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As we look forward to celebrating our 150th birthday seven short years from now, what will our nation look like and how will we get there?
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We are a Smart and Caring Nation.
A nation where all Canadians can grow their talents to the maximum.
A nation where all Canadians can succeed and contribute.
But there is much work to be done to fully achieve our vision of a Smart and Caring Nation. I believe it is essential
To support families and children,
To reinforce learning and innovation, and
To encourage philanthropy and volunteerism.
As many of you know, I have spent much of my career in the university world. As an educator and administrator, I have been privileged to spend much of my life around students, and I've often felt that I have learned from them. In my new role, I hope to work to serve as a bridge to the next generation.
My first pillar will be supporting families and children.
I would like to first tell you a bit about my own family.
I was Sharon's first date when she was 13, in her first year at Sault Ste. Marie Collegiate Institute. Forty-six years of marriage later she is my best friend, my inspiration, and the wind beneath my wings.
We have five daughters, Deb, Ali, Sharon Jr., Jen and Sam, and all of them are in public service. And we have seven grandchildren, our miracles, who bring us great happiness.
All the important things in life I have learned from my children. And now I am following them into the public service.
Let me add that we lived in Montréal for two decades. We have come to love the French culture and language and we consider them a national treasure.
We are looking forward to meeting Canadian families from all walks of life, all backgrounds and hearing their stories about what Canada means to them and how they see Canada in 2017 and beyond.
We are looking forward to meeting families with sons and daughters who have served in Afghanistan. And we join in the sorrow of those families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country. Our veterans have paid heed to the call to service, and have made our country proud. And my wife and I intend to be with them every step of the way.
We are looking forward to meeting Aboriginal families and children and learning from them. We all have much to learn from First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures. We are excited about being able to share in this vital part of our collective history.
And we are looking forward to meeting families who have chosen Canada as their home, determined to provide a brighter future for their children.
We know that Canada will be one of the most diverse countries in the world by 2017.
And I am firmly convinced that all of these families, no matter where they live or what their background is, will have more in common than not. Each family brings new patterns to the varied Canadian tapestry and enriches it by their presence.
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-reprinted from PostMedia News