Val-d’Or, Monday, September 17, 2012

My wife, Sharon, and I are so pleased to be here with all of you. Already, we have been welcomed so warmly to the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. And already, we have seen how much Val-d’Or has to offer. We cannot wait to talk with you here and to hear more about your community.

We feel so at home here. Having grown up in Northern Ontario, we see such striking similarities between this city and our hometown of Sault Ste. Marie.

Here, as in Northern Ontario, I know that you work very hard to ensure that your city thrives and to give your children the very best opportunities to succeed in a changing world.

Building a stronger community in such a beautiful and idyllic setting—this is something that I have seen across this nation. It is a very Canadian way to live!

You should be proud of what you have accomplished here; more importantly, you should be proud of what you have accomplished here together.

In particular, you live and work so closely with Aboriginal communities. I have always maintained that we need to respect the history of our country and to work with our Aboriginal peoples on the path to prosperity.

The educational opportunities targeted to Aboriginal young people in the area alone are staggering. The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Val-d’Or opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Aboriginal people to succeed and to enact change in the community. They are an integral part of this region, where there is both diversity and unity.

There are so many reasons to celebrate Val-d’Or.

Today, we also honour some of those people who have given back to this community through their time and talent.

The recipients of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award are all volunteers and givers. As governor general, I have made volunteerism and philanthropy one of the pillars of my mandate. And so it is always a pleasure to visit a community such as this one, and to recognize those who go above and beyond for the betterment of their neighbours.

In so many ways, Val-d’Or plays a crucial role in the region and the province, and the success of this city is of great importance to Canada’s overall well-being.

All throughout my visit, I have met so many people who define not only community, but also the strength of this country.

Your achievements and hard work deserve to be celebrated. At heart, this great community is a testament to your successes and to those of your predecessors.

Thank you for all that you do to create a smarter, more caring nation for all of us.