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Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 7, 2007
My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are thrilled to welcome you to Rideau Hall to mark the beginning of this next step in your career.
You will soon be called to represent our country abroad, where you will embody our values and, you might even say, our personality, wherever you are posted.
You highlight our demographic, linguistic, regional, geographic, and cultural diversity.
You will be the important, and sometimes first, association people all over the world make with our country.
That is how vital your work on the ground is.
The perception that the rest of the world has of our country will often depend on your presence.
Everywhere I have been, from State visits to official visits, people have told me that Canada inspires them and that it is a model in many regards.
I have also been told me how easy it is to have a relationship with Canada because of our spirit of openness and reciprocity.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, our Canadian diplomats, for the work that you do. I often get see you in action.
You must cultivate this dynamic image of Canada that corresponds to the values of justice, equality, and freedom that we represent in the international community. You must cultivate diplomacy on a human scale.
We all consider our Canadian citizenship to be precious.
It is synonymous with openness and prosperity.
But it also comes with responsibilities.
The responsibility, in particular, to always weigh the interests of some against the needs of others.
The responsibility to consider the interests of the entire population, in every one of our actions, without alienating the rights of minorities.
The responsibility to protect this generous land, whose Aboriginal peoples are still sharing their wisdom with us.
The responsibility to never remain indifferent to suffering in the world.
That is the Canada that we love and the Canada you will be representing abroad.
I hope the 21st century will see people all over the world finding common values.
I hope it will be a century of dialogue, one in which we address the issues facing all of humanity.
The borders that separate us are not as strong as the values we share.
Never forget that.
On that hopeful note, my husband and I would like to congratulate you as you get ready to embark on this journey.
We wish you every happiness and success.