Rideau Hall, Friday, June 8, 2012

I warmly welcome you to this reception for outgoing heads of mission, one of our annual rites of spring here at Rideau Hall.

Each of you is about to embark on an exciting new phase in your life and career in diplomacy. It is difficult to overstate the importance of the work you do in our complex, interconnected world, and I want to thank you for your service to Canada.

On numerous visits abroad as governor general, I experienced first-hand the sense of responsibility and honour that accompanies foreign service—most recently during my visits to Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, and, earlier this week, to the United Kingdom.

So much of the credit for the success of our international visits goes to the staff of Canadian missions abroad, and to your colleagues working at Foreign Affairs headquarters here in Ottawa.

I am constantly impressed by the knowledge, dedication and professionalism of our foreign service, and by the impact you are able to have on the world stage. 

Being experienced diplomats, you know that relations between nations and peoples often require a fine balance. Your job is to reach out and establish ties with other nations and peoples, while representing the interests and values of Canadians. 

Of course, your foreign counterparts do the same, each from their unique national perspectives. Together, you search for common ground.

In this balance of difference and common cause lies the beauty of diplomacy—as well as the challenge. Part of the challenge is to make the tension a harmony of interests.

As governor general, I often speak of our need to minimize our differences and find collaborative ground, to work together, as Canadians and as citizens of the world. At the same time, I also emphasize the value of diversity, and the great strength we derive from our differences.

That which is true within Canada also applies on the world stage.

In 1937, my predecessor Lord Tweedsmuir—also known as John Buchan—undertook the first full State visit by a governor general of Canada. He went to Washington and addressed the U.S. Senate, where he spoke about the important role of both similarities and differences in strengthening international relations. 

I quote:

“The strength of an alliance between two nations lies in the fact that they should be complementary to each other and each give to the other something new.”

Buchan said he was inclined to “rejoice” upon finding a real difference between Canada and the United States. From this position of curiosity and mutual respect, he said, we form the basis for thinking and working together.

As heads of mission, you set the tone for Canada’s official relationship with the world. As representatives of a smart and caring nation, look outward with confidence, curiosity and respect, while sharing all that is good and unique about Canada. 

I wish you the very best. Bon voyage and au revoir!