Obama said he was grateful to the people of Canada for their support.

He also expressed condolences for the killing of Robert Hall by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines.

The two men said they wouldcontinue working together in the fight against terrorism.

As news of the massacre in Orlando broke on the weekend, Trudeau issued a statement expressing shock and sadness.

"We grieve with our friends in the United States and Florida, and offer any assistance we can provide," he said.

On Monday, Trudeau said the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower in Ottawa was flying at half-mast to remember the victims of the Orlando mass shooting as well as Hall.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Canadian flag was flying at half-mast to remember the victims of the Orlando mass shooting, as well as slain Canadian Robert Hall on Monday, June 13, 2016. (Susana Mas/CBC)

with files from CBC News