Rideau Hall, Friday, May 24, 2013

It is a pleasure to welcome to Rideau Hall—the home of the people of Canada—all of you, who serve and protect the people of Canada.

Those of you being honoured here today as investees in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces have made outstanding contributions to policing services in Canada and in other parts of the world. You ensure our safety and make us feel secure in our cities and towns. You put your own lives on the line for us every day, maintaining peace and order in our communities. You are ambassadors to new Canadians and to youth. You are compassionate counsellors in times of great difficulty and grief. 

And we must not lose sight of any of this.

Many of you and your colleagues go above and beyond to safeguard our well-being, often working in anonymity, and without expectation of recognition. We may not often hear of your deeds, or laud your accomplishments to the wider world, but you are there, constant and consistent, serving our communities.

That is why it is so important to recognize what you do for Canadians across the country and why I am proud to invest you into the Order today.

Although this honour has a short history, having only been established in 2000, it has nonetheless become a great way to acknowledge what police and police support staff do for us every day.

What is particularly rewarding for me is the opportunity to learn about your individual stories: how you came to serve the public in this manner, what you have done in your communities, how you are building a smarter, more caring nation, one day at a time.

Because that is what you do. Whether or not you realize it, you are creating a better Canada, not through transformation on a large scale, but by helping your fellow citizens, one at a time.

And you do so with the knowledge that service to others is one of the most important ways to improve our society.

Like many others across the country, you have come to the shared realization that you can make a difference in your community. That the only way to build a fair and just society is by being fair and just.

By accepting this honour, you join the ranks of a growing community of members who have dedicated themselves to creating a stronger Canada. You do so in your daily lives and with a keen sense of duty and consideration for others.

I congratulate all of you on this occasion, and thank you for your service to your communities and to this country.