Trudeau, Obama exchange condolences over tragedy in Orlando, Canadian hostage Robert Hall
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau steers clear of using the word 'courage'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered U.S. President Barack Obama his condolences 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.
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Trudeau and Obama agreed on the importance of fighting hate and intolerance, and the need to promote and protect pluralism and diversity.
Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, visited the U.S. embassy in Ottawa Tuesday night to 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," Trudeau wrote.
'Courage?': Grégoire Trudeau
As Grégoire Trudeau sat down to sign 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."
Grégoire Trudeau misspelled that word earlier this year when the couple visited 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," Grégoire Trudeau, who was writing in French, left out the "a" and wrote "courge," which in French means "squash."
On Tuesday night, Grégoire Trudeau 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 would continue 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.
with files from CBC News