Edmonton, Thursday, May 4, 2006

My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden, and I are very pleased to be here in Edmonton on my first official visit to your beautiful and dynamic “wild rose province”. Since arriving last night, I have been treated to trademark Alberta friendliness.

This morning I met with members of the Canadian Forces and their families. I am honoured to be able to express, on behalf of all Canadians, the debt of gratitude we owe them.

Their dedication to protecting and promoting the values so many of us take for granted requires them to sacrifice unprecedented time away from loved ones; to put themselves in harm’s way; and to take risks that too often pass unappreciated, removed as most of us are from the international conflicts that trouble our extended family of nations.

Their perspective on the world serves to remind us how truly blessed we are as Canadians, and how much we take peace for granted. Although some differences separate us within this country, since its inception, we have built a remarkable society in part on recognizing the humanity we share.

Indeed, the importance of never taking our democratic institutions for granted was reinforced for me this afternoon, when I had the rare privilege of addressing your legislative assembly. It is an honour for me to have been the first governor general ever invited to do so. Mr. Premier, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for that, and to congratulate you for your years of public service and your contribution to the economic prosperity of Alberta. But the wealth of your province if also reflected in its people.

Tomorrow, I have the privilege of recognizing four distinguished Albertans whose generosity of spirit and service to others has earned them Caring Canadian Awards. Ordinary, yet extraordinary people who, without any expectation of reward, spread compassion, offer solace, and toil behind the scenes to make our society better and more just.

As part of the event, Mayor Stephen Mandel, Edmonton City Councillors and I will have the opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of this, the “Festival Capital of Canada”.

We will be treated to performances by Aboriginal hoop dancers, youth choristers, a brass ensemble, your poet laureate, and a Franco-Albertan group.

It is easy to understand why as many as three million people come to Edmonton every year. Your nurturing support of culture and the arts—from music and theatre festivals to innovative architecture and French language activities—has contributed to the great vibrancy of your city.

I am also looking forward to my visit to Calgary and the surrounding area, where tomorrow afternoon I will be meeting students in the hamlet of Millarville. They tell me Millarville is just off the Cowboy Trail, which perhaps explains why we’ll be making at least part of the journey by stagecoach!

And I am delighted that my first visit to Alberta has coincided with the finale of Youth Week in Calgary. There I will be meeting with young people from the area to talk about issues of importance to them.

I know the people of Alberta have a great deal to teach me, and I look forward to sharing your views and your initiatives with Canadians across the country.

Allow me, now, to ask you to rise, to offer a toast to the vision and leadership of your province. May your continued prosperity benefit all your citizens—now and in the future! To Alberta!