May 15, 2011

Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of International Day of Families

OTTAWA – One of my long-time goals has been to bring generations together. Indeed, one of my three pillars as governor general is to support families and children. You can see how important they are to my day-to-day life.

I met my wife, Sharon, when we were teenagers. Today, we have five daughters and eight grandchildren, our little treasures, who bring unimaginable joy into our lives. All of the important things in life, I have learned from my children, and I often have the impression that their own children have banded together to take up that particular torch. 

In many ways, the home is a micro-community, where each member has a role to play, yet the uniqueness of each helps to shape and enrich the family dynamic. I believe that the well-being of our families is a key factor to how our society develops. What are our communities, if not a reflection of the individuals who make up the whole?

On this International Day of Families, I invite all Canadians to spend some time with their loved ones. And let us take this opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the ties that bind us.

David Johnston

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Media information:

Christelle Legault
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
christelle.legault@gg.ca
www.gg.ca