 We've got a lot to discuss today, and first and foremost, I must begin with the horrific discovery of First Nations children buried at the former residential school in Kamloops. Our country failed them. It failed their communities and their families. That is the truth, and it is a truth we must all face. We know that the Kamloops Pension Act was not an isolated incident. We know that research is underway to find out what happened to children lost in the system, Indigenous Pensioners. And we know that the damage caused by these schools perplexed by generations later, and that Indigenous peoples are still suffering from systemic discrimination and racism. Over the weekend, cities and towns from coast to coast to coast half-masted their flags. Thank you. It is vital that as a country, we all acknowledge this appalling and shameful policy of residential schools. In the weeks and months to come, there will be much, much more work ahead. Yesterday, I met with my cabinet to discuss our next steps on concrete action to support survivors, families, and Indigenous peoples. This is work we must all be part of. Because as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to actions remind us, any efforts to repair the terrible wrongs done by residential schools can only happen if every order of government takes action alongside Indigenous peoples. This is all of Canada's responsibility as we walk together on the path of reconciliation. Hundreds of children were buried in an anonymous tomb. It happened here, in our country. They stole their future, their families, and their communities that could never be seen again. Canada is a born on it. As a country, we must always choose to do better. Every time we face challenges or horrors together, we must always keep a common objective in mind, to build a better and fairer country for everyone. In order to achieve this, we must have difficult conversations. Above all, we must face the truth. It is the only possible avenue. I've been coming to the FCM's annual conference every year for almost a decade now. In that time, we've done a lot together. But as I look back at this past year, I don't think there's ever been a moment where we've worked more or better as partners. From day one, we knew it would take a true Team Canada effort to beat this pandemic. And yes, there were lots of calls and check-ins with many of you on local hotspots and emergency efforts. But I'm also talking about a Team Canada approach that goes deeper. An approach where we all come together around a common goal and each do our part to get there. Just take the vaccine rollout. We worked hard early in the pandemic to position our government well, to negotiate vaccine contracts, handle the international shipments and coordinate supplies. The provinces and territories are delivering these vaccines to the front lines. And you, as municipalities, are getting people out to vaccine clinics, including with public awareness campaigns that ensure no one is left behind. For all the exceptional work you've accomplished, thank you. It shows everything we can do by collaborating as a team. More than half of Canadians now have had at least their first dose of vaccines. In many regions, the number of cases has decreased and local companies are starting to open. However, it doesn't mean that our work is over. In reality, it's rather the opposite. Cities like Winnipeg are still being hit hard by COVID-19. And right across the country, the impacts of this pandemic continue to be felt on the front lines, in the budgets of municipalities and by communities wondering when Main Street will be back to normal. That's why we doubled the Canada Community Building Fund, formerly known as the Gas Tax Transfer, and created the Safe Restart Agreement so you can support your communities. And it's why we invested to help many municipalities balance your budgets and give hard-working Canadians tax breaks. Standing together has brought us this far. It's saved lives and kept small businesses afloat. So once this pandemic is over, and hopefully it will be soon, what reason could we have to not continue to use this Team Canada effort? It's the time to continue our efforts to improve the lives of people from one end to the other in the country. Already, despite the pandemic, we are advancing essential projects. I am thinking of the access to high-speed internet, the use of water treatment, or what we do to ensure people's safety. On this subject, Minister Montsef will meet with you this week to discuss the way we fight online to prevent violence against women and girls. Over the past few months, we have also taken important measures in the collective transport to help cities and municipalities. In spring, we announced a funding of several billion dollars for the permanent infrastructure of the collective transport, including funds specifically for rural communities and for public transport in the regions. Whether it is by connecting people or by creating jobs, these investments will bring real change. And I know we can, and we will, make it even more so together. It brings me to talk about another issue that is important for all of us and for all Canadians – housing. In too many places, owning a home is too far out of reach. After all, how's a young family somewhere like Vancouver supposed to put away enough money when regular houses cost upward of a million dollars? And in Canada's largest city, it now takes almost 280 months for an average family to save for a down payment. Look, owning a home is a big investment, so it makes sense to rent or stay with family while working towards a down payment. But 23 years to save for a house, that's just not reasonable. Young people aren't facing a housing problem – they're facing a housing crisis. We've got a generation of Canadians who are starting their lives and may be hoping to start a family without the same opportunity as their parents or grandparents to get a first home and build equity and their future. Things need to change, and that's what our government is focused on. Now, you know better than anyone that there's no silver bullet for the housing crisis. That's why over the past five years, we've come at this from every angle. We created the National Housing Strategy, which has meant more than a million people now have an affordable place to live. We launched the new Rapid Housing Initiative, something I know many of you advocated for, to make sure Canadians have a safe place to stay during and beyond this pandemic. At the same time, we've made it easier for young people to get into the housing market with the first-time homebuyer incentive. And just this spring, we announced attacks on vacant or underused homes held by foreign owners. After all, a home is a place to live, not a place to park foreign wealth. Of course, the housing crisis doesn't only concern people who want to become property owners, but even locals. It's not an option. In a country like Canada, and during a year like the one we've lived in, no one should sleep in the streets. And I know you agree with me. The housing market is a fundamental right. We know them in the National Housing Strategy law. And with investments in the National Housing Strategy and a support accrued to programs for treatment and dependency, we are determined to put an end to the chronic crisis in Canada. And of course, we will make it a partnership with you. My friends, the bar is high, but it is within reach. Because let's remember what this means for people. For the senior who now has a roof over her head. For the kids with the safe home they deserve. For the parents building a good life. For them, and for all Canadians, we must keep pushing forward. The levers needed to take on the housing crisis exist at all orders of government. From zoning and approvals to consumer protection to mortgage rules. We have to take this on together. So I want you to know that, as always, our government is here to be your partner. Through the FCM, you've asked for a more formal, recurring dialogue on housing affordability. Well, here's my commitment to you today. The federal government will be at that table. We're bringing our resources and our tools to the discussion. In fact, just yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland met with big city mayors to discuss how we make housing more affordable for the middle class. This is just the first of many discussions that she and Minister Hussain will be having with you and with municipal leaders from across the country. Together, as municipalities and the federal government, we can do a lot. But let's remember that a true Team Canada approach needs everyone on side. That's why we will also be reaching out to our provincial and territorial partners on finding solutions to the housing crisis. We all have a part to play in making homes more affordable for Canadians. Over the last year, we have seen the kind of results we can achieve by working together. By continuing this launch, we will make our communities stronger, more prosperous and healthier. Whether it's to help people buy a house, to ensure the quality of the air, or to give life back to the big commercial arteries, our work continues now and for the future. Obviously, as in every partnership, there will be moments when we won't always agree. And moments when we will see things differently. It's normal. It's sacred. But together, we will find ground to understand and solutions that work for every city, every municipality, and every region. That's what we have been able to do over the last few years. That's what we will continue to do. Because we all have the same goal, to rebuild a country stronger for everyone. And together, I know we will make it. Merci, mes chers amis.