Comments come after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is going to look at securing a seat on the UN Security Council as vacancies come up.

His comments come after a meeting today with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Trudeau says seeking a seat on the council meshes with his government’s plan to renew Canada’s relationship with the world body, which cooled under the previous government.

The previous Harper government was criticized for failing to make a strong bid for a council seat in 2010.

Ban says he welcomes Trudeau’s plan to rebuild a robust relationship with the UN, saying Canada has a long and distinguished partnership with the organization.

The two men’s talks covered issues ranging from climate change to the resettlement of refugees and a Canadian return to major peacekeeping operations.