Honourable senators, many of you have highlighted the extraordinary contribution of our essential workers during this pandemic. Allow me to add to this group of heroes some extraordinary individuals who are making a big difference behind the scenes. There are more than 700,000 of them across Canada, and every morning their mission is to welcome, guide and educate our country’s young people. Of course I am talking about our teachers and I want to thank them.

Being a teacher is hard enough under normal conditions. In the midst of this pandemic, it is a colossal challenge. There is the curriculum to follow, of course, but that is just a small part of their responsibilities. Our teachers have had to adapt very quickly and urgently to new health measures, new instructions, and new ways of teaching on site or remotely. They rose to the challenge with excellence.

Dear teachers, in the face of adversity you continue to be positive, dynamic and cheerful. Our children truly need this sense of normalcy. Your role is extremely important.

We can see how the pandemic is negatively affecting young people, and you are clearly part of the solution to minimize that impact. I thank you for that.

UNICEF Canada says it clearly:

How many children recover, how quickly and how well, from the pandemic depends on the current response to the crisis . . . .

And our teachers are a central aspect of that response.

We know it’s not easy. Even last night, “The National” had a feature on teachers under strain. Our world today looks very different than it did at the beginning of the year. Dear teachers, this is not what you signed up for, but you are doing it regardless, and you are doing it well. Because of you, children across this country are staying safe and are thriving, healthy and happy. This is no small task, and it is certainly one of the most important things that we can do for Canada right now.

I want to thank all teachers, from the bottom of my heart.