Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I would like to begin by saying how honoured I am to be here at the opening of The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic.

What you will do here at this new clinic will benefit so many Canadians and their families.

Health care in this country is one of our greatest strengths, as well as one of our tougher challenges. We are constantly evaluating and reevaluating our needs, and striving to identify new and better ways to deliver health care to Canadians.

The Toronto General Hospital is critical to the health and well-being of the people of this community, and indeed to that of many other Canadians. And, as you know, this would not be possible without the hard work and caring of doctors, nurses and support staff, or the generosity of many dedicated volunteers and philanthropists who understand how important giving is to our society.

All of you here are leaders in one sense or another—in health care, in philanthropy—and as such, you are making a tangible difference in peoples’ lives. You know that by sharing with others, we help to bridge the gaps that undermine hope and health in our communities. And you know how much each of us stands to gain through the wonderful reciprocity of giving.

Today, we have an opportunity to express our appreciation to the W. Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Weston family and members of the foundation have been generous with their time, talent and resources for so many years. They have helped countless Canadians already and will continue to do so with this clinic.

I would like to thank all of you who have made this clinic possible. We are here because of your remarkable generosity, and for that, I am truly grateful.

As a lifelong believer in the importance of giving, I know that volunteerism and philanthropy are vital components of the smarter, more caring society of which we dream. To repeat the theme of the Dalglish Clinic, “we seek a society of keener minds and kinder hearts”.

So, as we celebrate the opening of this clinic and as we honour our generous donors, I would like to leave you with something to ponder: how can we strengthen the culture of volunteerism and philanthropy in Canada? How can we ensure that clinics like this one are both available to Canadians across the country and sustainable in the long term?

I urge you to share your experiences and the challenges that arose in opening this clinic. Because by sharing our stories, we can inspire volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to become involved. We can continue to offer quality health care in our communities. We can focus on healthy living and well-being in new and exciting ways. We can create a stronger nation.

Thank you once again for your generosity and leadership.