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Good morning, everyone.
Before we get started, I want to congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris.
I’m looking forward to working with them both on the common challenges and opportunities facing our countries and our world.
Canada and the United States have a unique relationship, and this bond will always be the strong foundation on which we build our shared future.
I also want to take a moment to reflect on the historic milestone reached in this election.
For so many people in Canada and around the world, seeing a woman – a Black and South Asian-American woman – elected as the next Vice President of the United States is an inspiration and a reminder that everyone’s voice belongs in politics.
I also want to take a moment to address the current situation with COVID-19.
This morning, Canadians woke up to very encouraging news from Pfizer and BioNTech about their vaccine candidate.
Canada signed a deal with them in August to secure millions of doses.
At the same time, we’re also seeing other vaccine candidates progressing well.
In Canada and around the world, scientists are working very hard and doing a great job.
We hope to see vaccines landing in the early next year. But between now and then, it’s really, really important that we double down on our efforts. We need to make sure we are controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the coming months so that when vaccines get here, we will be able to act quickly to protect all Canadians. And to be very clear, if you catch COVID in the coming days and weeks, a vaccine won’t help you or your family.
We see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful we are getting there because our scientists are working incredibly hard. But we need to do our part. We need to stay strong and hang in there a few more months. Maybe more than that but we can see it coming.
So download the COVID Alert app.
Keep your distances.
Reduce your gatherings to essential members of your family.
And follow all local public health advice.
That’s how we’ll get through this winter to a spring and a summer that will be much better. I promise.
This morning, I’m happy to have ministers Monsef and Bains, as well as ministers McKenna and Rodriguez with me.
Each and every day, these ministers – and our entire team – are working to build stronger communities.
Over the last few months, our daily routines have changed.
People are working from home.
Kids are doing classes from the kitchen table.
And we’re all going online to stay in touch with family and friends.
Now, more than ever, a video chat cutting out during a meeting or a connection that’s too slow to upload a school assignment – that’s not just a hassle.
It’s a barrier.
Just ask Urve from Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador.
She’s an artisan who moved part of her shop – The Glass Station – online to continue reaching customers during the pandemic.
If Urve didn’t have access to good Internet – it would limit her options.
But because she can get online – she’s taking her business to a whole new level.
Or just ask Lise from Pike River, Quebec.
She’s a senior who now has access to fibre optic Internet in Brome-Missisquoi thanks to our government’s investments.
She can stay in touch with her friends and family while staying safe at home.
And her son who lives with her can now work from home.
That’s why high-speed Internet is so important.
We want everyone to enjoy what Lise and her family have.
Good, reliable Internet isn’t a luxury.
It’s a basic service.
And it’s a service that every single Canadian deserves.
That’s why, over the last 5 years, we’ve invested to connect 1.2 million households to high-speed Internet.
We’ve made important progress, but there are more people still to reach.
So today, we’re taking another big step forward.
Our government is launching the $1.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund to connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet.
This fund will be used to build infrastructure across the country, almost entirely in rural and remote communities.
And for places that are just too far to reach – including in remote areas and the North – we’ve reached a $600 million agreement with Telesat for satellite capacity to improve broadband.
Along with the $2 billion we’ve already put down for broadband through the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Growth Plan, we’re making real investments in Canadians, in their success, and in their future.
Today’s investment puts us on track to get 98% of Canadians connected to high-speed Internet in the next few years, and everyone connected a few years after that.
These are ambitious targets, and we’re ready to meet them.
In fact, to accelerate our progress right now, we’re making $150 million of the Universal Broadband Fund available immediately.
As we support people through this pandemic and rebuild a strong, resilient economy, getting Canadians connected is yet another tool in the toolbox.
To rebuild a strong, resilient economy, everyone must have the necessary tools to succeed.
Like our commitment to creating a million jobs and our new measures to support small businesses, we continue to focus our efforts on meeting the needs of Canadians now and for the future.
Thank you.