Justin Trudeau's Liberal government will lay out its priorities for the upcoming term in Parliament&nbsp;in Wednesday's throne speech, followed by a rare address to the nation Wednesday evening from the prime minister.

The addresses&nbsp;by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette and the prime minister&nbsp;come as the country contends with the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 9,000 Canadians, sickened tens of thousands more and crippled&nbsp;the economy.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister's Office has indicated&nbsp;that Trudeau&nbsp;will address Canadians directly on the fight against&nbsp;COVID-19 as confirmed cases continue to climb in Canada.

Trudeau is also expected to&nbsp;summarize the government's plans&nbsp;laid out in the throne&nbsp;speech earlier in the day.&nbsp;

As caseloads spike in four provinces, Trudeau warns that pandemic will be worse this fall

In a rare televised national address, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the airwaves to warn that Canada is at a "crossroads" as COVID-19 cases spike in some provinces with the fall expected to be worse than what the country faced at the onset of this pandemic in the spring.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads back to his seat before the delivery of the Speech from the Throne at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.

Throne Speech 20200923

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads back to his seat before the delivery of the speech from the throne at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.

Liberals promise to extend emergency COVID-19 supports, build national child-care program in throne speech

The Liberal government is promising to extend emergency support for Canadians hit by the COVID-19 crisis while building a more resilient economy that empowers women, fights climate change and addresses systemic racism.

Gov.Gen. Julie Payette, middle, looks on with Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Usher of the Black Rod Greg Peters leaves to summon the House of Commons to come listen to the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. 

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, middle, looks on with Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Usher of the Black Rod Greg Peters leaves to summon the House of Commons to come listen to the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. 

Highlights of today's speech from the throne

The Liberal government laid out its plan to guide the country through the rest of the COVID-19 pandemic in its throne speech today.

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette delivers the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. 

ottawa throne speech payette 

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette delivers the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa. 

Two of Trudeau's rival party leaders,&nbsp;Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and Bloc Québécois&nbsp;Leader&nbsp;Yves-François Blanchet, have tested positive for the virus and have been forced to delay their responses to the throne speech until their self-isolation periods have ended.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Governor General Julie Payette delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Wattie

How to watch the speech from the throne and the prime minister's address to the nation

More Stories Like This