Yellowknife, Thursday, December 8, 2011

Let me begin by saying what a privilege it is to address you, the members of Joint Task Force North, here at your Yellowknife headquarters.

I have been looking forward to this visit, to hearing from you and to learning more about the important work you do in the North. I am also eager to express my appreciation for your service to Canadians, of which I now have first-hand knowledge.  

As you may know, last August my wife, Sharon, and I travelled to Nunavut, for what was a wonderful experience in all respects but one. We were in the community of Resolute Bay on August 20, the day of the terrible plane crash in which 12 people tragically died.

Sharon and I will never forget the scenes of sadness and devastation we witnessed that day. And neither will we forget the response by members of Joint Task Force North, who happened to be conducting training exercises nearby at the time.

Your professionalism, quick response and compassion were a great comfort to all who were affected by this disaster, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank you in person.

The North is a vast and important part of our country, and your presence greatly contributes to the safety and security of northern Canadians. You are living as northerners and working closely with the people of the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut to build a bright future.

You and your families and loved ones also make important contributions to community life in the North. In fact, as we speak, Sharon is visiting the Military Family Resource Centre to learn more about life in a northern posting, and to share our respect for the unique service of the military family.

As governor general and commander-in-chief of Canada, I often talk with Canadian Forces members about their responsibility as role models, both here in Canada and abroad. I tell them that their standards of conduct must be beyond reproach, because they embody the depth of our commitment to the common good. I know of no Force anywhere that lives and breathes professionalism—duty, honour, service—as ours. 

And that is because each one of you lives out that commitment each day.

That you do so in this unique environment of the North, with the creativity, resilience and tenacity that you demonstrate only magnifies and illustrates the quality of your service.

With this in mind, I would now like to recognize outstanding service by presenting a number of you with the Commander-in-Chief Commendation.

Thank you.