Thank you, Catherine. Thank you for the warm welcome. I also remember our meeting in February when we discussed housing, and here we are today to make some great announcements. We’re going to continue to work in cooperation with all levels of government and all partners to respond to this crisis. It’s great to be here in Longueuil with you, but also, of course, with Premier Legault. We’ve made some great announcements here recently, and we’re going to keep making them, because it’s by working together that we’re going to deliver. I also want to acknowledge Minister Duranceau, Minister Fraser, and member of Parliament Sherry Romanado.

We are all gathered here today for an important announcement, but before I begin, I want to say that it was with horror that we learned this morning of the gunshots that were fired at several Jewish schools here in Montréal last night. Let me be very clear: we condemn in the strongest terms this anti-Semitic violence. This hatred has no place here in Montréal, nor anywhere in Quebec or Canada. We need to remember who we are. I know that emotions are running high—people are frightened and in mourning—but as Canadians, attacking each other is not what we do.

François, as I mentioned, we were together a few weeks ago for the historic Northvolt announcement, not too far from here. This summer, we gathered for the launch of the REM, and we are again adding to the list of what we can achieve when we work in partnership. Today, we’re here to talk about housing, but before we begin, I’d also like to share some good news for unions and Canadian workers.

We know that our economy depends on relations between industry and unions. When the two sides come to the table to defend their respective interests, there must be compromises and an agreement. So, to safeguard this process, today our Government is proposing legislation to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces during a strike or lockout.

Today, we're introducing legislation to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces during a strike or lockout. The use of replacement workers can distract from negotiations, it can prolong disputes, and it can damage labour relations for years to come. Our economy depends on employers and workers negotiating an agreement at the table in free and fair bargaining processes. That's where we get stability for our economy, that's where strong labour relations are forged, and that's where the best deals are made.

Finally, I’m delighted to be here today to make an announcement about building more housing. If there’s one issue on which we absolutely must continue to work in partnership—with the municipalities, the provinces, the private sector, and non-profit organizations—it’s housing. It requires a whole-of-society effort.

Because we need to make housing more affordable. We’re working on this tirelessly with Minister Sean Fraser, member of Parliament Sherry Romanado, and our entire team. We owe it to our youth, families, and vulnerable people. All Quebecers and all Canadians deserve a real and fair chance to succeed. So, we need to build more homes faster, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here today.

Today, we’re making an-… we’re announcing an agreement that’s unique in the country. The federal government will invest 900 million dollars over four years in Quebec under the Housing Accelerator Fund, and the Government of Quebec will match that amount, for a total of 1.8 billion dollars to build more homes, faster, for Quebecers.

When we launched the Housing Accelerator Fund, we were clear that we needed to eliminate red tape and remove barriers. Well, this new agreement with the Government of Quebec will mean more ambitious plans right across the province to build more homes faster.

What Quebec has introduced and will continue to introduce as a reform is among the most ambitious efforts we will see across the country to tackle the housing crisis, which is a priority shared by our two governments.

We know we still have a lot of work to do to make housing more affordable, but today's agreement is a major step in the right direction. Not only will it fast track the construction of tens of thousands of homes over the coming years, it will also provide funding to build thousands of homes for vulnerable people.

Earlier, I had the opportunity to visit the apartments behind us, which are nearing completion. These new homes, which were made possible by investments from all levels of government, are another excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership. Chantal Laferrière, executive director of the Espoir organization, explained the work that they will be doing here to house and support people with mental health problems. I want to thank Chantal, and of course, her entire team, for the work you do. We’ll continue to be here to support projects like this across the country.

But let's remember Canada's housing crisis is a solvable issue. We've solved challenges like this before in our past and we will do it again as long as we work together. We're focused on securing the promise of Canada, that promise that every generation can do better, built on the hard work of the previous generation.

Throughout our history, we’ve managed to solve housing crises, and we’re going to do it again by working together. Canada is the best country in the world—let’s continue working together to make it even better.

Thank you. And now, it is my pleasure to turn the floor to my friend, Premier Legault. François.