The Citadelle, Friday, October 3, 2014

Good morning, and thank you everyone for being here. Sharon and I are delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle for this presentation of honours and awards.

Service to community and to Canada can take many forms, and today’s ceremony is proof of that. Those of you being honoured today have made contributions in a wide variety of fields, but you have in common a dedication to helping others and to making this country a better place.

Many of you are being recognized for acts of bravery, moments in which you acted selflessly, instantly, sometimes putting your own safety at risk.

Others among you are being honoured for dedication and service over a longer period of time. Your acts of giving take the form of dedication to learning, to caring for others, even to firefighting and public safety.

Each of you is most deserving of the honour you are about to receive. And I am privileged to participate in this ceremony on behalf of all Canadians.

It is so important that we recognize and celebrate service to community and to Canada. Doing so helps us to remember all the good there is in this world, and in people.

For example, I just returned from Côte-Nord where I visited Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles and Fermont where I had the privilege of honouring caring citizens such as you are.

The bravery medal gives us a stark reminder of the basic goodness that is in all of us. Many of you risked your own well-being for that of another person, and I ask you: what could be more selfless?

The same sense of giving pervades the rest of you. Whether you have dedicated yourself to learning, to volunteering and caring for others, or to fighting fires and keeping the peace, each of you shares a desire to help.

Together, you are helping to build a smarter, more caring Canada.

That is the kind of country I would like my grandchildren to inherit. A country of brave, compassionate, intelligent and dedicated people, doing their best for others and trying to realize their fullest potential.

Each of you is being recognized by your country today as a way of saying “thank you” for your service.

You are also being held up as an example for all Canadians to admire and emulate.

This attention may make you feel a little uncomfortable, but I ask that you embrace the experience and share your stories of giving with others. This can encourage those who are likewise helping out or are thinking about getting involved in their community.

The country of which we dream will be built one step at a time, and your stories can help inspire others to greater heights.

Congratulations on receiving these awards and honours, and thank you for all that you do.