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Monsieur, bonjour à toutes et à tous, Madame la Présidente von der Leyen. Distinguished guests, Madames and Monsieur, welcome. Moreal.

It's an honor to host you at the special CD Howe Institute event. Montréal.

C'est un honneur de vous accueillir à cet événement très spécial.

It's a particular privilege to welcome the President of the European. Madame la Présidente, merci d'être avec nous.

Your presence ahead of the Canada-European Union summit shows how much this relationship matters and underlines the opportunities that lie ahead.

I'd like to thank our event sponsor, Baskin, and especially Eric Gall, whose support made this morning possible.

Un grand merci à Raskine et Eric de qui ont rendu possible cette rencontre.

I want to recognize Jonathan Wilkinson, Ambassador of Canada to the European Union, who's here with us today.

I also want to highlight our partners in McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy and in particular, Jennifer Wesche, director of the school, and Pierre Bou,

Chancellor of Nous sommes fiers de travailler avec une institution qui partage notre engagement envers le débat public et des politiques fondées sur les données probantes.

The CD Howe Institute is an independent, non-partisan. Research Institute.

Notre mission est d'améliorer le niveau de vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens grâce à des politiques publiques économiquement judicieuses.

For more than 65 years, we've brought together leaders from business, government,

and academia to examine the issues shaping Canada's economic future.

We believe rigorous analysis, open debate, and constructive engagement make for better public policy, especially when the stakes are highest. P Vaclavenil de Canada Casel canoe entrebe.

Many decades of trade, investment, and cooperation have given us a strong foundation.

We share democratic values, a commitment to the rule of law,

and a conviction that open, rules-based economic relationships can deliver lasting prosperity. But the world is changing.

Geopolitical tensions, uncertainty in global trade, and growing concerns about economic and national security are testing long-standing assumptions.

Et dans ce contexte, une coop coopération plus étroite entre le Canada et l'Europe devient plus importante que jamais. Our economies complement one another.

Canada offers abundant energy, critical minerals, and resources, along with substantial strength in emerging technologies.

The European Union brings advanced manufacturing, technological expertise, and a market of 450 million people.

These strengths create opportunities to diversify trade, attract investment, and build more resilient supply chains.

The challenge now is to turn those strengths into results, more investment, greater trade,

deeper cooperation on innovation and security, and a more ambitious economic partnership.

And that's why this week's summit is so important.

L'occasion d'aller au-delà de nos fondements partagés et de fixer des priorités concrètes.

Poulazane Avenue and Montreal is a fitting place for these discussions in Vilchia de Profonier Abele rap and where the CD How Institute itself began more than 65 years ago.

It is also a hub of reflection and engagement on international affairs and a natural place for hosting heads of state and governments tell Kilire Palacon.

Des relations internationales de Montréal, qui est représenté ici aujourd'hui.

Il me fait maintenant plaisir de vous présenter notre invité d'honneur.

Ursula von der Leyen trained as a physician before entering politics.

Her career began at the local and regional levels in Germany.

From 2005 to 2019, she served in the German federal government,

leading the ministries responsible for family and youth, labor and defense.

In 2019, she became the first woman to serve as President of the European Commission.

Under her leadership, the Commission has navigated some of Europe's most consequential recent challenges,

the global pandemic, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and the resulting energy crisis.

In July 2024, she was re-elected for a second term.

Son mandat vise à bâtir une Europe plus compétitive et plus indépendante,

à défendre la démocratie et à renforcer la défense et la sécurité européennes.

Canada shares many of these priorities, particularly when it comes to economic competitiveness, trade, and security.

Madame la présidente, merci encore d'être avec nous à Montréal, à un moment aussi important.

We look forward to hearing your vision for the future of the Canada-European Union relationship.

So ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the President of the European Commission, Madame Ursula von der Leyen.