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Thank you so much, Joe.

Thank you everyone.

Let me begin by saying that all of us are thinking of our friends in Texas right now.

I know SaskPower has been sending electricity down, and as I told the President, Canada is here to help however we can.

Mr. President, it’s been great to sit down with you this afternoon.

This is, of course, not the first time we’ve worked together.  

Back in 2016, I had the pleasure of hosting you here in Ottawa as Vice-President.

Over dinner, I remember talking about how the extraordinary friendship between Canada and the United States has not just weathered changing seasons – it has grown ever deeper and stronger. Well today, we’re taking our next step forward.

The President and I discussed the ambitious new Partnership Roadmap, based on shared values and priorities, that will guide our countries’ work together over the coming years.

In the face of COVID-19, of climate change, of rising inequality, this is our moment to act.

So we’re not wasting any time in getting down to work.     

Job one remains keeping people safe and ending this pandemic.

This afternoon, the President and I discussed collaboration to beat COVID-19, from keeping key supplies moving and supporting science and research, to joint efforts through international institutions.

We’re standing united in this fight.

In addition to our joint efforts to combat COVID-19, we also discussed our strict travel measures aimed at protecting people on both sides of the border.

Right now, while our highest priority is keeping people safe, we also need to think about our future.

As you've said, Mr. President, we need to build back better.

The past year has revealed all sorts of inequalities in our societies, and now more than ever, it is time to act.  

The time has come to rebuild stronger economies that will benefit everyone.

I know the President and I are on the same page when it comes to standing up for the middle class and people working hard to join it.

And with millions of families relying on the Canada-US partnership, this is work we must do together.

Just take the energy industry.

Canadian energy workers power homes on both sides of the border.

It goes to show that we’re all better off for this partnership.

Today, the President and I discussed leveraging supply chains and support for businesses to create good, well-paying jobs and help people who have been hardest hit get back on their feet.

Here in Canada, innovation and clean energy will play a critical role in our plan to rebuild our economy.

The President and I discussed the importance of clean growth to create new opportunities for Canadians and Americans, and also to protect the environment and fight climate change.

We must continue to take meaningful action to respect the Paris Accord and achieve our goals for a net-zero emissions future.

Finally, we also discussed ways to build a stronger and more peaceful world.

To protect our citizens and our communities, we must work together.

This includes strengthening continental defence and combating violent extremism.

And around the world, we must defend our shared values and interests, for example, by renewing alliances and supporting multilateral institutions.

In that regard, I would like to thank President Biden for his support in the matter of the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor from arbitrary detention in China.

We are facing tough times, there’s no doubt.

But we are not facing them alone.

Canada and the United States are each other’s closest allies, most important trading partners, and oldest friends.

And we stand united to beat this pandemic and build a better tomorrow, and I know our bond will grow even stronger.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Joe, for your leadership, for your engagement, and thank you in advance for all the great work we are going to be doing together. Thank you, my friend.