Charlottetown, Tuesday, November 9, 2010

It is an honour for me to be part of your round table discussion. I have been looking forward to this opportunity, not only for the chance to talk to all of you, but also to be in Prince Edward Island—the cradle of Confederation.

The Fathers of Confederation created a federal system in which distinct groups of people—of different languages, religions and cultures—could prosper beside one another within a common enterprise.

In some respects, that is what your clubs and organizations do. They reflect your unique goals, beliefs and memberships—your different “languages, religions, and cultures” so to speak.  And yet you co-exist side-by-side, often working in cooperation with one another, to contribute to the advancement of all who live within our great country of Canada.

Over the course of the next five years, my goal as governor general is to do my part in helping shape Canada into a truly Smart and Caring Nation. By this, I mean a nation where all Canadians can grow their talents to the maximum. And a nation where we use knowledge to improve the conditions of our fellow citizens, here in Canada and around the globe.

To achieve this goal, I suggest we focus on three pillars:

Supporting families and children;
Reinforcing learning and innovation; and
Encouraging philanthropy and volunteerism.

Today, I’d like to highlight some of my ideas for the third pillar—philanthropy and volunteerism. A nation can only be defined as “Smart and Caring” if it draws from its well of social capital. Put another way, a Smart and Caring nation must have social institutions, such as service clubs and not-for-profit and volunteer organizations, which are dedicated to helping people realize their full potential. 

My wife Sharon and I have spent many years in the Region of Waterloo in South Western Ontario. We’ve enjoyed our time exploring the many country roads, which twist and turn through places like St. Jacobs, Heidelberg, Winterbourne and New Hamburg. Many Mennonite farms dot the countryside along these winding roads.

Sometimes, as you make your way, you might be fortunate enough to witness a barn-raising: an extraordinary example of a community coming together to help someone in need. If you spend time to watch, you’ll see men swinging from the rafters, hammers at the ready. You’ll see men straining together to lift and steady the barn’s massive beams. You’ll see women working together, quilting and preparing food to serve many. And you’ll see children mimicking their parents, anticipating the day when they step in and fulfill their responsibilities within the community.

The image of a barn-raising reminds me of what you do within your communities. You “raise barns” every day. You mobilize your members to move a project forward. You stand shoulder-to-shoulder to achieve a common goal. You develop innovative strategies to tackle new problems posed by a changing world. You raise up new leaders to continue your valuable work in the days to come.

Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” It is through your gifts—your time, your talents and your resources—that you are shaping the very life blood of our country. You are showing all Canadians what a Smart and Caring nation is all about. You are reflecting the motto of the Order of Canada—“they desire a better country”—in all you do. 

And for that, I am thankful. The lives of so many Canadians are touched by your work. I know that first hand, because my life was enriched by a Rotary Foundation Fellowship.

When I graduated with my first degree, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to England to study law because of that Rotary Foundation Fellowship. One of the pleasant duties I had over the course of my studies was to visit Rotary Clubs across England to speak about Canada. I used to end those speeches with a song from Newfoundland and Labrador, the chorus of which went:

“When I first came to this land,
I was not a wealthy man,
But the land was sweet and good,
And I did what I could,
The land was sweet and good.”

As governor general, I commit myself to working with you. I hope to help you inspire even more Canadians to get involved in your important work and worthwhile causes. I will do all I can to continue making our country better. To keep making the land “sweet and good.”

Together, we will continue to shape Canada into a Smart and Caring nation. One that continues to inspire all Canadians, and continues to be the envy of the entire world.

Thank you.