Halifax, Thursday, May 31, 2012

One of the great privileges of this office is having the opportunity to recognize Canadians for their compassion and generosity through the Caring Canadian Award.

This award occupies a special place among our national honours system. Awards symbolize the attributes and achievements we value most as a society, and I can think of none more worthy of celebration than caring.

The four recipients being honoured with the Caring Canadian Award today are living, breathing examples of everything that is right and good about this country. Your communities already know this, and it is my hope that this recognition serves to inspire and encourage you—and all Canadians.

Above all, I want to thank you for your selflessness, your generosity and your compassion. Your daily acts of kindness and consideration have made a real difference in peoples’ lives.

And ultimately, that’s what this is about: helping people.

You understand that the building of a smarter, more caring nation can only result from countless individual actions in which we offer our sympathy and concern for others.

Gradually, these individual acts of kindness add up to more caring neighbourhoods and kinder communities and, eventually—a better country.

As the late June Callwood said: “Great consideration for one another—that’s what’s going to save the world.”

Thank you for showing such great consideration for others. You truly are caring Canadians.