As COVID-19 case numbers remain low, we’ve been fortunate to enjoy more and more activities this summer.

It’s been a particular treat to participate in recent events honouring our Korean War Naval veterans and Dieppe Raid veterans. But as Dr. Tam reminds us, the future of the pandemic is still very much in our hands — how we act, the decisions we take, will impact what the fall and winter will look like.

With September around the corner, I know there are a lot of anxieties about the future, especially going back to school. I’ve heard from hundreds of parents in the community asking for a safe September.

While the Public Health Agency of Canada has provided guidelines for provinces on how to safely reopen schools, the decisions as to how schools reopen are entirely the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Province.

I want you to know, though, that the federal government is doing its part through the Safe Restart Agreement that was negotiated with the provinces and territories last month. We have provided them over $19 billion so that they have the necessary tools and resources to safely reopen the economy, ensuring they have sufficient PPE for our frontline workers, the infrastructure for ample testing and contact tracing, and that child-care centres can provide care in a safe environment.

We’ve made additional investments in healthcare, including mental health, addiction supports and homelessness. And we have created a fund for municipalities, through which our own city is receiving $4.5 million in operations support and $1.5 million for public transit.

The federal government continues to demonstrate that we are doing everything we can to keep Canadians safe, healthy and economically secure. As we move into the fall, our government will present Canadians with a new Speech from the Throne that will outline our economic recovery plan.

You can count on me to raise the issues you care about and have confidence that the federal government will continue to listen to your concerns, adjust our programming as needed and have the backs of Canadians and Canadian businesses as we build an ambitious recovery plan out of the worst crisis the world has faced since the Second World War.