Rideau Hall, Friday, October 19, 2007

I am delighted to once again be among Scouts of all ages and from all backgrounds. Welcome to Rideau Hall.

I was truly honoured to be named Chief Scout by Scouts Canada. And do you know why?

Because when I was a girl, I was a Scout just like you.

The Scouts taught me things that might seem simple, but were in fact essential.

I learned that nature is generous, that it enriches our lives, and that it must be respected. It holds many discoveries that our lives depend on.

I also learned that a community’s true strength lies in its members’ willingness to help one another.

That every challenge before us must be met with great enthusiasm, that every problem has a solution and that there are always reasons to hope, if we dare. I learned to always be prepared.

And that nothing is impossible to those who dare to dream big.

The other day, a television journalist wondered whether the Scouts were still relevant today.

I wanted to tell him that I think they are more relevant than ever.

We see it on a daily basis: so many young people, as well as adults, are driven towards selfishness, solitude and even despair because of indifference towards others and an everyone-for-themselves mentality.

The 100^th anniversary of Scouting, which we are celebrating today, reminds us how important it is to return to values that are more collective, therefore more citizen-based, and to make you, the youth of Canada and the world, our priority.

I have met remarkable young people from one end of our vast country to the other, from Vancouver to St. John's and all the way to the territories of the Far North and the Arctic, as well as during my travels abroad to Haiti, Algeria, Mali, South Africa, Morocco, and Brazil.

And they all told me that social engagement is a responsibility. I know that you, our young people, want to make a difference, and that through your actions and ideas, you want to be a part of the solution for a better world.

Every action counts. Every initiative matters.

The Scouts have always been a place for you to speak out, exceed expectations, work with others, take action, and feel included.

The Scouts are a place to discover new things and learn how we can better live together.

It is an organization that helps you to grow to your full potential and become committed and responsible citizens, as well as strong, confident and determined adults who are open to one another and the world.

You light a fire in the hearts of all those you work with, help and comfort.

The promise you made when you became Scouts is a promise for the future. And that promise is more important every day than you realize.

You are true sources of inspiration.

Thank you for being there, honouring your commitment, always being ready to serve and lend a helping hand, making the world a more humane place to live.

Long live the Scouts! I wish you, the youth of our country, the greatest success!