CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Mr. President. Fellow delegates. Friends.

As we meet here in New York at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly for this Summit of the Future, we’re at a global inflection point.

Faced with escalating instability undermining the very foundations of the international order.

Beset by the increasingly dire costs of climate change.

Contending with rising inequality that is leaving the most vulnerable behind.

Plagued by the erosion of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Indigenous rights.

And grappling with dire humanitarian crises perpetuating record levels of displacement.

We have a choice. 

On the one hand, we can bury our heads in the sand – eschewing multilateralism in favour of short-sighted self-interest.

Or we can recognize that, collectively, we have a responsibility to set our differences aside.

To confront these serious global challenges.

And to deliver on a Pact for the Future that builds a more peaceful world, but also one where everyone – every generation – gets a real and fair shot.

In Canada, that is what we are squarely focused on.

As I travel across my country, Canadians of all walks of life – but particularly young Canadians – tell me they’re worried.

They’re worried about the state of the world and the future.

But most importantly, they’re worried that the very promise of Canada.

The promise that if you work hard, you can do better than the generation that preceded you.

Is slipping out of reach.

As a government, we’re stepping up.

The solution to anxiety and angst is not to deceive and deflect, but to take action.

We know that confident, successful countries invest in their citizens, in their workers, in their middle class.

In national $10-a-day child care that saves families money while ensuring women can choose the best path for themselves.

In nutritious school meals so our kids can focus on learning and growing.

In an ambitious housing plan that will deliver good, abundant, and affordable homes.

In a national dental care program that in its first months has already delivered quality care to three quarters of a million Canadians.

In a growth and industrial strategy that creates good-paying, community-building, middle-class jobs – all while fighting climate change.

These are choices that deliver on the promise of Canada – for every generation.

These choices reflect a commitment to investing in our people and in our future.

But also, a commitment to tackle global problems we all share.

Climate change and inflation do not stop at our borders.

Inequality is a global problem, for people from all walks of life.

If we want to serve our own citizens well, we must tackle major global challenges together. 

We must work within institutions like the UN and renew our commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We must protect and support the rule of law and democratic values.

We must reform international financial institutions.

We must put the rights of women and girls front and centre, as we have done with our Feminist International Assistance Policy.

We must acknowledge that wealthy countries like Canada have a responsibility to combat climate change.

Whether it’s through our $5 billion contribution to global climate financing efforts.

Or by soon becoming the first major oil and gas producing nation to cap emissions from the sector. 

My fellow delegates: nearly 80 years ago, in the aftermath of the most destructive war in our collective history, we formed the UN.

And we did so with the aspiration to build something better – for today’s generations yes, but also for many generations to come.

All of us gathered here have an opportunity to hold true to that mission.

To fulfill the promise of our Pact for the Future.

To deliver fairness for every generation.

Thank you.