April 15, 2012

Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston,
Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of National Volunteer Week 

OTTAWA—National Volunteer Week in Canada is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate our volunteers, to honour their efforts and to reflect on what it means to give.

Canada is a caring country; Canadians give generously of their time and resources to improve the lives of those around them. 

But on the occasion of National Volunteer Week, we are reminded that we cannot be complacent. Many Canadians volunteer, but there are others who do not. The future strength of volunteerism in Canada will rely on the frankness of our dialogue on the challenges that face us. 

And so, let us ask the questions that will fuel our discussions: What are the barriers to volunteering? How can we innovate and adapt to the changing needs of our communities? Can we make volunteering compatible with our busy, demanding lives? Can we restore lost hope to those in need? 

During National Volunteer Week, I will be visiting and speaking with volunteers, exploring these issues, reinforcing how vital giving is in our everyday lives, and discovering what drives us to volunteer and what prevents us from doing so.

It is also with pride that I will present, for the first time during my mandate, the Caring Canadian Awards. The stories of the award recipients—from across the country, and of all ages—are inspirational and show that volunteering can take many forms. I look forward to honouring the many Canadians who work in their communities without the expectation of recognition. 

This week, I would like to challenge you to tell your own story of volunteering, and encourage others to do the same. By doing so, we can inspire others to take up a cause dear to them. Our stories are powerful, and we can do so much by showing others how much we care. And I encourage you to nominate a special volunteer hero or heroine for a Caring Canadian Award. 

We can create a smarter, more caring nation—one step at a time. I wish all Canadians a wonderful National Volunteer Week.

David Johnston 

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National Volunteer Week takes place from April 15 to 21, 2012. 

To view His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston’s video message, please click on the following link: http://youtu.be/wx-JNIB0zOY.

To learn more about the Caring Canadian Award, visit www.gg.ca/caring.

Media information: 
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca