 My fellow Canadians, good evening. In the West, good afternoon. I want to speak directly to you today because Canada is at a crossroads. I know that the fight against COVID-19 has been difficult for all Canadians during the last six months. For too many people, it is a matter of life or death. And for all of us, collectively, it is the fight of our generation. In the spring, we all worked together to flatten the curve, and our efforts brought fruit. But now, the virus is returning in force in several parts of the country. In our four biggest provinces, the second wave isn't just starting. It's already underway. The numbers are clear. Back on March 13, when we went into lockdown, there were 47 new cases of COVID-19. Yesterday alone, we had well over a thousand. We're on the brink of a fall that could be much worse than the spring. I know this isn't the news that any of us wanted to hear. And we can't change today's numbers or even tomorrow's. Those were already decided by what we did or didn't do two weeks ago. But what we can change is where we are in October and into the winter. It's all too likely we won't be gathering for Thanksgiving. But we still have a shot at Christmas. Together, we have the power to get the second wave under control. I know we can do it because we've already done it once before. In the spring, we all did our part by staying home. And this fall, we have even more tools in the toolbox. People are wearing masks. That's critical. So keep it up. We've got the COVID Alert app. Take the teacher who felt fine but who tested positive after the app warned her she'd been exposed. COVID Alert meant she went home instead of the classroom. It's a powerful, free tool that's easy to use and protects your privacy. So if you haven't already, download it off the app store or Google Play. It's one more way to keep ourselves and others safe. Another is to get your flu shot this fall. The gestures we're making today will make all the difference on what will happen in two weeks and in two months. Wear a mask. It saves lives. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Do your vaccines against flu. Listen to public health agencies, as Dr. Tam said yesterday, limit your social circle. Avoid taking risks that are not necessary. It's not the time to start. No one is invincible. And your loved ones are no longer there. We can't lower our guard, even in places where the number of cases is still low. And everyone, if you please, download the COVID Alert app. It's easy and free. It protects your privacy. And it's a gesture that will protect you and the people around you. This is the time for all of us, as Canadians, to do our part for our country, as government does its part for you. There's a covenant between government and the people government serves. You need to know that you can rely on us, just like you can rely on each other. When we face this crisis, when we are ready to rebuild, we will continue to be there for you. Government has presented a plan with four pillars to respond to this crisis. The first thing to do is to protect people's health. The actions of our parents and grandparents, those of the generation who have faced the Great Depression and the Second World War, remind us that we must be resilient and patient during the crisis. They have built the world today. And it's now up to us to build the world tomorrow, starting by protecting them. The situation experienced by too many of our children in long-term care centers is unacceptable. It has to change, and it will change. In the spring, we sent the Armed Forces to help, and the Red Cross is still on the ground. We will work with the provinces and territories to establish new national standards for long-term care. Job 1 is keeping people safe. That's why we're signing deals on multiple potential vaccines, on therapeutics, on personal protective equipment. In fact, because we mobilized this spring, Canadians are now producing almost every type of PPE we need. We're helping the provinces and territories ramp up their capacity on testing while creating a federal response team for surge demand. And as soon as there's approval for faster tests to be used safely, we'll get them out across the country. If you need a test, you should be able to get one This is about safety, and it's about what's right for Canadians. Protecting your health is the best thing we can do for the economy. So that's what we're working on first. And that brings me to the second part of the plan, supporting Canadians through this pandemic. The federal government will have your back, whatever it takes, to help you get through this crisis. Maybe you were one of the almost 9 million people who used the Canada Emergency Response Benefit this spring. We will continue to support all those who need it with a strengthened and broadened employment insurance system. Maybe your boss was able to keep you on the job or hire you back because the emergency wage subsidy helped with the payroll. People still need this program, so we're extending it right through to next summer. Or perhaps you're a business owner needing extra help to bridge to better times. For you, among other measures, we're expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account. And there's a lot more we're going to do. Go to canada.ca.coronavirus to see what support is available right now and how to apply. I know some people are asking how we can afford to do all this for Canadians. That's fair. The low interest rates mean we can afford it. And in fact, doing less would end up costing far more. Doing less would mean a slower recovery and bigger deficits in the long run. While we're dealing with this pandemic, I don't want you or your parent or your friend to take on debt that your government can bet her shoulder. So yes, in the short term, we'll keep investing. But beyond the emergency, as we start to build back better, we must do that in a fiscally and sustainable way. Investing for our recovery must be done responsibly. You know, the pandemic reveals fundamental inequalities in our society. But now, we have the opportunity to act so that it changes. We're going to build a better society for everyone by making the economy better for everyone. This is the third pillar of government approach. By creating a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, we'll ensure that kids have access to care and that no parent, especially no mother, has to put their career on hold. This pandemic has reminded us all that building strong social supports is essential to growing the economy. By accelerating progress on national universal pharmacare, we'll get people the medicine they need while alleviating pressure on the healthcare system. By investing to eliminate chronic guillotine, we're going to create safer and more prosperous communities. The housing isn't just a problem, it's also a solution. It creates jobs, it allows people to expand and contribute. We all want to build a stronger country for everyone. To do this, we have to double our efforts to fight climate change. It's also the best way to ensure good jobs for today and for tomorrow. Energy workers innovating to decarbonize. Auto workers building zero-emission vehicles, volunteers and construction workers delivering green retrofits for our homes and buildings. These are some of the people who will create a competitive economy of the future. As we do this work, protecting people's health, supporting Canadians, building back better, we can't forget what it's all for. Making sure that everyone can participate to their full potential. And that's the final part of the plan. In this country, we must keep making progress on reconciliation with indigenous peoples and on fighting systemic racism. Diversity is not just our strength, it's our competitive edge. Our differences enrich us, whatever the color of our skin, our beliefs, our culture, our language. In our country, we are proud to have two official languages, English and French that we will continue to protect. In Canada, we know that we are stronger when we are united and when we help each other. We face the challenges together. That's what helped us to deal with the crisis better than any other. This is not the first time our country has been called to stand united and strong. In the face of change, our greatest generation showed us that change isn't easy. They didn't give up, and neither can we. To parents feeling like you can't get your life under control, to kids wondering why mom and dad can't just fix this, to seniors feeling like there's nothing you can do and thinking about all the things you can't do, that's understandable. But can't will not define us. We can bend the curve. We can build a stronger future. We can define the change. Canadians are people who say, I'm capable. In each sector, in the four corners of the country, each of us is finally doing its part. The history of this pandemic is the history of people who make sacrifices, of people who work hard every day to be there for each other. And it's above all the history of the first-line workers, heroes from one ocean to another who have never hesitated, who have never retreated to this fight. You are a source of inspiration for all of us. We are at the crossroads and the future is between our hands. We're at a crossroads. There are many days to go before we get to the other side of this. But there are also many of us to get us there. So long as we each remember to do our part. And I know that we will. We are Canadians. And together, there's nothing we can't do. Take care of yourselves, my friends. Thank you.