Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, November 19, 2014
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I am delighted to be here with you to honour some of the best and brightest in Canadian discovery. We are here to celebrate the accomplishments of all of the laureates with us today, including Dr. Graeme Wynn, recipient of the 2012 Massey Medal. I would also like to pay tribute to Dr. Derald Smith, recipient of the 2014 Massey Medal, who sadly passed away in June.
In addition, we are marking two important anniversaries in the scientific community, namely the 85th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Space Agency.
Let me begin by highlighting a wonderful milestone in the history of Canadian geography that relates to both organizations: the 200th anniversary of the publication of the Map of the North-West Territory of the Province of Canada—also known as the Map of 1814.
This remarkable map, which details millions of square kilometres stretching from Lake Superior to the Pacific, was perhaps the ultimate achievement of David Thompson, one of Canada’s greatest explorers.
In fact, the Salish-Flathead people called him Koo Koo Sint, or “Star Gazer,” because of his habit of navigating by the stars.
Thompson is a fascinating and important figure in Canadian history, and what’s more, his outlook and methods have much in common with today’s leading scientists and researchers.
Foremost, Thompson was insatiably curious and energetic. He also worked closely with others and gathered information from a wide range of sources—for example, from First Peoples, fur traders, and written accounts and records.
He embraced technology, old and new—the canoe, the compass, the sextant. Painstakingly, he made observations, measurements and careful notes on his progress.
Finally, he knew that the land below and the stars above shape our understanding of the world around us.
Much has evolved over the past 200 years, yet the basics of discovery remain constant.
Intense curiosity, a willingness to collaborate and to use the latest and best technologies, and the ability to observe, to think critically and to take calculated risks—these remain the keys to discovery.
Today, we also have new tools at our disposal. To the telescope and microscope—which enabled us to see far and to see small, respectively—we have added the computer and the Internet, which allow us to find, gather, store, relate and experiment—in short, to see broadly and deeply. And we have used these new ways of searching to understand our land that much better, and to see into the outer reaches of the cosmos.
Each of our laureates this evening understands what it takes to explore successfully, to add to our store of knowledge and to innovate.
In years to come, leading Canadian researchers will no doubt build upon your achievements—just as we owe a debt to the “Star Gazers” who preceded us.
On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to offer my congratulations to all those who are being honoured for their work.
Thank you for your efforts and dedication to research and discovery. Yours is an essential contribution to a smarter Canada.
