Rideau Hall, Tuesday, September 16, 2014

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada.

To receive a Public Service Award of Excellence is a great honour. Each of you, along with your families and loved ones, should be very proud.

You are part of something truly special.

Allow me to briefly elaborate on the importance of Canada’s public service, and on its overall contribution to the public good.

A strong, merit-based, non-partisan and representative public service is essential to this country’s success—and indeed to the success of any democratic society.

That is why the first steps toward the creation of a professional, apolitical civil service came so soon after responsible government was achieved in Canada in the late 1840s. The leaders of the day understood that the democracy they wanted to build would require a professional organization that could provide impartial expertise and deliver public services across this vast country.

I witnessed a similar nation-building project about a year ago during my State visit to Mongolia. What is happening in that country is fascinating. Mongolia is undergoing an extraordinary evolution toward a modern, democratic state, and improved public service management and governance are among its top priorities.

And guess what? Mongolia has partnered with Canada for advice and assistance in building its public service.

I ask you: what could be a greater compliment to the quality of Canada’s public service?

Of course, this is not to say that ours is the best of all possible bureaucracies! We face significant challenges and can always do better; indeed, we must continue to innovate and evolve in order to meet the complex demands of our rapidly changing world. 

That being said, today’s award recipients—from many federal departments and agencies—are a reminder of the truly outstanding work being done by public servants across Canada.

Your achievements come in a wide range of fields and have had a significant impact on this country. You have made real contributions to the well-being of the people you serve.

You have also inspired your colleagues and brought credit to your respective organizations. In this time of considerable change and uncertainty, your examples are inspiring.

It is essential that we recognize excellence in the public service and highlight its successes for all to see.

On that note, I would like to take a moment to highlight the career contribution of a public servant who is not receiving an award today, but who nevertheless deserves our respect and appreciation.

His name is Wayne Wouters.

You will know that Wayne, the clerk of the Privy Council, is retiring soon. This, in fact, is his last official ceremony as clerk, and I would like to include him in today’s celebration of excellence.

Heading up an organization as large, complex and important as the Public Service of Canada is no easy task, but Mr. Wouters has risen to the challenge. His leadership and dedication have been truly outstanding, and I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” on behalf of all Canadians.

Now, let us focus on the exemplary public servants who are receiving awards of excellence today, and express our appreciation on behalf of all Canadians.

Thank you for your dedication and for your service to Canada. And congratulations on this most deserved honour.