CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Hello everyone.

Whether it’s to cover the bills, to keep people on the payroll, or to make rent on a storefront, many Canadians need a hand right now.

So over the past few months, we’ve brought in new programs that are doing exactly that.

Just take the wage subsidy, and what it has meant for people like the employees at Euro-line in Oakville.

This family-owned appliance business had to close their operations and lay off staff because of the pandemic.

It was a really tough spring.

But when they applied for the wage subsidy, they were able to then rehire their entire team.

And that matters to the 22 people who now have their paycheque again.

To all employers:

Please use the wage subsidy, if you haven’t already.

This help is designed for you and your employees.

And if you need more support, apply for the Canada Emergency Business Account.

On the CEBA in particular, I want to remind everyone that we recently expanded the eligibility for this program to include even more small businesses, like farmers.

The new application process will open on Friday, and in the coming days we’ll have more information to share about it.

For now, though, you can go to edc.ca for information about the documents you’ll need to apply.  

In the last few weeks, things have started to look up for a lot of people.

But that said, we also know that far too many Canadians are still struggling.

If you’re having trouble finding a job, you shouldn’t also be worrying about whether you’ll hit the limit of your CERB benefits.

So right now, we’re working on a solution to extend the benefit for people who can’t return to work yet.

We’ll have more details later this week, but for today, I want you to know that we will continue to be there for you and your family.  

During National Public Service Week, I want to thank all the women and men who work incredibly hard to get Canadians the help they need.

Especially recently, they’ve done a remarkable job for their fellow Canadians.

No one could have predicted that this spring would turn out the way that it did.

Certainly for farmers, who keep our grocery stores stocked and our families fed, it’s been an unexpectedly challenging few months.

With restaurants and hotels closed for weeks, many producers were left with extra food they couldn’t sell.

Farmers work hard to raise their livestock and grow their crops.

They shouldn’t be in a position where they have to see that wasted.

And that’s why today, we are opening applications for the Surplus Food Rescue Program.

This program will help get products that farmers and fishers can’t sell – whether that’s potatoes, poultry, or seafood, or otherwise – to communities that need it.

People across the country will benefit, including in remote, northern communities.

This is a win-win.

Farmers will have people to buy their goods, and food will get to the plates of families who wouldn’t have enough otherwise.

In many ways, COVID-19 is a challenge like we’ve never dealt with before.

But it certainly isn’t the only test we’re facing.

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, we need to think outside the box, in order to keep people safe, to grow our economy, and to shape our future for the better.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to be an incredibly powerful force for good.

But it must be used responsibly and ethically. And on that front, Canada is continuing to lead the way forward.

Today, as one of 13 founding members, Canada helped launch the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.

As part of this initiative, we’ve also worked with the Government of Québec to set up a centre of expertise in Montréal, which will be one of the partnership’s two global hubs.

This country is home to some of the world’s most innovative people, not to mention the fact that Canadians have pioneered much of today’s AI tech.

It only makes sense to put that expertise to use.

Earlier this morning, I also joined Minister Ng and her counterparts in the Ottawa Group on World Trade Organization reform.

We discussed our work together on trade, on safeguarding international supply chains, and on building a global economy that works for everyone.

Now more than ever, it is vital that we collaborate across borders to keep our economies strong and our citizens safe.

This pandemic is a global crisis – and it requires global solutions.

So in response to a request from the United Nations, I can also announce that Canada will provide airlift support for urgently-needed medical and humanitarian supplies.

Through this mission, we will be delivering help to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

I would also like to point out that today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Our parents, our grandparents, and our elders built this country.

We must protect them and ensure they receive the care they deserve.

On that note, let me give a big shout-out to the Rogers Foundation for their $60 million donation to help the most vulnerable during this pandemic.

I know this incredible initiative will have a huge impact on a whole lot of people’s lives. 

Whether you decide call your grandparents or ask your neighbours how they’re doing, we must all do our part.

In my Papineau riding, the AMI roundtable does incredible work to prevent the mistreatment of seniors all year long.

I want to acknowledge and thank all those who work for similar organizations all across the country.

Thank you for taking care of our seniors.

Today, and every day, we must all work together to ensure the health and safety of Canadians of all ages.

I want to end this morning by recognizing the Canadian troops who arrived in Ukraine yesterday to resume their training mission.

The work they’re doing together with our partners to build a more secure country is incredibly important.

I know all Canadians will be thinking of these brave women and men in uniform, as they serve overseas.

Thank you very much.