Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, May 14, 2014

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What a delight it is to be in this beautiful, historic, smart and caring community! Thank you for giving me such a warm welcome.

And thank you for being here. The community centre in which we have gathered is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together towards a common cause.

I understand that a number of local community groups share this space. This is truly wonderful; it is both the “right” thing to do and the “bright” thing to do. Not only are you pooling resources, but you are also interacting and learning from one another, and establishing important ties.

Connections like these can lead to great things. Time and again, I have learned that remarkable things can happen when people come together.

This is particularly true when the overall goal is a shared one.

Your overall goal is to create a better community, while building a stronger region, province and country.

When I became governor general, I called my installation speech A Smart and Caring Nation: A Call to Service. By encouraging and supporting volunteerism and philanthropy, learning and innovation, and families and children, I believe that we can bring about the smarter, more caring Canada we all desire.

In 1967, Canadians celebrated our Centennial Year by building arenas and community centres to strengthen our nation’s civic pride and culture.

With our 150th birthday coming up in 2017, we once again have an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen Canada.

And of course, the real work of building a better country is performed at the community level, in places like Mahone Bay.

The people of this community show remarkable generosity; this includes the hard work and dedication of all those who support the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia—an organization of which I am proud to be patron.

We all benefit because of people like you.

I am so pleased to be here today because each of you believes so strongly in the importance of community, and you understand that, in a democratic society such as Canada, everyone has something to give.

I would like to thank all the community foundation members and donors, the community leaders and volunteers who have all come together—not just today but over many years of service—to support this region.

That support includes donations provided to the Lunenburg County Smart and Caring Fund—the first of its kind in the province.

The Fund will strengthen your ability to mobilize local residents, organizations and resources in a shared effort to help others.

Yours is an essential contribution to this province and to Canada, and for that, I am truly grateful.

I am also delighted to have this opportunity to make a very special presentation to some remarkable people who have given so much of their time and effort to this province and community.

The Caring Canadian Award was first established in 1995 by my predecessor, the late Roméo LeBlanc—a great Maritimer. He wanted to recognize Canada’s volunteers, those who give so much of themselves to others—and who do so quietly, without fanfare or expectation of reward.

How appropriate, given that Mr. LeBlanc has been called “the unassuming governor general” for his modest, low-key manner. He understood that when it comes to helping others, actions speak louder than words.

The Caring Canadian Award was created to recognize and honour talented, generous people like you, people who deserve our admiration, and the deepest thanks of all Canadians.

This is a smart and caring organization in a smart and caring community. Thank you for your hard work and compassion.