Toronto, Monday, February 20, 2006

It is such a pleasure to be here in Toronto, on my first official visit to Ontario, and I want to thank you very much for your warm welcome. My husband regrets that he was not able to join me as he is shooting a film at the moment in Québec City.

I look around this room today and see the face of the New Canada. Indeed, I think of Ontario as a living embodiment of the Canadian nation.

Here in this great province, we find many of our country’s biggest, most dynamic cities, and we also find some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes.

Ontario is the centre of Canada’s powerful manufacturing base. But it is also home to the greatest number of farms in the country.

It has important mining and forestry sectors, but it is also a leading player in the knowledge economy.

And what of the people? There are First Nations communities that can trace their roots back at least 8,000 years. Ontario’s Francophone population is over 500,000 strong and has been here for more than 350 years. It is actually the largest Francophone community outside of Quebec. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest greetings to all Franco‑Ontarians.

And of course, there is the wonderful diversity of Ontario’s ethnocultural communities.

For over a century, people have been coming here from every part of the world to make a better life for themselves and their families. As they have pursued their dreams, they have enriched this province, and our country.

Now, all of these diverse peoples live together in harmony: yes, playing in the same parks, shopping in the same stores, studying in the same schools.

Here in Toronto, the Canadian model is showcased for the world to see. It is an achievement that has eluded many societies, and one that we Canadians sometimes take for granted.

That is unfortunate. Through our actions, through our attitudes, all of us help foster respect, dialogue, and cooperation. We all have a share in the achievement, and we all need to celebrate our success.

At the same time, we need to build on that success to ensure that all citizens can take their rightful place in our society. I say that we must build on success because there remains much work to be done.

The recent instances of gun violence in this city remind us all that there continue to be shortcomings in our society, shortcomings that we must all address.

While our society must fight crime, it must also get at the roots of crime. Too many Canadians, here in Toronto, in Northern Ontario, and across the country, are relegated to the margins and left to fend for themselves.

As I stated in my installation address, nothing in today’s society is more disgraceful than the marginalization of some young people who are driven to isolation and despair. We must not tolerate such disparities. I firmly believe that our youth is not only our future, but our present. We have a duty to encourage and support them in their efforts to join us in creating a better world.

Fortunately, in Canada, we have the financial resources to address these problems. More importantly, we have the community spirit, the sense of solidarity that brings people together and inspires them to find solutions.

It is very important that we do so, because the entire world looks to Canada as a model of how diverse communities can live together, and prosper together. It is our most important collective responsibility in the new global environment where there is still too much misunderstanding and violence.

As you know, I have put a great deal of emphasis on breaking down solitudes. Of course I mean all solitudes, whether it is a question of age, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, poverty, or any other.

By breaking down the solitudes that still separate us, we can demonstrate that it is possible for many cultures to live together, in one united community.

That is a dream that I cherish, and one I am fervently pursuing. I know that, with your support and the help of other Canadians, we can make that dream come true.

During this first official visit to Ontario, and to Toronto, I look forward to talking with you and your fellow citizens about this and many other issues.

Indeed, as I have said in the past, I want this first official tour of Canada to be the first chapter in an ongoing dialogue, a dialogue among equal citizens. I know that you and the people you represent have important matters to discuss, inspiring stories to share, and valuable lessons to teach me.

And so I thank Toronto, and indeed all Ontarians, for your very warm welcome. I look forward to getting to know this city and this province better, during this first, of what I hope will be many visits.

Thank you.