Waterloo, Ontario, Tuesday, September 23, 2014

My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to be back in this community we know and love to celebrate some very noteworthy events: the 30th anniversary of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation and the launch of its Smart and Caring Community Grant Program.

I would also like to welcome the members and supporters of the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation who are with us this evening.

When I became governor general, I challenged Canadians to join in building a smarter, more caring nation, and I have been overwhelmed by the positive response of community foundations—including this one, which has done such great work on behalf of the people of this region.

You have taken up the cause with such enthusiasm! You are donors and supporters, community leaders, charitable partners, volunteers and organizers—and you are all making a difference.

The numbers are impressive: in the 30 years of its existence, this community foundation has granted more than $33 million to charities in the region.

Being here in Kitchener-Waterloo—a community whose people are renowned for being both smart and caring—I can’t help but think of the ways in which one act of giving can inspire another.

I often speak in terms of the “virtuous circle” or reciprocity of giving, but there is another image for this phenomenon that I have drawn from this very community: that of barn-raising.

Each of you is intimately familiar with the notion of barn-raising, of neighbour helping neighbour in a time of need, and then lending a hand in turn when called upon.

This is quite literally true, in fact. I understand barn-raising was a highlight of the International Plowing Match in Roseville, and that a gift from that event was used by the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation to start its own Smart and Caring Fund last year.  

That is so wise and inspiring. You know giving is both the right thing, and the bright thing to do.

You know there is no shame in accepting another person’s offer of help.

You envision a society where helping others is a deeply embedded value, to the extent that it is second-nature.

During my visits across Canada and abroad over the past four years, I have shared the concept of barn-raising that I learned while living and working in Kitchener-Waterloo. I have told many stories of the enterprising, generous and kind-hearted people that live in this community.

I tell these stories because I believe it is important for us to celebrate “giving moments” as a means of inspiring others and encouraging people to get involved. That is why we launched the My Giving Moment campaign last fall.

If you haven’t yet had a chance, please visit mygivingmoment.ca, and get inspired by the everyday stories of kindness that are taking place right across this country.

And when you do, please take the opportunity to share your own stories as well!

I am here today for a similar reason: to celebrate the ongoing story of this foundation, and the wonderful potential we have to inspire more giving in Kitchener-Waterloo.

I am also here to celebrate and recognize the compassion of some extraordinary individuals through the presentation of the Caring Canadian Award later on.

When I think of the kind of country I want my grandchildren and all Canadians to live in, I think of a Canada where caring for each other is central to who we are. Where caring and concern for others is built into our lives and institutions in a manner that ensures no individual goes without or is left marginalized.

However, in order to achieve this level of giving, we must be “smart” in our efforts. As the Community Foundations of Canada’s Vital Signs report eloquently puts it, “caring” is what we do, and “smart” is how we do it.

The challenge is significant. We live in a time of rapid, profound change on a global scale, in which individual people and families, communities and entire nations are forced to devise new and creative solutions. The status quo is no longer good enough. As communities and as a country we must innovate, while holding on to the democratic values we cherish.

The Smart and Caring Community Grant Program that you are launching today is an example of just that kind of innovative thinking. Through it you will draw on the resources of the entire community and become more than the sum of your parts.

This new Program has such potential to help others and improve quality of life. You are creating a wonderful and very precious legacy. Take pride in it. Be smart and strategic in your appeals to the community and in your use of resources. Work to expand the circle of giving to all of Kitchener-Waterloo’s citizens.

Make no mistake: what you are involved in here is the best kind of nation-building—that which puts people first. You are building a smarter, more caring city and a better country for all of us.

It is my hope that this Smart and Caring Community Grant Program and this celebration today can be the catalyst for even greater things to come.

The most vibrant communities, like the most successful countries, are those whose public institutions draw on the talents and contributions of all citizens regardless of class, income or any other artificial distinction. Canadians have thrived because our institutions encourage the great mass of citizens to participate in activities that enable them to make the choices they wish and put their talents and skills to best use.

This essential inclusiveness didn’t just happen. It took—and continues to take—clear vision, sharp focus and constant work. It is so important we succeed.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation has had real success in inspiring and supporting people to reach their full potential. I salute you and thank you for that.

And I encourage you to go even further in reaching out to others and building this community.

Thank you again for all that you do. And congratulations on this milestone anniversary.