Montréal, Saturday, September 29, 2012
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I am pleased to be here on this very special day to celebrate the heritage of this remarkable building.
One of the wonderful things about this armoury is the degree to which its history is intertwined with that of the Black Watch regiment, and with that of Montréal.
As this new heritage designation emphasizes, it was the people of this city who came together to construct this building—just as it was the people of Montréal and area who initially formed and joined the Royal Highland Regiment.
As governor general and commander-in-chief of Canada, I believe it is vitally important that we know our history in depth, and that we understand the many links between past and present.
Knowledge of the past makes us more likely to appreciate our good fortune today. It also provides us with important insight and lessons that we can use in our efforts to build a smarter, more caring Canada.
This building and the stories it contains bring us face-to-face with the past, helping us to understand how life was lived for previous generations.
What I also find remarkable is the degree of continuity that exists here. Today, the armoury continues to serve as an important hub, hosting events and activities relating to both the Black Watch and the larger community.
And so it has been for more than a century.
The armoury is a living part of our heritage, and this is cause for celebration. I offer my thanks and congratulations to all who have played a role in preserving our history.
Thank you.
