Rideau Hall, Thursday June 9, 2011

It is a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall.

Since becoming governor general, I have welcomed many foreign ambassadors and high commissioners as they begin their postings in Canada. And now, I have the sincere honour of welcoming you, Canada’s Heads of Mission, as you are about to embark on postings of your own.

You have devoted yourselves to serving our country abroad. To sharing what Canadians believe in and hold dear. To demonstrating our culture, values, and way of life. To promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity around the world—things that Canadians have been truly blessed with over the course of our history.

What do Canadians believe in? What defines our culture and way of life? What sets us apart from every other country in the world?

Former Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker captured the essence of what Canadians value most, when he announced the Canadian Bill of Rights in Parliament on July 1, 1960. He said:

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

As Canadians, we have never been content to hide our beliefs. To shy away from sharing our values with people in need. Throughout our history, men and women like you have answered the call of military service, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic representation. Regardless of how they have served, I know that these men and women have all been committed to projecting Canadian values and beliefs abroad. To promoting prosperity and employment. To protecting Canada’s security within a stable global framework. To showcasing Canadian culture around the world.

My predecessor, Adrienne Clarkson, said it well. “We only need to look at what we are really doing in the world and at home and we’ll know what it is to be Canadian.”

Certainly, serving one’s country offers great rewards and tremendous opportunities. You will no doubt gain wisdom, memories and friendships that will bless you for the rest of your lives.

But service also demands sacrifice and presents formidable challenges. For you and your families, taking up your postings means leaving home. As a husband, father and grandfather, I can appreciate the difficulties you and your families will face as you adjust to new cities, cultures, schools, neighbourhoods and friends. I am heartened that your spouses have participated in your training, as they also will be serving our country and need our support.

I know, too, that you will face sacrifices and challenges in your positions of leadership. As the heads of Canadian missions, you will be responsible for taking decisions on critical, urgent files. For showing discretion and patience in situations where waiting is the best response. For reaching out to others to forge consensus and resolve disputes. For tactfully handling your superiors and subordinates alike. And for balancing your work lives with the daily needs and demands of your own.

Let me close by encouraging you, and reminding you that you are part of a large, distinguished family of Canadian foreign servants.

That you have been trained and approved for your work. That you have what it takes to succeed.

That you are doing what former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson called the most noble purpose for any man’s activity—the promotion of “fraternity between nations.”

That you are doing Canada proud as you share what Canadians hold most dear in every corner of the world.

And so, it is my pleasure to not only to welcome you to Rideau Hall, but to send you off, with the congratulations, thanks and best wishes of all Canadians.