U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is coming to Ottawa next week for an official visit. The Prime Minister’s Office announced Tuesday that Biden will be in the capital on Dec. 8 and 9 to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Biden will also be feted at a dinner in his honour.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks to a crowd in Tampa, Fla. on Nov. 2. (Photo: Charlie Kaijo/AP via CP) “I look forward to meeting with Vice President Biden and discussing the strength of our two countries’ relationship,” Trudeau said in a media release. “Canada has no closer friend, partner, and ally than the U.S. and our relationship with our neighbour to the south is critical to citizens on both sides of the border.” Biden to talk with premiers The trip will coincide with a meeting Trudeau will host with his provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as aboriginal leaders, in Ottawa next Friday. The first ministers are expected to discuss climate change and, if premiers get their way, health care funding. Biden will also meet with premiers to discuss a “range of bilateral and global issues,” the U.S. embassy announced in its own release. Canada-U.S. relations uncertain under Trump The visit comes as Canadian politicians wrestle with the unclear direction of Canada-U.S. relations as Republican president-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration on Jan. 20.