St. John’s, Thursday, July 6, 2006

I would like to begin by thanking our hosts, their Honours the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Roberts, for their very kind hospitality, their thoughtfulness, and most especially the “friendliness” they have demonstrated since Jean-Daniel, Marie-Éden and I first arrived.

Indeed, “friendliness” has been a common theme in my conversations today, at the Confederation Building, at The Rooms and Cape Spear, and of course this evening.

In all my travels, I have seldom met people as down-to-earth, relaxed and approachable as I have met here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Perhaps that attitude comes from the self-confidence of having survived and thrived for so long in such a demanding environment.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s environment has a way of reminding us constantly of its presence. And I’m not only talking about weather…today I heard a saying: “if you don’t like the weather in Newfoundland don’t worry; just wait five minutes and it’ll change!”

At Cape Spear, I was enchanted by the rugged beauty of the sea, and the pounding surf. Even from that safe distance, it is easy to see why we must respect Mother Nature.

The vastness of the Atlantic, with all its potential, its potency and its permanence, reminds us of how small humanity really is.

Along with that realization comes the recognition that we are all “in this together”. I think that’s something Newfoundlanders and Labradorians learned a long time ago.

The people of this province have a well-earned reputation for helping their neighbours, and pooling their resources so that you all move ahead together.

In that respect, I feel very much at home here.

In the next few days, Jean-Daniel and I look forward to talking to various groups about the challenges they face, and the approaches they have adopted to meet those challenges.

We look forward to sitting down with representatives of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Francophone community, who have managed to protect and nurture a French-speaking culture that dates back centuries.

We look forward to meeting with artists and budding filmmakers, and discussing their plans for fostering the development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique culture.

And, of course, we very much look forward to meeting some of the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador, at a Garden Party tomorrow, and one in Corner Brook on Sunday, as well as at the events we will be attending throughout our visit.

But before these meetings, there is tonight’s dinner with you, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to get to know each of you a little better.

And in that spirit, I would invite you to join me in raising our glasses. I’d like to propose a toast… to friends… those we have known for a lifetime, and the new ones we’ve just met. Each and every one of them enriches our lives.

To, you, our new friends in Newfoundland and Labrador.