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Every year, on Remembrance Day, we pause to honour the sacrifice, the courage and the extraordinary service of our veterans. We pause to say thank you, for what they have done for our country and for what they still do.

It’s been 75 years since the end of the Second World War. Our veterans won many battles at great sacrifice. Over 43 000 Canadians died. Many more came home wounded and carrying psychological scars from years of conflict, something that wasn’t talked about much at the time.

I’m happy that I made it through what I went through, because I left many behind, especially at Caen. We lost so many friends and think of them often.

 We remained friends for life. We were family. I attended every one of their funerals, from New Brunswick to Vancouver. We got to know their families, and they got to know ours.

I discovered then that we are all the same. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world. We laugh over the same things. We cry over the same things.

It is something that you get used to, your friends dying and your acquaintances getting killed in some way very horribly.

I was only 17 when I enlisted. I passed for 19. At 17, you don’t think about the danger. You don’t think about much.

We had 20 tonnes of explosives in the plane. Our plane was hit, then went up in flames. That’s where I lost my leg. I always did my best in the moment, making decisions. It’s all you can do.

I was acting platoon commander. So I was just a kid myself, really. All of a sudden, I look around, and there’s all these little kids, that had been hidden for years because if the Germans had found them, they would have punished them. But to look around and all these smiling kids, it was one of the best days of the war for me.

We’re called the Caring Canadians. I think that’s a wonderful legacy to have. I have found it to be so true.

Sometimes I was so frightened I could hardly see, sometimes. I don’t know what courage is, really. It’s being scared. Being scared, and yet doing your job, even when you’re afraid.

We didn’t think about being heroes. It was a bit of an adventure.

We’re fortunate to be Canadians. And I don’t think that we realize it. We take it for granted.

Best country in the world. It’s worth doing everything we can to protect it.

So over the years, we have told our story, and I think Canada does very well in commemorating the World War II. And I never miss a Remembrance Day service, and I always march.

We remember them.

Today and always. 

Greetings to all of you, people of Canada, from coast to coast to coast.

In respect for the past, the present and the future, and in the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge our presence on the ancestral territories of the First Nations, the Métis and the Inuit peoples. 

The holiday season is a time to get together.

But this year, everything is different. 

No one could imagine what 2020 would bring.

We cannot choose when hardship comes, but we can choose how we respond to it.

Canadians have risen to this challenge in remarkable ways.

Even when times are hard, one can always find something positive.

It is important to look for it.

On the very front line are the health and essential workers, the leaders and the members of the Canadian Forces who have kept our society going.

We owe them a debt of gratitude.

To recognize this resilience, and to turn the page firmly toward 2021, I have asked the Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners across the country to share their thoughts and their hopes for the year to come.  

(Manitoba - Her Honour the Honourable Janice Filmon) 

In 2020, I'm grateful for the world having learned that it could care again, it could love.

It took a worldwide pandemic for this to become alive again.

(Ontario - Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell)

In 2020, I saw the best of humanity, with courage, compassion and creativity,

Ontarians cared for each other.

(Quebec - His Honour the Honourable Michel Doyon)

I wish to recognize all those who have devoted themselves to us all throughout the year.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

(Yukon - The Honourable Angélique Bernard)

I would like to thank Yukoners for their resiliency and creativity in 2020, and I am wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021.

(Prince Edward Island - Her Honour the Honourable Antoinette Perry)

I am truly grateful for gestures of goodwill, kindness and generosity shown during the past challenging year.

(Saskatchewan - His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty)

In the coming year, I'm looking forward to a time where we can once again visit communities to meet the remarkable people of our province.

(New Brunswick - Her Honour the Honourable Brenda Murphy)

In 2021, I look forward to greeting people with warmth and humanity, and to see what our society can do with the lessons we've learned during the pandemic.

(Nunavut - Arviat Citizen Joe Karetak)

Start to see some normalcy and speedy recovery from this pandemic.

(Alberta - Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani)

A vaccine and the opportunity to be able to travel and meet fellow Albertans.

(Newfoundland and Labrador - Her Honour the Honourable Judy Foote)

The kindness we have shown each other throughout the pandemic continues in the future.

(Nova Scotia - Their Honours the Honourable Arthur LeBlanc and Mrs. Rosemary Patricia LeBlanc)

I am confident that Canadians will remain united and steadfast, in their resolve to be kind and generous to those less fortunate.

