CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Good morning, everyone.
Now please don’t be too worried – I’m back in isolation at home, but that doesn’t mean you have to be.
In the last week, I had very productive meetings at the G7, NATO, and the Canada-European Union summits. At these summits in Europe with our allies, we made important progress on everything from ending this pandemic for good, to creating middle class jobs.
Anyone returning from international travel right now still has to quarantine for 14 days, and that includes me.
So today, I’ve got some important news to share, which I’ll do from quarantine here at Rideau Cottage.
But before I get started, I want to address the hateful acts that far too many communities in our country have continued to face this week.
It is unacceptable to see a swastika painted in Downsview Park in Toronto. It is unacceptable to have hateful graffiti painted on a mosque in Edmonton.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia have no place in our communities, and hatred and discrimination of any kind have no place in our country. This is something we’ll never stand for.
Because the cost of turning a blind eye – it’s much too high.
Together, we must always denounce these unacceptable acts and support communities, and that is exactly what our government will continue to do.
It’s been a difficult few weeks for many people across the country.
People in London continue to grieve the loss of the Afzaal family.
In Indigenous communities, this has been a time of mourning.
As a country, we have to continue to work for justice, and to build a better Canada for everyone.
This morning, I want to share some important updates about vaccine deliveries, supporting communities, and our plan to safely reopen.
Let’s start with news on vaccines.
Canada is getting millions more Moderna doses brought forward from our summer shipment schedule into June, and we're locking in shipments for the first half of July.
We’ve worked hard with Moderna to make this happen, and we’re also getting extra doses from the U.S.
Minister Anand will have the breakdown of the numbers later this morning, but here’s the bottom line.
Just like we surpassed our delivery numbers for the first quarter of this year, we’re doing the same for the spring quarter.
That will mean that for the end of June, as promised, we’ll be at well over 50 million doses total.
And by the end of July, we’ll be over 68 million doses for Canadians.
I want to thank Minister Anand, her department, and our teams in Washington, D.C. and around the world, who are working to get Canadians as many doses as quickly as possible.
A big shout-out as well to Minister Hajdu, and everyone at the Public Health Agency and the National Operations Centre, for coordinating the rollout across the country.
We’ll have more details to share next week about shipment dates for the new Moderna doses.
And of course, we’ll provide that information to the provinces and territories right away so that they can get these doses into arms as quickly as possible.
Because that’s what this is about, getting you your vaccine as soon as possible.
Getting it to your parents, friends, and neighbours.
Every dose keeps someone safe.
Every dose is a step closer to the end of this pandemic for Canadians.
With this many vaccines coming in – and the fact that there are lots of Canadians who are very eager to get their shots – we are on the path to end this crisis in Canada.
Almost 75 per cent of eligible Canadians have received a first dose.
Together, we will beat COVID-19.
But it’s important to continue to get our first and second doses as soon as possible.
That is what will let us see people we have missed during lockdown, and start to get back to more and more of the things we love.
Together, we will get through this crisis.
No one, and no community, will be left behind.
On that note, I want to give an update on support for Kashechewan First Nation in Ontario.
In the last few weeks, COVID-19 cases have risen very quickly in the community, mostly among children.
At the end of May, we approved a deployment of the Canadian Rangers to help get the situation under control.
Alongside the community, they’ve worked very hard to keep people safe, but even so, cases remain far too high.
That’s why we’re approving additional support from the Canadian Armed Forces for Kashechewan First Nation.
The Armed Forces will be in the community until at least the end of the month, to help with everything from isolation sites to delivering food.
We will continue to be here for all communities, during this crisis and as we rebuild.
Yesterday evening, that’s exactly what I discussed with the premiers.
As I said to them, I’m focused on supporting Canadians through this crisis, keeping vaccines rolling out, and working together on a responsible reopening.
On that final point – reopening – next week our government will have more to say about our plan that will let people get back to travelling while keeping everyone else safe.
Finally, this morning I want to address some recent developments in the House of Commons.
The work we do in Parliament matters.
And it matters because it affects you, your family, and your communities.
In the House right now, we’re working to extend support that millions of Canadians need to get through the final stretch of this pandemic, from the wage subsidy to small business loans to the sickness benefit.
This is progressive legislation and a progressive agenda that will help Canadians.
There’s important work to be done, and not only on supporting people through this crisis.
We’re also working to ban the unacceptable, discredited, and harmful practice of conversion therapy.
And we’re working to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
In other words, we’re working on what matters to you. I’ve been fortunate to know Harjit for a long time.
He’s one of the most honest and hardworking people I’ve ever met.
His entire career, and now as Minister, he’s been dedicated to transforming the culture of our military.
He’s working to combat sexual misconduct in the Armed Forces, including on expanding the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre and he will keep doing that work.
We know there’s still much more to be done to protect all those who choose to serve their country.
We will keep supporting everyone who serves in the Armed Forces.
We will keep supporting you and your family.
And we will work every day to build a stronger future for everyone.