The Citadelle, Quebec, Monday, October 5, 2015

I’m honoured to welcome all of you to the Citadelle today.

How fitting that we’re here celebrating police officers in Québec, considering the history of this place.

One of the first Canadian police forces was formed in this city in 1651. However, that gathering of individuals was less of a “force” as we know it today than a group acting as night watchmen for the community.

As time went on, people realized that a volunteer or self-policing approach simply wasn’t the best approach to maintaining law and order.

The best way is to recruit talented men and women and to build public trust.

You do this by following the rule of law and by working hand in hand with the community. By ensuring your presence is felt and by treating those you serve with respect and with compassion.

In other words, we make our cities safer by putting our trust in people like you.

You are officers of the highest quality.

You enforce our laws.

You keep the peace.

You act as community ambassadors.

You provide essential services and you do it well.

It’s not easy, the job you do.

There was a stark reminder of that just last week, on Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day.

Hundreds of police officers, peace officers, families and friends gathered on Parliament Hill to hear the recitation of the Honour Roll—the names of more than 850 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Officers who were doing their duty, who were protecting us, who were ensuring the safety of others.

The Memorial wall on Parliament Hill is a potent reminder of the sacrifice police officers make.

This year, the event encouraged the use of the hashtag “Heroes in life.”

But what has struck me the most in ceremonies such as this is your humility. You don’t consider yourselves heroes, just regular people doing your job.

Yet, there’s nothing ordinary about each of you.

Through your sense of duty, your courage and your compassion, you do the extraordinary.

The insignia you will receive shortly represents all that you have accomplished, all that you have done for this country.

It’s Canada’s way of saying thank you for your continued dedication to your communities.

You have earned our respect and our gratitude. Keep up your good work, helping us create more secure and caring communities.

 Once again, thank you and congratulations.