Visit to Fogo Island and the Shorefast Foundation

Fogo Island, Saturday June 25, 2011

Thank you for that kind introduction.

My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to be with you today. From the moment we arrived, we have been struck by the beauty of this part of Canada. We are excited about seeing more of Fogo Island, and learning more about your efforts to revitalize your communities.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved learning about how people have overcome extraordinary challenges. How they stared hardships in the face to succeed. How they persevered, searching for a way forward when many others would have simply given up.

Their stories … struggles … and successes are inspiring.

The same is true for you, and your fellow residents of Fogo Island. The more I have read about what you have done, the more I have been encouraged. Excited. And motivated to share your stories with all Canadians, to demonstrate what people can do when they work together to make a better life for not only themselves, but for their children, their community and their country as well.

As governor general, I am committed to doing all I can to shape Canada into a smarter, more caring nation. A nation that helps families and children succeed. A nation that strengthens learning opportunities and fosters innovation. A nation that values community involvement, volunteerism and philanthropy. A nation that dares to dream about a better future for all Canadians today, and the next generation tomorrow.

Your efforts highlight all of these themes. Let me take a few moments to illustrate to you what I mean.

I am a proud father of five, and an even prouder grandfather of eight. I understand the pressures that parents face as they try to do what is best for their kids. The stresses parents endure as they seek to provide a better future.

There is an old expression that says "it takes a village to raise a child". A community to offer what children need to really thrive. A group of people like you who rally around their children to give them a chance to succeed.

The community must believe in its children. They must contribute to who they will become tomorrow.

I say this to affirm the chances your work is giving to all of the Island’s children. To encourage you to continue pouring into their lives. And to assure you that your efforts will not be in vain.

Winston Churchill once said, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

Your efforts to revitalize your communities certainly demonstrate your optimistic, entrepreneurial spirit. Indeed, it is obvious that what your communities may have lacked for in financial resources over the years, you have surely made up for with creativity, ingenuity and innovation. It is obvious that you looked beyond the difficulties to capitalize on the many opportunities that lay ahead.

Think about how the Shorefast Foundation and the Fogo Island Arts Corporation are unleashing the Island’s creative and economic potential through geotourism and contemporary art.

How the Marine Information Center is drawing tourists to the Island to see how its people have built their livelihoods around the sea.

And how the Fogo Island Cooperative is providing stability and security to Island residents with successful fish processing operations that have expanded to include shrimp and crab.

These community-based organizations remind me of the ways that a lighthouse beckons and protects ships on a dark, stormy sea. Their achievements, their "lights" so to speak, call to people from across Canada and around the world to experience the Island’s heritage, beauty and creativity for themselves. And they protect and promote the Island’s socio-economic growth that is already underway.

I have used the word "community" many times in the last few minutes. And this is what I want to focus on next—the ways in which you have served in your communities, uniting them to secure the Island’s well-being for the years to come.

Before coming to Rideau Hall, Sharon and I made our home in Waterloo County, right in the heart of southwestern Ontario. We lived on a beautiful farm there, where we keep horses.

One of the things that makes Waterloo County unique is its Mennonite communities. Mennonites are easily recognized by their horses and buggies. Their communities are well-respected for their beliefs, traditional ways of life, and the strong ties that bind their people together.

I love to tell the story about one of our Mennonite neighbours, Edgar, and barn raising, to illustrate just how much the bonds that unite a community can sustain it through thick and thin.

One day, Edgar was over at our house, while Sharon was going over the farm’s budget. At one point, she asked Edgar, "How much would it cost to replace the barn?" Edgar replied, "Why do you need to know?" To this, Sharon explained that she was trying to reduce the farm’s operating costs, and so was going over the insurance portfolio. For this she needed to put a price on the barn in the event that it burned down. Edgar replied that there was no need to put a price on the barn, because if it burns down, the neighbours and community members would volunteer their time and recycled lumber to come together to replace it, free of charge. He then hesitated for a moment, before adding, "Put $2,000 down because we’ll need new shingles." 

I am sure many of you can relate to Edgar’s story. Just like Waterloo Country’s Mennonite communities, Fogo Island has flourished because of its traditions. Its culture. Its heritage. Its environment. And its people, who can count on each other to help in times of need.

In closing, I commend you for what you are doing to build Fogo Island into a stronger, more sustainable community. And I congratulate you for how you are shaping Canada into a smarter, more caring country.

You are demonstrating that small communities can thrive when people come together. When they set lofty goals and dream big dreams. When they roll up their sleeves to tackle old problems with new solutions.

In the words of George Bernard Shaw, a famous British author: "Some people see things as they are and wonder why. We dream of things that ought to be and ask why not."

Thank you for welcoming Sharon and me here today, and for inspiring us by your stories and your example. We are looking forward to our day together, meeting and learning from each and every one of you.