Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I am pleased to be here today for the launch of this new publication on Canada and the Crown—and to pay tribute to Their Honours, who have so wonderfully represented the Crown in Ontario.

One of the things we in the viceregal family—lieutenant governors, commissioners and the governor general—hope to achieve is to impress upon Canadians the vital importance of our national institutions, including the Crown. Thus, I warmly welcome this timely and relevant collection of essays.

The Crown performs a fundamental role in our constitutional monarchy, safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Canadians. As representatives of the Crown, we are tasked with upholding Canada’s system of responsible government on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. And, through a fascinating history of evolution and pragmatic consensus-building, we have created a system of government and a rule of law and justice which are the envy of the world.

And because the Crown’s representatives are individuals, each with a previous career and a personal story—Canadians are able to connect with our constitutional monarchy on a personal level.

Which brings me to Their Honours—our friends David and Ruth Ann—whose time in this office is drawing to a close. 

David and Ruth Ann have made inimitable and enduring contributions to Ontario, and to Canada, during the past six and a half years.  

It was well understood when Their Honours arrived at Queen’s Park that “accessibility” was to be a major theme of their mandate. However, I do not think that any of us quite realized the extent to which they would redefine and enlarge the meaning of that word and change all of us for the better as a consequence.

In his installation speech, David said:

“Accessibility is that which enables people to achieve their full potential,” and together David and Ruth Ann have worked hard to bring down barriers and to heighten the sense of possibility for all Ontarians.

They have also enlarged and uplifted the concept of accessibility. Let me give an example that goes beyond the more commonly accepted notions of physical accessibility. Through their work on strengthening essential literacy skills, Their Honours have helped us to understand the liberating power of being able to read.

Let me also single out the Aboriginal Forum as a particularly inspiring effort that has brought together First Nations leaders and other Ontarians in an important dialogue, engaging all of us in the discussion to provide equality of opportunity to Aboriginal Canadians.

Let me also cite the great passion and pleasure for Sharon in accompanying Ruth Ann several times to Northern Ontario reserves. The last of these was an overnight visit made for National Aboriginal Day last June.

We will never forget the wonderful Diamond Jubilee Gala hosted by David at Roy Thomson Hall here in Toronto.

I would also like to say how much I have appreciated our discussions over the past few years, both during annual lieutenant governors’ conferences and in more informal settings. David has played a key role in the sharing and knowledge of our responsibilities within the viceregal family, and how we carry them out with a view to constant vigilance and improvement. 

Let me stop there, and simply thank you both for your remarkable service to Ontario and to Canada. Yours is a rare kind of service which leaves its mark and endures timelessly.

And let me end by saying how fitting it is to launch this new book here, at Queen’s Park, where David and Ruth Ann have so ably demonstrated the enduring value of the Canadian Crown.

I wish you the very best.