Montréal, Monday, February 13, 2006

No award can repay what you do. Lighting a spark of joy in the eyes of a sick child; giving wings to a young person with a disability; comforting a teen in crisis; distributing food baskets; lending a hand to the immigrant family who has just moved into the apartment above yours; visiting a senior and listening to her stories.

These are all everyday actions that have the power to change the direction of a life.

Perhaps you have to have needed someone’s help yourself to appreciate the full significance of these actions, which appear so simple? I would not be able to stand before you today had I not crossed paths with people who helped us—my mother, my sister and myself—to put down roots in our adopted country. In return, my mother and I became volunteers. And today, afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, my mother benefits from the support of many people, including several volunteers, to whom I am deeply grateful.

A hand that someone holds out to us is a hand held out to a fellow human being. This is how compassion spreads from one heart to another, building a network of solidarity that transcends all differences. This is how hope can cut a path through all the suffering and sorrow of the world.

Women, men, young and old have the boldness to dream big dreams and the determination to act for the good of all. Against violence, against indifference, against exclusion. On behalf of respect for others, on behalf of dialogue and equal opportunity. Together, their actions give strength to all.

With us are seven of these extraordinary people who work behind the scenes to make our society better, more just and more humane. For me, it is an honour and a privilege to pay tribute to you today.

To Fay Bland, of Montréal, who is committed to building the self-dependence of developmentally challenged children and youth, and of persons with disabilities, I say thank you.

To Nicole Desmarais, of Saint-Pie-de-Guire, who is making her community a welcoming and stimulating environment for young people, I say thank you.

To Giuseppina Paola Di Paolo, of Montréal, who is motivating youth and those in charge at Lester B. Pearson High School to carry on the battle waged by Terry Fox against cancer, I say thank you.

To Jacques Fournaise, of Sainte-Catherine, who has made more than one cause his own and who is an example of dedication in his workplace and his community, I say thank you.

To Marion and William Grandin, of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, who have expanded the advancement opportunities for a large number of cognitively challenged children and young adults, I say thank you.

To Anthony and Lucy Shorgan, who are mainstays of one of the continent’s best-known camps for children with disabilities—Camp Papillon—I say thank you.

To Arhondoula Vassiliadou-Augoustis, of the Park Extension district in Montréal, who has helped girls from poor families of Greek descent make use of their talents and continue their high school studies, I say thank you.

You are the glimmer of hope that saves so many people from sinking into solitude and helplessness. Each in your own way, you have touched lives. Without expecting anything in return, you have given a part of yourselves to others and have been enriched by a new experience. You are models of sharing and openness, and you inspire those around you and the coming generation to follow in your footsteps.

On behalf of the people of Canada, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for caring about your fellow citizens, your communities, your society, and for contributing to the betterment of us all.