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Thank you.
Thank you to the FIFA Vice-President, Vittorio Montagliani. Thank you, Sonia Benezra. Thank you to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Steven Guilbeault, and to all the guests and artists who are here today.
But most of all, thank you!
What a crowd! What a capital! What a country!
I have two words for you: O Canada.
Let me tell you: There’s no place I’d rather be today than here in “the true North strong and free,” celebrating Canada Day with all of you!
Over the past six months, I’ve crisscrossed our nation and visited many countries – and I have never been prouder to say: I am a Canadian.
I am particularly proud of the fact that, in the face of a world fraught with turmoil and division, we, as a thoughtful people gathered under the Maple Leaf, have considered all our options, and have chosen our direction – not to pull apart to fight, but to come together to build.
That’s the Canadian way.
Our history has been marked by similar reactions at such inflection points.
Moments where Canadians have chosen to come together and step up.
On the battlefield of Vimy Ridge during the First World War.
On the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War.
In the homes of Gander after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Once again, the world is being convulsed.
Our economy is being buffeted by a trade war we didn’t start.
Our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms that we must resist.
And, once again, as the world is becoming more divided and dangerous, Canadians are uniting.
We are putting our values into action.
Our response is to build, to create opportunities here at home by making our economy stronger.
That’s what we’re doing with Bill C-5, which has just been passed by a large majority of members of Parliament.
Bill C-5 is a new national ‘building permit’ – that allows us, indeed compels us, to come together and “build, baby build!”
Nation building in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
Together, we will build one Canadian economy – connected by major projects, powered by Canadian energy, transformed by Canadian technology, and crafted by Canadian workers.
Together, we will break down barriers across the country so you can ‘Buy Canadian’ everywhere and you can work in Canada anywhere.
Together, we will rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in our Armed Forces.
So that Canadian leadership is defined not only by the strength of our values, but also by the value of our strength.
Together, we take control of our future.
Together, we are writing our own story rather than letting others dictate theirs to us.
A few weeks ago, in a historic Throne Speech, King Charles III told Canadians:
“We must be clear-eyed: The world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.”
The King went on to stress that this hinge moment in history presents an “incredible opportunity for renewal – an opportunity to think big and act bigger.”
That’s how Canada carved out the St. Lawrence Seaway in five short years.
That’s how we organized Expo 67 in just four and a half years.
It’s time to harness once again that same industrious spirit, to do things we previously thought impossible at speeds not seen for generations.
It’s time to build twice as many homes every year with a new housing industry using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers, and Canadian lumber.
It’s time to build new trade and energy corridors in partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples.
It’s time to create hundreds of thousands of good careers in the skilled trades.
It’s time to make Canada a superpower in green and conventional energy.
It’s time to make our companies more competitive while fighting climate change.
Canadians are at our best when, as Thomas D’Arcy McGee so eloquently put it, we “lift ourselves to the level of our destinies.”
Canada is already the greatest country in the world. Our destiny is to make it greater still.
Greatness isn’t defined with words. It’s achieved by actions.
Greatness isn’t something we say. It’s what we do – for ourselves and for others.
We know that a strong economy is not an end in and of itself, but the means through which all Canadians can live in security, in dignity, and in harmony.
So, while we enjoy Canada Day with our friends and family, we remember that many Canadians are still struggling and suffering.
As we enjoy our parks, pools, and lakes, we cannot forget about climate change burning our forests and destroying biodiversity.
While we enjoy peace and security at home, we witness the wars and terrors abroad.
After 158 years, Canadians have accomplished so much – in times of peace and war, in our laboratories and galleries, on the ice and in the water, on our land and in space, in our boardrooms, classrooms, and community centres.
We have much to celebrate.
And even more to accomplish.
I am humbled to be Prime Minister of the greatest country on earth – a country that is great in part because we know it can be even better.
A country that does things because they’re right, not because they’re easy.
A people that sees kindness as a virtue, not a weakness.
Now is the time to build a Canada worthy of its values.
A Canada worthy of its people.
A Canada for all – and for all time.
Vive le Canada.
Merci.