(British Columbia - Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin)

We have a chance to make our world better for all of us.

And with some new perspectives and renewed societal values of compassion, generosity, mutual trust and responsibility, we surely will.

To describe 2020:

Courage.

Challenging.

Creativity.

Resiliency.

And gratitude.

The long months of pandemic have forced us to look beyond ourselves, to work hand in hand.

But we are not yet out of the woods, and now more than ever, we must stay vigilant, continue to look out for each other, and remain patient.

Thanks to science and the arrival of vaccines, there is now a light shining at the end of the tunnel.

Soon we will meet again.

Take care of yourself and of your family. 

Have a thought for those who are isolated, lend a virtual hand when and where you can. 

And keep a light on, at home and in your heart, as we wait for better days to return.

Happy New Year, Canada.

Dear fellow citizens,

The past months have been dark and difficult, and we all know that it is not yet over. I appeal to your sense of duty today. Now is the time to show our strength as a nation, to remain steadfast and to stay united in our solidarity. 

Safe and efficient vaccines are now available, and there is a light shining at the end of the tunnel. But the pandemic is still raging right now and it will take time to immunize everyone. 

The priority goes to health care personnel, to the essential workers who keep our society going, to the elderly and most at-risk populations, and to people living in remote areas, particularly Indigenous communities. We must remain patient while the vaccines are distributed in an orderly fashion. 

In the meantime, it is of the utmost importance that we all stay vigilant and adhere strictly to the advice of our public health officials.

We owe this to the front-line workers who have been fighting this virus selflessly for 10 long months. We owe it to our seniors, and to the families of those who have passed. We owe it to our loved ones, and to the loved ones of our friends and colleagues. 

Like you, I have had to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances. As a scientist, I take epidemic outbreaks very seriously, and that is why we closed Rideau Hall at the outset of the pandemic to ensure the safety of our staff and the health of our visitors. 

Like you, I have strictly minimized contacts other than through digital means. In fact, besides the duties that require my presence—such as granting Royal Assent to bills in Ottawa or paying tribute to fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Halifax and Trenton — my movements have been, and will continue to be, restricted to essential work and to my responsibilities as the mother of a teenager, and as the daughter

and caregiver of elderly parents.

We all need to contribute and to try to make the best out of the situation, even if the public health restrictions are hard. This is not the time to let our guard down. Every single one of us has a role to play in fighting the virus.

And we Canadians have shown that we have this collective resilience. Please, for the good of all, stay home except for necessities and essential work, and minimize your travels and contacts.

We are in this together and we will meet again. Stay put. Stay distanced. Please take care.

Happy New Year!

 

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Margaret Bell, Medal of Bravery.” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Margaret Bell is walking down a paved road. There is snow on the ground around her.]

[Margaret Bell:] I understand that my life was at risk.

But, I think, if I had to do it again I would.

[Screen Description: Margaret Bell is standing outside near a reservoir of water. She is speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Margaret Bell, Calgary, Alberta, Recipient of the Medal for Bravery”.]

On August 1st, 2017, as I usually do every morning, I come for a walk before work.

As I came into the park and coming down the pathway, I could see in the middle of the reservoir that there was a rowboat.

And as I got closer to this area, I saw that there was actually somebody in the water.

I'm thinking, "Holy cow! I got to see what's going on here, I need to start running."

And as I got closer, I did see that someone was struggling in the water.

They were yelling something, but they were too far away, I couldn't hear.

So, I took my shoes off and I got into the water, and I started swimming towards him.

He was in a panic, screaming and yelling, "Help me! Help me!"

And I said, "I'm coming, I'm coming. It's okay, I'm going to help you."

I pulled him towards me and I said, "Now you need to get onto your back and I'm going to pull you to shore."

[Screen Description: Captain Murray Ost is standing outside and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Captain Murray Ost, Calgary Fire Department.” There is a fire truck behind him.]

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Ms. Bell and Captain Ost.]

[Captain Murray Ost:] To put yourself in that situation, to enter a still body of water by yourself, she truly exhibited bravery, above and beyond.

[Margaret Bell:] He was so fatigued and so cold. And I could see him at that moment, shaking profusely, very hypothermic. His lips were blue.

And somehow, I lifted him out of the water onto the shore.

I don't know how I did, but I did it.

[Captain Murray Ost:] The temperature of our water, our still water in Calgary, is extremely cold, it's extremely debilitating.

