St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Friday, May 22, 2015

I’m so pleased to be here with you in this spectacular setting overlooking St. John’s Harbour.

This truly is a special city with a history that predates Canada as we know it, and it’s a wonderful place in which to open this conference. 

Many of you have travelled a considerable distance to be here, so let me start by thanking you for your participation and for dedicating the next two weeks of your lives to this gathering!

Let me also to take a moment to make a special mention of your diversity as a group.

Together, you represent every part of this country and a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

I want you to know: you’re part of something very meaningful here.

I travel quite a lot in my role—across Canada and further abroad—and I often meet with people who have participated in this conference.

Very often, they are leaders who are doing remarkable things for their organizations and communities, and for Canada.

One of the things former participants often tell me is what a rare opportunity this is to learn about this country and to grow as individuals and as leaders.

Our lives are so busy and fast-paced, and Canada is such a vast and diverse country. It’s a special thing to meet like this and to spend fifteen days exchanging views and ideas and meeting Canadians from all walks of life.

You’re going to learn a lot, about Canada, about each other, about yourselves.

You’re also going to learn about leadership and innovation, the twin themes of this conference.

Both are matters of significant importance to our shared future.

Over the course of the next few days, you’ll hear from some of the brightest minds in innovation, before fanning out across the country.

I encourage you to listen and to look closely at the communities you visit to see where innovation is happening, where it isn’t happening, how it’s being applied and where we can do better.

Because one thing is certain: Canada must innovate and become more dynamic and creative.

We’re very fortunate in this country in so many ways, but we cannot be complacent.

And there are too many instances in which individuals and communities are struggling.

We need fresh thinking, new ideas and bold, thoughtful leadership.

Your generation of young leaders has come of age at a critical moment for Canada and for our world.

It is an exciting, challenging time in history.

Enjoy the moment, and seize it.

Make a difference.

This is your time.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing you again in two weeks and to hearing your insights and findings.

I’m always learning in this role, and I am counting on you to share your best thinking on innovation, on leadership, and on Canada. 

I wish you a productive, enlightening conference.

See you in Ottawa!