Calgary, Alberta, Monday, September 16, 2013

Thank you for your warm welcome—Sharon and I are delighted to be here.

Now before I get started on the content of this wonderful honours exhibit, I would like to say a few words about those who made it possible.

Their names are Don and Ruth Taylor.

The Taylors care greatly about Canada, and they wanted to share with other Canadians—and with young people in particular—the story of our Canadian Honours System and of those it recognizes.

The result is this new exhibit, which highlights the kind of dedication to others and to excellence that has made Canada the envy of the world in so many ways.

Don and Ruth Taylor are known for their generosity here in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank and applaud them.

This exhibit—which is travelling to communities and schools like this one across Canada—showcases the stories of just a few of the great Canadians who have received our highest honours.

They have been recognized with the Order of Canada, with Decorations for Bravery and with medals and awards for service, for military valour and for caring, to name a few.

Some of the recipients are well known to Canadians, and I have no doubt you will recognize their names and faces.

One of them I know you’ll be familiar with is Terry Fox.

Today, Terry Fox’s legacy lives on. There are over 60 countries that hold a Terry Fox run, and over half a billion dollars has been raised for cancer research around the world.

Here’s a Canadian who has had an impact on the entire globe. Terry Fox is one of many Canadians who have inspired me.

Others recipients of our Canadian honours you may not know, as you have likely not seen their faces on TV, online or in the newspaper.

Rather, they are ordinary Canadians who have done extraordinary things.

This leads me to an important goal of this travelling exhibit: to inspire.

My hope is that, as you learn about our country’s highest honours and the remarkable stories of recipients, you will be inspired and motivated by what you see.

My hope is that you will understand that courage, inspiration, tradition, service and excellence are qualities and values that are important to all Canadians.

My hope is that you will find ways to fulfill your great potential and, in doing so, to make our country a better place.

I ask that you keep this in mind as you tour the exhibit and discover the interactive learning experience within.

This exhibit is about Canadian honours and their deserving recipients, but it is also about you.   

In Canada, everyone has something to give, and that is as equally true for each of you in this room as it is for each recipient.

The panels, displays and artifacts in this exhibit are on a unique cross-country road trip. I hope you will take this opportunity to learn more about honours in Canada, and that you encourage your friends and families to pay a visit as well.

I also invite you to give some thought to nominating someone you know for an honour or award. You may be surprised to learn that many of our most deserving recipients have been nominated by ordinary Canadians.

If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated, nominate them!

I would like to thank those who have made this tour and this stop at Henry Wise Wood Senior High School possible.

I wish you all the very best.

Enjoy the exhibit!