It does not take that long for people to lose their bearings within the water.

Had Margaret not risked herself, entered the water and pulled this individual from the water, I do not think this individual would have survived.

[Margaret Bell:] I feel pride and happiness that I was able to help this young man. And to prolong his journey in life.

He's a 25-year-old man; he has his life in front of him.

For me, receiving the Medal of Bravery is a huge honour.

To the person that recommended me for this award, even though I don't know who it is, I thank you for recognizing my efforts.

And, to be recognized for that is... is... truly humbling.

I... I... I'm speechless.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Decorations for Bravery recognize the courage of everyday heroes who ignored their own survival instinct and risked their lives to try to save a loved one or perfect stranger whose life was in immediate danger. gg.ca/honours.” There is a Medal of Bravery, a Star of Courage, and a Cross of Valour above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

[Screen Description: The screen reads, “Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada” in English and French. The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Screen Description: Governor General Simon is speaking into a microphone in a room at Rideau Hall.]

[Governor General Mary Simon:] Her Majesty cared about people, about our well-being.

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Governor General Simon and a series of images of The Queen during various visits to Canada.]

[Governor General Mary Simon:] She learned our stories as she visited every corner of Canada during her many Royal Tours. She called Canada her "second home". On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family. To the entire Royal Family and to the Commonwealth in mourning, our thoughts are with you.

[Screen Description: A black-and-white image of The Queen on a black background. To the left of the image, text reads, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, In memoriam, 1926-2022.”]

[Screen Description: Text on a dark blue background reads, “Photos courtesy of: Department of Canadian Heritage 6813628453; Department of Canadian Heritage 813628599; The Associated Press P1973; Sgt Joanne Stoeckl, Rideau Hall – GG02-1011-007; Sgt Joanne Stoeckl, Rideau Hall – GG02-1034-31; John Howe / Library and Archives Canada – PA-168607; Malak Karsh / Library and Archives Canada – c007749-v8; Cpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall – GG2010-0355-001.]

[Screen Description: The viceregal lion on a dark blue background. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Robb Nash, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).” There is a viceregal lion above the text. "Governor General Mary Simon" is written to the right of the viceregal lion.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Robb Nash is sitting in a theatre, speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Robb Nash, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).”]

[Robb Nash:] My favourite moments of every show, is when I get to see the audience, tears falling down their faces.

And at the beginning I didn’t like it.

I thought I was watching the tears of somebody that was breaking down.

Now I realize that those are tears of somebody breaking through.

When I was 17 years old, I was in a massive car accident where I woke up from a coma, I didn’t know who I was, my parents, and had to rebuild my head with titanium.

I went through a very bitter time.

Two years of my life where I didn’t want to be alive and I made it through that dark time but I wondered how many other young people like me having those same dark thoughts, suicidal thoughts. 

They’re not talking about it, so I decided I wanted to tell my story to as many people as I could.

So I knew that music would be a good way to share that story.

I was offered a chance to do a tour through youth prisons, reserves up North, and schools, listening to stories and sharing my story with young people.

And I ripped up my record deal to do that tour and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

You know guys, I realized something.

You guys can go up to any adult that you know and ask them:

 “What do you do?”

Everyone knows what they do.

Ask them: “Why do you do it?”

And very few people have a good answer to that, and that’s a sad thing.

I started writing songs together with people that we were meeting... Songs about addiction, songs about suicide.

We’ve seen some people have some massive breakthroughs.

In fact, we’ve actually had 883 students have actually handed us their suicide notes after these shows.

And then we started seeing pictures and videos of them tattooing our lyrics on their arms where they used to hurt themselves.

And so I took all the signatures off the suicide notes that we were given and I tattooed them on my arms.

And I did this because I know what it feels like to feel like you're all alone with those thoughts.

These are all people that had those thoughts once too, but they are still here.

People seem to only talk about mental illness when there’s a suicide.

People seem to only talk about addiction when there’s an overdose.

And what we try to do in our shows is tell the stories of the people that are still here, the ones that made it, to make examples out of those people.

Show that there are survivors, there are people that are victorious…

[Screen Description: Jonny Holliday is sitting in front of a drum set on a stage, speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Jonny Holliday, The Robb Nash Project, Musician/Artistic Director.” Short video clips of him performing play as he speaks.]

