Thank you, Your Honour. I want to send Senator Griffin a big hug and say that I will miss seeing her in this chamber.

Dear colleagues, tomorrow, Friday, March 4, we celebrate World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development. Proclaimed in 2019 by UNESCO, the purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the role of engineering in modern life, which is essential to mitigate the impact of climate change and advance sustainable development.

This year, we highlight the role of engineering in building back wiser. The entire planet is facing two crises of historic proportions at the same time: the COVID-19 public health crisis and the climate crisis caused by fossil fuels. Engineers have had an extremely important role to play in overcoming these crises and achieving a better balance between nature and humans, and their role will become even more important over time. From developing new, more efficient technology to deploying infrastructure that can withstand the new climate reality, engineers have opportunities to restore well-being and improve everyone’s quality of life.

As you know, colleagues, I am an engineer and I have spent my entire career teaching the next generation of engineers. These are the people already helping us build cleaner and more resilient societies. They understand the challenges we face.

Extreme weather and rapid alterations to Canada’s climate are risks to both public safety and the reliability of Canada’s infrastructure. The disruption and cost to Canada’s economy when infrastructure is damaged or destroyed by extreme weather events is growing and becoming more frequent across Canada, with engineers having a significant role to play in addressing climate change issues. The engineering community is coming together to protect present and future generations. Please join me, on World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, in recognizing their exceptional work here in Canada and across the world.

Thank you, meegwetch.