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Good morning, everyone. I know many of you have seen reports about my mum. I want to let you know that I’ve spoken with her and she’s doing just fine. I’m thankful to everyone who has reached out, and want to also thank the first responders who were there doing an extraordinary job.

Hello everyone. From coast to coast to coast, there are Canadians working long hours to keep each other safe and keep our country moving.  But for everyone putting in an extra shift right now – there’s someone else who wants to work but can’t. Maybe you’ve been laid off because of the pandemic. Maybe you still have a job, but aren’t sure if your employer is going to keep you around next month.

Before we get started today, I wanted to thank the organizers of yesterday’s vigil for the victims of the Nova Scotia shooting. The pandemic may have prevented us from gathering in person, but we still found a way to come together to celebrate the lives of the victims and support their families.

This has been a heartbreaking week for Nova Scotians and for all Canadians.

Today at sundown marks the beginning of Ramadan. For many Muslim Canadians, the coming month will be different than normal, with iftar online and virtual Friday prayers.

Before we get started, I want to talk about the latest updates coming out of Nova Scotia. The RCMP has now confirmed that at least 22 people were killed in this weekend’s terrible attacks.

I want to begin by noting Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

I rise on this day, in this Chamber, as all of us and all Canadians are heartbroken.

We are a country that stands united in our effort to defeat a pandemic, to save lives, and to help each other make it to a better day. But yesterday, we were jolted from that common cause by the senseless violence and tragedy in Nova Scotia. But yesterday, we were jolted from that common cause by the senseless violence and tragedy in Nova Scotia.

Before we get started, I want to touch briefly on the unfolding events in Portapique, Nova Scotia. I know we’ve all been watching this on the news. My heart goes out to everyone affected, in what is a terrible situation.