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Robb Nash, Jonny Holliday and a series of scenes featuring The Robb Nash Project performing at concerts; schoolchildren entering concert halls; and Robb Nash talking to audiences from a stage.]

[Jonny Holliday:] I think Robb represents a whole new face of mental health.

Putting a cool, edgy look on it, making kids realize that it’s okay to talk about some of their struggles.

[Robb Nash:] People look at me, and they think “Why would we trust this guy with our youth?

He doesn’t seem like somebody that’s qualified to speak about things like mental illness”.

But by receiving awards like this, it helps us grow and helps us reach more people.

That’s why I was so honoured to receive it.

It was great having songs on the radio and playing big crowds, but this is, this isn’t just success, now, this is significance.

This actually feels fulfilling - that your music can be a part of somebody’s life.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) recognize remarkable individuals who bring honour to our country through their exceptional deeds in many different fields. gg.ca/honours.” There is a Meritorious Service Medal and Cross above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

Screen Description: [Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Phil Nuytten, Order of Canada (Officer).” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Phil Nuytten is sitting behind a desk in an office, speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Phil Nuytten, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Officer of the Order of Canada.”]

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Phil Nuytten and a series of scenes featuring diving suits in a warehouse and Phil Nuytten testing new diving suits.]

[Phil Nuytten:] When the water closes over your head and something that you’ve built keeps you alive, I never got over that.

Every time I build something that works, I feel the same rush.

My name is Phil Nuytten.

I am in the business of building submarines and diving suits that allow divers to go to depths that you cannot go with scuba diving or any conventional type of diving.

I started I was 12 years old, diving and spearfishing, and I always wanted to go deeper.

So, when I was 13, I built my first scuba set and I never looked back.

This is suit number 1, you see, the very first suit that I designed and constructed in 1985.

The suit itself is nothing particularly unusual or new, but the important thing is the rotary joints.

These joints rotate.

Today, every suit of this type all use the same system that I developed those many, many years ago.

The idea of being a big ocean explorer was not so much on my mind as it was to go deeper and to see what’s there.

And then years later, as the oceans started to become polluted, we wound up doing a tremendous amount of work with Greenpeace, so they could learn about the parts of the oceans they were trying to protect.

One of our major breakthroughs had to do with submarine rescue.

We built this machine, and it was so successful that the U.S. Navy now has this as their standard submarine rescue system.

The idea that we could design and build something that is used by one of the largest navies in the world to save lives, I’m very proud of that.

Even the most complex systems start out as sketches like this.

Submarine escape systems, submarine rescue systems, suits that have been used by navies all over the world, designed and built right here, in Canada, more specifically in British Columbia, and more specifically in this office.

I’m delighted that the equipment that we build and the crews that we’ve trained, that all of that culminates in this award.

Anybody who wants to start inventing things, start with your ideas, sketch them out if you can, even if the drawing is one that no one understands except you.

That’s all that’s important, is that you have these now, forever.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Order of Canada honours exceptional Canadians for their extraordinary and sustained achievements and their service to others and to Canada, gg.ca/honours.” The insignia of the Companion, Officer and Member of the Order of Canada are above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

What a beautiful time of year.

December is a time to look back at the year’s challenges and accomplishments. A time to remind ourselves of what connects us as a nation.

And what a year 2023 has been.

We have stood in solidarity, facing the rising consequences of climate change. We have grappled with the effects of global conflict and the pressures of living in modern times. Yet, we have also witnessed important strides in reconciliation, celebrated new chapters in history and took steps towards making the internet a safer place for women and girls.

I have had the privilege of meeting with Canadians. To visit communities. To honor the people who are turning challenges into opportunities.

People are adapting to change with creativity, resilience and, above all, kindness.

Their stories are poignant examples of the Canadian spirit, and show us that we can each embody the Inuktitut word ajuinnata – never giving up.

Let us commit ourselves to action, and to kindness, no matter how daunting the situation may be.

We all have the power to contribute to the well-being of our country.

In this way, kindness—far from being an accidental act—emerges as a powerful and purposeful choice in the face of adversity. 

As we look to 2024, let us rekindle our connections to one another, and face challenges, change and progress with a renewed sense of unity.

Happy New Year, Canada.

Dear Canadians, 



[Governor General Simon, in French]: Dear Canadians,



[Inuktitut greeting] 

As we embark on a new year, I think back on the significant moments Canadians experienced in 2024 and I invite you to take a moment to pause and reflect.

