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Rideau Hall, Friday, June 9, 2006
My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall as you prepare to embark on a new phase in your career. You will soon be called to represent our country abroad and, as such, you will take with you our values and culture, bringing the Canadian spirit with you wherever you go.
This is no small feat. But it is an exciting one. I know how enthusiastic you are. Canada is a country of infinite possibilities, as I have often said since my appointment as governor general. Today’s Canada is also rich in diversity that is the envy of many other countries, be it demographic, regional, geographic, or cultural. This is what you need to highlight, as Canada’s representatives.
As many of you already know, you may find that you are the first Canadian that people in other countries have ever met. You can see how important your work will be. Other peoples in the world often have a certain perception of our country. Some even think we are boring! It will be up to you to change that image of Canada abroad and align it with our own realities. That means ensuring that the image is fair, dynamic and reflects the values of justice and freedom that we represent in the concert of nations.
For each and every one of us, our Canadian citizenship is a precious thing. It is synonymous with openness and prosperity. But it also brings responsibilities. That of weighing the interests of some against the needs of others. That of thinking, in everything we do, of the greater good, without alienating the rights of minorities. That of protecting these generous lands, the secrets of which Canada’s Aboriginal peoples continue to teach us. That of never remaining indifferent in the face of tragedy in this world.
That is the Canada I love and that you will embody wherever you are posted.
The 21st century must be a time in which we identify those values shared by all civilizations. It must be a time of dialogue and address the issues that concern us all, regardless of where we call home. And, as I am often fond of saying, Canada can be a leader in this regard because it contains the world.
Our future prospects extend far beyond our borders and embrace all of humanity. We are no longer talking about the interests of individual countries; today’s reality is one of globalization.
The time has come, I am pleased to say, to rethink the world in terms of the values we all share, rather than the borders that separate us. This is how I see the world mapped out before us.
I believe that this new world map will reflect the image of Canada and arise out of a bridging of cultural differences that is the inevitable result of openness to others. Let us never forget this.
And so it is with these words of hope that my husband and I congratulate you as you get ready to travel the world to represent our country abroad. More than anything, we hope that you will share our message of openness with the peoples of this world. May our best wishes for happiness and success go with you.