 Bon vendredi, tout le monde. Je suis heureux d'être accompagné à distance de la ministre Qualtrough et du ministre Leblanc et de la Docteur Tam et du Docteur New. Yesterday, we held our 21st First Minister's Call since the pandemic began. In our meeting, the premiers and I spoke about the surge of COVID-19 cases we're experiencing right across the country. This week, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan all set new records for COVID-19 hospitalizations. Yesterday, Ontario reported over 1,500 new cases, a record high for the third day in a row. New projections are suggesting that the province could be on track for over 6,500 cases a day by mid-December. We also set a new daily national record yesterday with nearly 5,000 new cases in Canada and 83 more Canadians lost to this virus. We have to reverse these trends now. Last night, we heard directly from the premiers about the current challenges in their provinces and about what further support they do or might need from the Government of Canada. We all benefited from hearing about the difficult choices different provinces are making. For instance, Manitoba, which weathered the first wave better than most, is now getting hit hard. On that front, I can announce that Minister Blair spoke with ministers Shuler and Friesen of Manitoba earlier this week. We've approved a request for support in their long-term care facilities until January 15, 2021. The Canadian Red Cross is already on the ground assessing the situation and is working with local and provincial authorities to determine their specific needs. COVID-19 surges, like the one they're experiencing in Manitoba, can happen anywhere. So we all have to be vigilant in every part of daily life and in every part of the community. I reassured the premiers that the federal government will always be there to help but reminded them as well that our resources are not infinite. Controlling the virus now reduces the chances of impossible decisions and choices we might have to make down the road. Finally, we raise the need for further collaboration on distributing a safe, effective vaccine across the country once it's ready. On Monday, we got some much-needed encouraging news about a potential vaccine. That's good. We all use a little hope these days, but we also have to remember that right now our fight against COVID-19 is far from over. The vaccine won't help you or your family if you get COVID-19 now. That's why we all need to keep working together to bend the curve, to protect each other and to save lives. Our priority is to protect Canadians. In addition to helping families, workers and businesses through the crisis, we also help provinces, territories and municipalities. We know that the context is difficult for municipalities who are on the front line and who continue to provide essential services every day. In the framework of the Agreement on Economic Relief, the federal government has invested more than $1 billion in municipalities in Quebec. In some cases, this help will allow, for example, to freeze taxes this year, to defy deficits or to improve public transport services. It's not the time to give up. Yesterday, we held a meeting of the Prime Minister of the provinces and territories. We discussed the ways we continue to take together to end the pandemic, as well as the possible deployment of a vaccine. Each province has shared its experience, and we continue to learn from each other. We have to double our efforts to stop the virus, and we will work as a team with all the governments' orders to get there. I also took the opportunity to talk about the positive conversation I had with President-elect Biden at the beginning of the week, and our ambassador to the United States joined us to answer their questions. Today, I can say that the mission of the Red Cross in Quebec's CHSLD will be extended until January 15, 2021. To the members of the Red Cross and to the women and men in uniform, thank you for your work, your professionalism and your dedication. To support Canadian workers and businesses during the second wave, we've extended the wage subsidy, created the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and expanded eligibility for the Canada Emergency Business Account. Now, more than ever, the labour market is evolving quickly, and workers need to be able to develop new skills. To help Canadians access training and services, we're already providing $3.4 billion to the provinces and territories under the labour market transfer agreements. Today, I can announce that we will invest an additional $1.5 billion in the workforce development agreements. This new investment will ensure quick access to training so that workers and sectors hardest hit by COVID-19, as well as underrepresented groups like persons with disabilities, women and indigenous peoples, can find and keep good jobs. This is another step towards creating a million jobs and rebuilding an inclusive economy that benefits all Canadians. Minister Qualtrough will have more to say on this important announcement in just a few moments. The labour market is evolving quickly, and it is important for workers to have access to the necessary training to adapt. Some sectors of the economy were particularly affected by the consequences of the pandemic. Our government wants to help these workers expand their skills so that they can reintegrate the labour market quickly. Today, I therefore announce that we will invest $1.5 billion in the workforce development agreements. By improving the resources linked to employment and training, we help workers who need it to find and keep good jobs. This is with a strong and qualified workforce that we will be able to rebuild an inclusive economy in which all Canadians will have their place. I want to end today by recognizing that we're coming into yet another weekend where many Canadians are being asked to stay home. It's not easy, but we can't let our guard down. I know you're probably getting sick of hearing this, just like you're sick of hearing about COVID-19. It's been a tough year, and we all want this pandemic to end. But we have to do our part to flatten the curve before it gets any worse. So I'm asking you, yet again, to do your part and follow public health instructions. If you're not exactly sure what those are in your area, visit your local government's website. Continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance, get the flu shot, avoid gatherings, and download and use the free COVID Alert app. Many people with COVID-19 don't know how they caught it or from where. That's what makes the app so important. It notifies others and notifies you that you've come into contact with the virus, maybe without even knowing it. As of today, over 4,000 people have already reported their positive test result by entering their one time code into the app. That means thousands more were then alerted and able to take proper precautions. That's a great start, but I know we can do even better. So please, if you get a positive test result, enter your one time code into the app so it can do its work and we can all slow the spread of the virus. On Monday, we had encouraging news about a promising vaccine. It's good to hear good news, especially these days. We must keep hope, but you must also be aware that our fight is far from over. I know there are a lot of people who are tired of hearing about it, and I find it flat. They want to go to other things, and I understand them. We all know someone who is vulnerable. We all have our reasons to stay vigilant, to want to protect our first-line workers, to know that we can and must do everything we can to reduce the spread of this virus. We all have to do our part. Governments do their part. Local health authorities do their part. Our first-line workers do their part. But we can't do that without the individuals, without the families, without the people who make the right choices. We must absolutely reduce the number of cases right now to be in the best possible position in the face of winter to save lives. So I ask you to follow the advice of your local health authorities. Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance, get vaccinated against the flu, avoid gatherings. Join the 5.2 million Canadians who have already downloaded the free COVID alert application, and if you receive a positive test result, enter your code to inform others who have been in contact with you. The situation is not easy, but we know in one way or another that we will make it. Take care of yourself this weekend and in the future.