Rideau Hall, Friday, May 25, 2007

Before I begin, allow me to have a special thought for this Canadian soldier who lost his life earlier today in Afghanistan. I am sure that you all join me in expressing our undying gratitude to this soldier, his family and his loved ones for his unparalleled commitment to the values of justice and freedom that are so dear to the Canadian people.

We got the news early this morning and we are deeply saddened. This Canadian soldier was helping patrol a village near Kandahar on foot, in conjunction with Afghan soldiers. He was killed by an explosive device that had been buried in the ground.

Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and friends, and all his colleagues who are still over there. As you can imagine, they are in shock and mourning.

Another of our soldiers was injured in the incident, but is thankfully out of danger.

I am very pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this special ceremony.

We have come together today to honour 53 members of Canada’s police services as they prepare to join the ranks of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.

Approved by Her Majesty the Queen in 2000, this Order is intended to honour a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the members of the Canadian Police Services.

As many of you know, Canada is one of the few countries to possess a separate order recognizing its police services. I think that tells us a great deal about the high regard Canadians have for the men and women who serve on police forces across this country.

That esteem is certainly merited, considering the myriad ways you and your colleagues contribute to the safety and well-being of all Canadians.

Police officers are often the first to respond in the event of a vehicle collision. They provide security at large public events. Detailed police investigations lead to the arrest of dangerous individuals.

Our police forces are active partners in the community, visiting schools and teaching children about road safety and other issues.

Patrolling officers may be called upon to help someone who’s unconscious, or in distress. They fight organized crime, and intervene to help victims of domestic violence.

Canada’s police services help ensure border security. Police officers can also serve as mediators, defusing a tense situation that could easily result in violence if they were not there to help.

You and your colleagues succeed in doing all this in a society that is increasingly complex.

In addition to your traditional duties, you are called on to deal with new challenges, like cyber crime, elder abuse, threats to our national security, and more frequent and more intense natural disasters.

Despite this ever more challenging reality, the members of our many police services always rise to the challenge, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and effectiveness.

Indeed, Canada’s police forces continue to be a model for others, helping to train police officers in many other countries.

The work you and your colleagues do abroad underscores one of your most important roles here at home, and that is: defenders of our democratic values.

Independent, reliable, effective and dedicated police forces are essential to the protection of our rights and freedoms. Without them, the “rule of law”, one of the pillars of our system, would have no meaning.

It is thanks to police officers like you that cases of fraud, corruption, abuse of power, and attempts to avoid regulations are brought to justice. At the same time, your reassuring presence and your diligence ensures that others, who might otherwise be tempted to stray, continue to abide by our laws.

The honour bestowed on you today is a sign of how much we appreciate your role in making our communities safe and ensuring that all citizens are able to enjoy the same advantages.

Each of you has distinguished himself or herself in the line of duty. When we consider the high calibre of all your colleagues, officers who share an unequalled commitment to protecting and serving their communities, this distinction is especially significant.

On behalf of your fellow citizens, I would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks for all that you do.