Thank you, Minister. Chief Flamand, I deeply appreciate your words and wisdom. 

And thank you to Mayor Venne and Mr. Desaulniers for your contributions to making this project a reality.

People across the globe are feeling the impacts – at their kitchen tables, at the pumps, on factory floors – as costs rise and uncertainty casts its heavy shadow.

The good news is that, unlike many countries, we can control our future, if we seize this moment. 

Canada is focused on our future – on what we can control.

We’re catalysing $1 trillion in new investment in Canada – from aerospace to artificial intelligence.

Last week, we announced our new National Electricity Strategy, which will double our electricity grid to supply clean, affordable, reliable, sustainable power for all. 

We have secured more than 20 economic and security partnerships across five continents over the past year.

We have referred 22 projects and strategies to the Major Projects Office – from new ports to high-speed rail.

Because it is time to build.

Last month, we kicked off the Contrecœur Terminal expansion project at the Port of Montréal. A project that has been debated for more than four decades is finally under construction.

This summer, we will launch the Mackenzie Valley Highway project in the Northwest Territories, a project I’ve been hearing about since I was a child.

Later today, Minister Hodgson will be announcing another energy project.

The early results of this strategy are encouraging: Non-U.S. exports are up sharply, and we’re on track to double them over the next decade.

Foreign investment in Canada is at its highest in two decades, and it’s running more than twice the rate of all other G7 economies.

Countries around the world are investing in Canada. AirAsia just announced the single-largest order of Canadian-designed aircraft in history.

Last week, Canada was ranked the world’s most attractive market for infrastructure investment by the Global Infrastructure Investor Association – and we are just getting started.

In short, Canada is building again.

For workers impacted by tariffs.

For businesses to diversify their products and access new markets.

To build a stronger, more independent, and more resilient Canadian economy for all Canadians.

That mission brings me today to Saint-Michel-des-Saints.

Canada is a world-leading mining nation.

We are now taking that tradition to the next level.

Canada’s new government is getting our resources from mine to market at an unprecedented pace.

In one year, we have signed 56 agreements on critical minerals with more than 10 countries, because we know they need reliable partners in a dangerous world, and we know that our entrepreneurs need predictability in this age of uncertainty.

These agreements will help unlock over $18 billion for critical minerals projects in Canada.

They will create good careers for Canadian workers and builders – from lithium processing to solutions for aerospace and defence.

That’s why we are here today.

In November, to speed things up, we referred Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine to the Major Projects Office.

Over five months, that office convened four departments across the federal government, secured new offtake agreements for the company, brought in new financing, and helped the company reach a final investment decision.

Today, just six months after we referred the Matawinie Mine to the Major Projects Office, we’re breaking ground.

This mine, once complete, will be the largest graphite mine in North America and across the G7.

This mine is expected to generate nearly $2 billion into the economy and create 1,000 careers – from the skilled trades to engineering.

It will rapidly scale up its annual production to 106,000 tonnes of natural graphite concentrate over 25 years – more than eight times Canada’s current production.

It will make Canada stronger and our international partners more resilient.

And the project will be completed in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples, including the Atikamekw of Manawan.

Two weeks ago, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, stated that Canada has a “once in a lifetime” window of opportunity because we are a stable and reliable partner in a world that is anything but.

We can supply the minerals and energy to countries battered by fears for their supply chains.

This window is short – and it will close, so we are seizing it now.

Canada has always been a nation of builders.

At this pivotal moment in history, we draw on that legacy once again.

We are masters of our own house.

We are building Saint-Michel-des-Saints strong to build a Canada strong for everyone, and we are just getting started.

Thank you.