Toronto, Saturday, June 2, 2007

I believe that the true strength of a country lies in its citizens’ willingness to help one another.

Those of you we are honouring today are further proof of that.

When you alleviate distress, lend a helping hand, or help improve someone’s life you deepen our sense of humanity.

Your actions remind us that we can all have a positive impact and improve the world around us.

Your actions help forge bonds of fellowship in our neighbourhoods, our communities, our cities, across our country and around the world.

You make us want to do better and challenge us to look after the needs of others.

These days, we may too often see solitudes multiplying, hatred overcoming reason, and the defeatist, “everyone for himself” attitude triumphing, but you remind us that there are other ways of living together as a society.

As governor general, I have the privilege of travelling across this great country of ours and meeting people who are deeply committed to their communities; I have seen them in action, and I believe that they, like you, are the greatest hope for the future.

The fifteen people receiving the Caring Canadian Award today are living examples of these strengths and they embody that hope.

It gives me great pleasure to honour them.

To Koyes Ahmed of Toronto, who works diligently to make it easier for newcomers to integrate into the community and to help those most in need, thank you.

To Ronald Albert Asselstine of Guelph, who brings hope and support to children experiencing a terminal or life-threatening disease, thank you.

To Susann Louise Franklin of Peterborough, who has dedicated over 33 years to the Scout movement and who has been a one-woman support system for the sick in her community, thank you.

To Marie Elizabeth Greig of Whitby, who, despite her young age, shows remarkable citizen involvement and is actively involved in her community and the world, thank you.

To Marjorie I. Hodges of Oshawa, who shares her passion for reading with all the children in her community, thank you.

To Ray Kipfer of Waterloo, whose dedication to the youth in his region is remarkable, thank you.

To Charles Leggatt of Toronto, who is very concerned about maritime safety around the world, thank you.

To Jeannette Lejeune and Susan Thorburn of Washago and Orillia, who have changed the lives of over 460 children by supporting a summer camp, thank you.

To Elisabeth Linton of Toronto, who works tirelessly to help find a cure for Sanfilippo Syndrome, thank you.

To Donald Frank MacVicar of Stoney Creek, who works relentlessly to improve the lives of inner-city youth, thank you.

To Gerald David McMillan of Orillia, who is extremely dedicated to people in need, thank you.

To William Russell Medland of Haliburton, who created a constructive learning environment for young people, many of whom were at risk, thank you.

To Lavina Jean Poole of Newton Robinson, who has dedicated much of her life to community service, thank you.

To Thomas William Reynolds of Scarborough, who enhances the quality of life of his fellow veterans and inspires hope all around him, thank you.

To Janet Stevens of Waterloo, who helps children with special needs and is a dedicated member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, thank you.

You are shining examples of commitment for all of us and for future generations, who are following in your footsteps and also looking for ways to express their willingness to share.

Thank you to each and every one of you. As I like to say, you show us so eloquently that our hearts should be as big and boundless as Canada itself!