Arnprior, Ontario, Monday, June 30, 2014

It is a pleasure for me to join all of you in Arnprior. I have very much enjoyed my afternoon, with the opportunity to meet people and to discover the wonderful work being done here. I can understand why all of you take such pride in your community. This has certainly been a memorable visit.

And what a great way to finish the day!

I am pleased to see all of you gathered here for this pre-Canada Day celebration. There are so many activities planned for this evening, so many ways to mark Canada’s birthday.

And how motivating was it to see such a warm welcome for Clara and her team. In fact, let me add my own congratulations to them.

Bravo to you on a job well done!

Clara, I am greatly honoured to be a part of the team riders for a short time today. Although I am an avid biker, my mind boggles at what you have all accomplished!

As you have said on many occasions, however, the ride itself was simply a means to an end: to get people talking about mental health.

And you have succeeded in your goal, meeting with countless Canadians—particularly young people—and getting the conversation going. You have touched the hearts and minds of children across the country. Because of your efforts—and more broadly those of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative—we are making great inroads into overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health.

And it is essential that Canadians, both young and old, all around the country, continue to talk about this issue.

I am here for one reason. This cause is so important. I am delighted to add my support and my voice to raising awareness about mental health issues on numerous occasions, and I have learned more about the recognizable stigma that people living with mental health illnesses are forced to carry. It is time—long past time—that they should be able to shed that baggage.

We must not maintain silence—nor act deaf and dumb—not when people are suffering, not when people’s lives are at risk.

Everyone here knows that mental illness does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or culture. Its impact is felt by family, friends and colleagues—by nearly every Canadian, in some way or another. And this will not change until we work together to improve our collective well-being.

How do we do this? Clara has shown us one important way: through education.

We must inform ourselves in order to help others. The more knowledge we have, the better we will be able to help those in need. And this starts in our schools, by encouraging young people to think differently. We must urge them—and everyone, in fact—to speak up, to get involved, to involve others, to get help and to recognize when someone needs help. We can improve lives, and even save them, if we simply make the effort.

And we should recognize the efforts that people are making.

That is why I am so pleased to be here today to honour Clara Hughes.

Clara has, of course, inspired us with her sportsmanship and determination. So many Canadians cheered her on during her successes in both the summer and winter Olympic Games. But she has also worked tirelessly to raise awareness on the national scale in support of mental health programs and initiatives. Her 12 000-kilometre, 110-day cycling journey saw her visit 95 communities and 80 schools, and travel through every province and territory. She and her team attended more than 260 public events, including this one!

Clara, I commend you for your accomplishments, and I thank you for your dedication to changing how society perceives mental health issues. It gives me great pleasure to present you with the Meritorious Service Cross, Civilian Division, in recognition of all you have done and are continuing to do to break down mental health barriers.