Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I have always believed that the true strength of a country lies in its citizens’ willingness to help one another.

Those of you we are honouring today are further proof of that.

You cannot put a price on what you do.

Lighting a spark of joy in the eyes of a sick or aging person.

Giving wings to a person with a disability.

Rekindling hope in the heart of a child in distress.

Rising with the sun to coach young athletes.

Distributing food hampers.

Raising funds for a charitable organization.

Supporting the victims of natural disasters or accidents.

You do all of these things while asking nothing in return.

When you alleviate distress, lend a helping hand, or help improve someone’s life, you deepen our sense of humanity.

Your actions remind us that we can all have a positive impact and improve the world around us.

Your actions help forge bonds of fellowship in our neighbourhoods, our communities, our cities, across our country and around the world.

You make us want to do better and challenge us to look after the needs of others.

These days, we may too often see solitudes multiplying, the defeatist, “everyone for himself” attitude triumphing, but you remind us that there are other ways of living together as a society.

As governor general, I have the privilege of travelling across this great country of ours and meeting people who are deeply committed to their communities; I have seen them in action, and I believe that they are our greatest hope for the future.

The thirty people receiving the Caring Canadian Award today are living examples of these strengths and embody that hope.

It is a great privilege for me to honour you today.

You are shining examples of commitment for all of us and for future generations, who are following in your footsteps and also looking for ways to express their willingness to share.

Thank you to each and every one of you. As I like to say, you show us so eloquently that our hearts should be as big and boundless as Canada itself!