Hello everyone.

In the fight against COVID-19, our focus will always be here at home.

But this is a global challenge.

To keep Canadians safe and restart our economy, we need to defeat this virus not just within our borders, but wherever it will be found.

That’s how we’ll beat COVID-19 for good.

So just like we’re coordinating our efforts across the country, we’re collaborating with allies around the globe, too.

Earlier this morning, I joined leaders from other countries, and from civil society and industry, to work together on accelerating the global development of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and testing.

We all share a common goal: ending this pandemic.

And Canada is stepping up to do its part.

Canada’s contribution of over $850 million for the global fight against COVID-19 includes investments in Canadian and international research.

At home, we’re providing funding for everything from the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization for their work on a vaccine development, to Vancouver-based AbCellera for treatments.

Right across the country, we’re making sure that Canadians can keep leading.

Our $850 million commitment also includes support for vaccine development through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the WHO’s Solidarity Trial that helps hospitals share information on treatments.

The more we cooperate, the more likely that we find a cure, and find it quickly.

And that’s something we all want to see.

From the outset of this crisis, our focus has been on what’s happening here at home.

We are working hard to keep Canadians safe and support our front-line workers while preparing to restart our economy.

But COVID-19 is a global challenge that requires a global solution – and everyone must do their part.

Canada is contributing over $850 million to the global fight against COVID-19, and that includes investments in both Canadian and international research.

It also includes support for vaccine development through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the WHO’s Solidarity Trial that helps hospitals share information on treatments.

The more we cooperate, the more likely that we find a cure, and find it quickly.

And that’s exactly what every country, every person in this world, wants to see.

COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge.

But it’s not the first time that Canadians have been called to do their part.

Over the past generations, Canadians have time and time again stepped up in defense of our shared future.

This week marks the 75^th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and of Victory in Europe Day.  

From the fall of 1944 to the spring of ‘45, thousands of Canadians pushed back the occupying forces, road by road, town by town.

They fought and many died to defend the values that we hold dear – peace and democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

And today, 75 years later, we remember their courage and their sacrifice.

Earlier this morning, I spoke with Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

We talked about the close, lasting bond of friendship that exist between our two countries.

We talked about how we collaborated together in years past, standing for our values, fighting side by side, and how we are doing that again today in this global crisis – in friendship and in solidarity.  

So today, I ask all Canadians to join me and our friends and allies in the Netherlands at 2 p.m. Eastern Time to observe two minutes of silence in honour of our veterans.

As we pause, let’s reflect on how each of us can live up to their example.

Maybe you’ll do your part by staying home to protect our health care workers.

Maybe you’ll bring groceries to an elderly neighbour, or make a donation to a food bank, or simply make the effort of sending a postcard to a veteran to thank them for their service. With your actions, you are contributing to your community and demonstrating that Canadians, time and time again, will continue to step up.

I know the weather is getting nicer, but we still need to be extremely careful.

And not just for our seniors, but for everyone around us.

So don’t go out unless you absolutely have to.

And if you do, keep two metres apart from each other.

This week marks the 75^th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and VE Day.

From the fall of 1944 to the spring of 1945, thousands of Canadians pushed back the occupying forces – one town at a time.

They fought and many gave their life to defend the values that we hold dear. And today, 75 years later, we remember their courage and their sacrifice.

At 2 p.m. Eastern Time, I ask all Canadians to join me in observing two minutes of silence in honour of our veterans.

Take those two minutes to reflect on how we can all follow their lead.

Maybe you’ll do your part by staying home to protect our health care workers, by making a donation to a food back or by writing a postcard to a veteran, thanking them for their service.

Everyone can play a part in helping their community.

But no matter what you do, stay at home and keep two metres apart from each other.

Thank you very much.