CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Good morning, everyone.
On Wednesday, we received a shipment of over 400,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
That’s our largest delivery to date.
Next week, we’re expecting to receive even more, nearly half a million.
From now until the end of March, we are on track to receive 6 million doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in total, and by September we will have at least 84 million doses.
That’s more than enough to vaccinate every Canadian.
We’re now in the ramp-up phase of our vaccine plan.
Hundreds of thousands of doses arriving each week means hundreds of thousands more people protected from COVID-19.
That’s what I’m focused on – you, your family, and your community.
Every Canadian who wants a vaccine will have one by the end of September.
We’re working with provinces and territories.
We’re working with companies from around the world.
And we’re working with our partners and allies.
Earlier today, I joined the G7 Leaders’ Meeting.
It was great to see the renewed energy and commitment to work together to tackle big issues.
We talked about our shared challenges like climate change, the global economy, and the defence of human rights, democracy, and our shared values.
We also had a very productive conversation about the global recovery and response to this pandemic.
And of course, we talked about vaccines.
Regarding vaccines, Canada is working with other countries through the COVAX initiative.
The COVAX initiative is a partnership: rich countries invest in the initiative to obtain doses for their own populations and, at the same time, provide doses to low- and middle-income countries.
In other words, this initiative is a way for all of us to increase our vaccine supply here in Canada, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Today, I can confirm that our total investment in the COVAX Facility and the ACT‑Accelerator is now $940 million.
Canada has been, and will continue to be, one of the world’s leading donors to these multilateral efforts to defeat COVID-19.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of other participating countries, including the United States, which has recently joined the initiative as well.
By working together, we will defeat this pandemic.
I also discussed where we are on vaccines with the premiers at our 27th First Ministers’ Meeting last night.
We have shared an updated vaccine delivery schedule with the provinces and territories, so that they’re ready to roll out almost a million and a half doses over the next three weeks.
Vaccines are my top priority and I know premiers feel the same.
During the vaccination campaign, we are continuing to do everything we can to control the spread of COVID-19.
For vaccines:
I’ve been discussing with the provincial and territorial premiers how to administer the vaccines as quickly as possible once we receive them.
For screening:
Millions of rapid screening tests have been sent to the provinces and territories.
And we will be working in partnership with the private sector for screening.
As well, the federal government is leading by example.
We are accelerating screening efforts in federal workplaces.
This is a tough virus to beat.
But I know it’s no match for Canadian teamwork and innovation.
Just look at the results we’re already seeing from our partnership with the CDL Rapid Screening Consortium to roll out tests to workplaces.
Twenty-six pilot sites, 12 employers across the country, and more than 5,000 screening tests done so far.
Already, they’ve caught positive cases.
That means that people who otherwise might not have known were able to take the right steps to protect themselves, their families, and their coworkers.
We have to use every tool in the toolbox to keep people safe, because we are not out of the woods yet.
As Dr. Tam and Dr. Njoo outlined earlier today, what provinces, cities, and mostly Canadians have done over the last few weeks has worked.
Cases are down.
Hospitalizations are down.
The number of deaths is down.
But here’s the thing:
Variants are real, and they’re already here.
So we have to keep taking strong public health measures.
And remember, even with vaccines, we need to do everything we can to protect vulnerable populations, like our seniors in long-term care.
Otherwise, we could see a third wave that is even worse than the second or the first.
I know that’s not the news you want to hear, but we will get through this.
I’m focused on testing, vaccines, and public health measures.
The premiers and I spoke last night about not opening up too fast.
And Canadians – you know what we need to keep doing, all of us. We need to keep focusing on those measures that keep us and our loved ones safe. Like wearing a mask, washing your hands, keeping your distance, using the COVID Alert app, and avoiding gatherings.
Together, we have the power to keep bending the curve and prevent these variants from taking hold.
Beating this pandemic, and keeping you and your family safe, will always be our top priority.
But let’s not forget that there are other challenges that haven’t disappeared because of this crisis.
In the spring, people took to the streets across the country to raise their voices against systemic racism.
Whether it was on the front lawn of Parliament Hill or in small towns and big cities across the country:
I saw you.
I heard you.
And I agree.
It is past time for a change.
All Canadians must have confidence that laws are there to protect them, not harm them.
Far too often, though, that’s just not the case.
Laws that discriminate must be changed.
Rules that don’t work need to be fixed.
So that’s exactly what we’re doing.
It’s time for that to change.
Yesterday, we introduced Bill C-22, to make our justice system more just.
This is another step forward to create a system that is fair, effective, and keeps all Canadians safe.
What our communities need is a justice system that punishes criminals and makes sure they go to jail so they can’t put others in danger.
What we don’t need is a system that targets racialized people because of systemic discrimination.
What we don’t need is a system that sends people to prison because they struggle with addiction, or a system that punishes young people for being black, Indigenous, or racialized.
We’ve heard from both communities and law enforcement that treatment and support is a better approach in many cases.
We all want laws that are fair and contribute to the safety of our communities, and that is exactly the purpose of Bill C-22. We’re also investing in diversion programs to increase the availability of viable, effective alternatives to criminal charges.
Today, I also want to talk to you about our two official languages.
They are one of our country’s greatest resources. They unite us and symbolize our diversity.
The Official Languages Act was passed over 50 years ago.
Since then, many things have changed and more concrete measures must be taken to protect our beautiful French language, including in Quebec.
Our government is proposing targeted actions to promote French across the country.
This includes improved access to French immersion classes, and measures to protect French as a language of work in companies under federal jurisdiction in Quebec and in regions with a strong Francophone presence in the rest of the country.
There will also be more support for Canadians learning their second language.
In addition, we want to require that all judges appointed to the Supreme Court be bilingual.
We will also support institutions in minority communities and protect the rights of our official language minorities.
Never before has a federal government gone this far to protect French, and I would like to acknowledge Minister Joly’s leadership in this area over the past six years.
I’ve covered a lot of ground today.
But from vaccines to rapid testing to the justice system, my focus always stays the same:
You, your family, and your community.
In the spring, we created the CERB to help you keep food on the table and a roof over your head.
In the fall, we extended programs like the wage subsidy and introduced new measures like the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
Well, this crisis isn’t over, neither is our support for everyone.
And on that front, I have some important news to share.
To begin with, we are extending the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit by 12 weeks.
That makes the new maximum you can claim 38 weeks in total.
If you need support while you look for a job, or if you have to stay home to take care of your family, these benefits will continue to be there for you.
We’re also extending the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit from the current two weeks to a new total of four weeks.
No one should be going to work sick right now. It’s that simple.
And finally, we are increasing the help available under regular EI claims to 50 weeks in total, meaning 24 more weeks that you can use if you need it.
Times are tough.
And we’ll be here to help you for as long as you need us.
Earlier this week, I received a letter from Laura in Québec City.
She plays for the Rouge et Or soccer team at Laval University.
What Laura told me was how difficult it is for her and her team to stay motivated now that there are no more games or practices because of COVID-19.
Laura:
I know you’re anxious to get back on the field, to experience happy and proud moments with your teammates – or even just to be able to train together after classes.
Spring is coming. The snow will melt. The green soccer fields will eventually reappear.
What I want to tell you and your team is to hang in there.
Remember that you’re not alone.
We’re here for you. We’re going to be here to support you, and together we’re going to get through this.