Regina, Saskatchewan, Sunday, September 11, 2011

Good evening. Sharon and I would like to thank you for the very warm welcome to Saskatchewan. We are delighted to be here on our first official visit to the province. Already, we are enamoured with the people and the land.

I recall a photo that was shown to me during my recent visit to Saskatchewan that illustrates your dedication perfectly.

The photo depicted an emerging situation at a school. Students and teachers were streaming out of the building, but one figure was going against the tide, heading with purpose towards the danger. This man was a police officer.

The Right Honourable John Diefenbaker, who was proudly raised in Saskatchewan, was once quoted as saying that “He who does not know the past can never understand the present, and he certainly can do nothing for the future.”

You surely understand the past because the future of this province is nothing but bright as we head towards 2017 and the 150th anniversary of Confederation. And I hope, as I travel this province, to hear what the people of Saskatchewan believe will ensure that we become a smarter, more caring nation. How can we here in this room improve our communities, the province and the country?

As governor general, I have laid out three pillars that I believe can improve our country, and I was thrilled to find out how you are supporting these pillars.

For example, I recently discovered that the province has significantly lowered the number of children in overcrowded foster homes. This drop, from 48% to 29% in just two years, was accomplished through improvements in monitoring, an increase in staffing, and financial support for alternative housing.

This is a phenomenal achievement, but more still needs to be done for the remaining children to ensure that they are given opportunities for a stable life. Supporting families and children, my first pillar, is vital to the future of Saskatchewan, as it is to Canada.

In Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, I understand that stargazers can now look forward to a new observatory, as well as spaces to teach students about the night sky. This commitment to learning and innovation, my second pillar, ensures that Canadians are well placed to make amazing contributions that will impact health care, business, manufacturing, farming, mining and so many other sectors vital to the country’s future.

Finally, looking to my third pillar—volunteerism and philanthropy—it gives me great pleasure to be able to highlight the wonderful participation rate of Saskatchewan citizens in the voluntary sector. Nearly three out of every five people in the province contribute their time to helping others in need, the highest proportion of any province or territory. How can we keep up this remarkable pace and even surpass this number?  

As Sharon and I explore the province, I hope that all Canadians will follow along and learn about Saskatchewan, its history and its future, one which will help propel Canada beyond our 150th anniversary.

Thank you.