[Governor General Simon, in French]: As we embark on a new year, I think back on the significant moments Canadians experienced in 2024.

Winter is a time to slow down and heal for many Indigenous communities. In the retrospective atmosphere of the season, I invite you to ponder an important question: As Canadians, what does hope mean to you?

[Governor General Simon, in French]: As Canadians, what does hope mean to you?

[Stéphanie Harvey, in French]: For me, hope is one of the most important things we can have as human beings, as a society and as a community. It allows us to believe that we can have a better world and that we will get there. 

[Eunice Kekumba, in French]: In my opinion, what represents hope for our country is solidarity and resilience.

[Olga Dowling]: For my kids, I hope they never see another world war. I went through one, my parents went through two. That’s a big hope for my kids and I hope that they live a very quiet life, I hope that they continue to do good, and always helping people. That’s what I try to do.

[Governor General Simon]: Hope is looking forward to a better future for the next generation. But hope is now, too. It is about what we do right here, right now. It is about a feeling of connection inside us that keeps us going. 

[Governor General Simon, in French]: Hope is looking forward to a better future for the next generation. 

[Adélaïde Bekono, in French]: Hope for me, as a Canadian since 2011, means a better living environment. 

[Natasha Murray]: I find hope is defiant. You hear so much that people say that, like, you have to pick the lesser of two evils, or, you know, if you do this, if you take this action, it's a waste. But, I can't bring myself to believe that, because if we don't believe that there is something better, then we can't make it better. 



[Governor General Simon]: Over the past year, I have met so many of you. You have filled me with hope. I have heard courageous Survivors of the residential school system share insights about their healing journeys. I am encouraged to see Survivors, Elders and so many people supporting each other as we work to recognize Canada’s true national history. 

[Governor General Simon, in French]: I remain steadfast in my commitment to walking the path of reconciliation with all Canadians. It is a lifelong journey. 

I am also hearing more about remarkable mental health initiatives taking place across Canada. There are also people in Canada who are doing groundbreaking work to make social media platforms safer. Through all my conversations this year, I have witnessed Canadians working to build bridges between cultures and to bring people together. So many Canadians are making great contributions to our country. In different ways, in all fields, they work to build a more inclusive, more connected and more understanding world. 

[Governor General Simon, in French]: So many Canadians are making great contributions to our country. In different ways, in all fields.

As we begin this new year, I would like to convey to you the sense of hope and resilience I felt alongside our Paralympic athletes in Paris in August. Every day, they pushed themselves to be their best. We must do the same. Let us continue building a nation where hope flourishes, and where everyone has a voice.

[Governor General Simon, in French]: Let us continue building a nation where hope flourishes, and where everyone has a voice. 

It is hard work, but it is work worth doing, and it can only be done together. 

[Kevin Raphael, in French]: There's the expression where there's life, there's hope, but for me hope is when we help each other, when we're there for each other in good times and bad. When I see the other person and they're there for me and I'm there for them, I say to myself, that's hope, so that's how it works. Hey, if you need help, call me, I'm here for you, I'm here for you.

[Devin Heroux]: So every day I get to talk to athletes, specifically through the lens of the Paralympians. To me, hope takes form through their journey, there was something in their life that changed the course of their story, but they were able to reimagine it and I think it serves as a reminder to all of us that hope can take form in being ableto reimagine the story of your life.

Dear Canadians,

[Inuktitut greeting]

This past year, I witnessed extraordinary solidarity unfold across our country:

in the unity of communities affected by wildfires,

in your unprecedented economic co‑operation,

and in the revitalization of Indigenous cultures and languages.

In 2025, I saw Canada as a nation that is courageous, inclusive, and committed to building peace.

And through it all, a resounding sense of national pride—like when the entire country rallied behind our Toronto Blue Jays.

The new year promises more wonderful opportunities to strengthen the bonds that unite us.

I want to thank Canadians across the country for their many kind messages and well wishes while I was in the hospital in the fall.

And I wish each and every one of you joy, health, peace and a happy new year!

[in Inuktitut]

Fellow Inuit,

I witnessed extraordinary solidarity unfold across Canada.

Unity of all Canadians.

Cooperation in our regions.

Importance of Inuit languages.

For example – Toronto Blue Jays.

In the new year, strengthen our bonds that unite us.

Thanks everyon who sent well wishes while I was in the hospital in the fall. 

I wish each and everyone Joy! Health! And Happy New Year!