 Thank you, Michel, for this warm welcome. Hello, everyone. I know we have a lot of distinguished guests in the room, and I would like to thank you all and all of you for being with us today to welcome a very special guest to Canada. Tishuk Kenny, on behalf of all Canadians, welcome to Montreal, to my hometown, and to Canada. It's an honour to have you here with us today. I'm especially pleased that we were able to spend some time together right here in Montreal. It's my hometown for starters. I wouldn't have the privilege of sharing the stage with you this afternoon if it wasn't for the residents of the District of Papineau who vested their trust in me for many years now. Montreal serves as a great example of the way in which our two countries, Canada and Ireland, are so deeply connected. The first wave of Irish immigrants arrived here in Montreal in the first half of the 19th century, and it wasn't quite the same city it is today. At the time, it was a small commercial city, the fact of being located on an island left to be thanked by the weather, because the only way to ensure the entry and exit of the merchandise was by boat. But despite these difficult conditions, tens of thousands of Irish immigrants have chosen to settle in Montreal. It's the place where they decided to settle, to raise their families, and to find the sense of belonging to the community they had known in Ireland. These new Irish immigrants have chosen one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, and they have contributed to making it a real metropolis. Irish-Canadian workers participated in the construction of some of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of the time. First, the Canal de la Chine, and later the Victoria Bridge, an important commercial link that was linked to Montreal to the North American market and to the rest of the world. Avocados and Irish-Canadian entrepreneurs have become prominent figures in the work of Montreal, while others have chosen to enter politics, and they have known success as mayor and prime minister. Those who have come from Ireland have brought with them the qualities for which the Irish are recognized through the world, the ingenuity, the hard work, and, of course, the joy of living. They have transmitted these qualities to their daughters and sons, then to their little daughters and their little sons, and they have always benefited from their numerous contributions. The McCord Museum, St. Patrick's Basilica, the neighbourhood of Gryffindown, the Black Rock that commemorates the lives of those who perished on their journey from Ireland to Canada, and yes, the La Chine Canal and the Victoria Bridge, now landmarks in this city that so many of us are so proud to call home. For centuries, millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants made Canada their home, and we are all better for it. Stronger culturally, you need look no further than events across Canada, like the annual Miramashi Irish Festival in New Brunswick, to know that the Irish culture is alive and well in all corners of our country. As you've heard me say once or twice before, it's diversity that makes this country so strong. Stronger politically, our mutual respect for democratic values guides both our governance and the way we approach the world. Together, Ireland and Canada continue to work harder to create better opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it. And stronger economically too. Most recently, our collaboration bore fruit when Irish and Canadian officials worked alongside our European partners to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Throughout the lengthy negotiation process, Ireland and Kenny were steadfast supporters of this historic trade deal. So I want to thank him once again for his leadership and helping to secure this truly progressive agreement that will create more opportunities for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. Kenny and I agree on the fact that to make our economy grow, we need a strong middle class. We believe that companies should have access to new markets to export their goods and services, and that consumers should pay a fair price when they go to jail. We believe that when trade agreements are well-consumed, they are able to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and generate greater prosperity. The ECG is one of these agreements. And that's why we both supported its ratification and promoted it. An ambitious and truly comprehensive deal, CETA is an excellent agreement for Canada and for its European partners. It will increase trade by opening up new markets and create good, well-paying middle class jobs for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. But what makes CETA a truly progressive agreement, and I would argue a model for all future global trade deals, is the fact that it is very much in line with the values of the countries involved. It contains provisions on labour protection, the environment, responsible investment, food and consumer safety, and the management of natural resources. The ratification of CETA was a crucial step toward creating real, meaningful growth that will benefit everyone, and it would not have been possible without the help and support of T-shirt Kenny, his officials, and of all our European partners. And we got here through understanding that both Canada and the EU want most what is best for all our peoples. We want hard-working middle-class families to make a fair wage and comfortably support future generations. We want our kids to have every opportunity that we didn't have. We want future generations to enjoy a higher standard of living, stronger communities, and greater prosperity. And with this partnership, we're well on our way. Canada and Ireland have delivered a trade agreement that we can all be proud of. CETA might be the latest proof of what we can accomplish when we work together, but I know it will not be the last. Canada and Ireland will continue to deepen our close ties and create more opportunities for the middle class. It is my hope that we will continue to work closely on our shared priorities, including our desire to be global leaders in innovation and to build better societies that work for everyone, not just the top 1%. This is how we will continue to move forward, not only as close partners, but as true friends. And Canadians across the country are reminded of this special bond when they look at the names of our streets or hear the last name of their neighbors or stop to watch Montreal's famous St. Patrick's Day Parade. Once again, I want to thank you for being with us today. Join me to warmly welcome Tishuk Kenney. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Tishuk Enda Kenney.