Ottawa, Saturday, July 2, 2011
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What a pleasure it is to join you today for this presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards in our nation’s capital.
Our timing could not be better, given the recent arrival of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada. The enthusiasm felt by Canadians for Their Royal Highnesses is heartfelt and forthright, not least because they represent an important part of our future–that of the Crown in Canada.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognize your achievements in the midst of the Royal Tour, because each of you similarly inspires us with hope and optimism for the future. And in fact, you are already making a positive impact on our country. That is why you are here today.
Prior to my installation as governor general last year, I had spent the bulk of my life in a university setting, as a student, teacher and administrator. I entered university at age 18 and found the place so delightful and enticing that, until age 69, I never left. One reason is my great respect for young people, who are the heart and soul of any university or college. And indeed, that is true of all of our communities, in Canada and around the world.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award is a wonderful tribute to the dreams and achievements of youth. And, by encouraging excellence, these awards also make a vital contribution to our future well-being.
As you know, we live in a rapidly evolving world, marked by globalization, shifting demographics and unprecedented rates of change. In this new era, we must aspire to excellence, because in a globalized world, the strength of our ideas and the pace of our innovation will determine our quality of life.
The youth of this country represent a vital source of ideas and renewal for our society. We are all counting on the ingenuity, compassion and energy of young people to find solutions for the future. Seeing you here today and hearing of your accomplishments, I know that our faith in you is well-founded.
As governor general, I have been inviting Canadians to imagine our country in 2017, when we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. I want to encourage you to think of ways to build a smarter, more caring nation as we approach this wonderful milestone.
Congratulations to you all on this marvelous achievement, and thank you for your hard work. Your contributions are essential to the nation to which we aspire.
Thank you.
