Rideau Hall, Monday, May 26, 2008

Excellency, Mrs. Yushchenko, my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I wish you a very warm welcome to Canada and are delighted to have you here, at Rideau Hall.

We hope that during your stay, you will feel a bit at home.

Not simply because of the strong ties between our two countries.

Nor because of the large Ukrainian population in Canada, which has helped to shape and continues to shape our country in every sphere of activity. 

But also because of the hope for a better world that Ukraine’s Orange Revolution kindled in all of us.

Canadians everywhere enthusiastically applauded the energy, courage and, yes, the joy with which the Ukrainian people rose up after years of oppression, brutality and despotism, to sing out as one the great song of freedom.

You captured our imaginations as we watched the Ukrainian people achieve independence in 1991.

Of course, we know that this was just the beginning of a long road to democracy.

But the progress that the Ukrainian people have made since then sends an important and vital message of hope to the entire world.

So many of my fellow Canadians want to congratulate you and extend to you our wishes for a prosperous future.

And we are delighted that your visit has given us this unique opportunity to celebrate together the bonds of friendship and solidarity that unite our peoples.

We sincerely hope that your stay here in Canada will show you just how strong those bonds are and how deep the affection Canadians have for you.

Our entire country is overjoyed to see Ukraine freely assert its role as a responsible nation on the world stage.

Long live our friendship!

Long live our shared desire for freedom everywhere!