North Bay, Ontario, Thursday, March 31, 2016

It’s great to be back in North Bay—I used to play hockey and football here when I was a kid, not much older than a lot of you are!

I was born in Sudbury and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, so I know all about what it’s like to live in northern Ontario!

These days, I live in Ottawa, and one thing I’ve learned while travelling across Canada as governor general is how great this country is.

What makes Canada great is people like you. People like your parents and teachers and friends.

We’re all different, and that’s a good thing.

There’s no one else like you in the world, after all.

Our diversity, our differences—that’s the true strength of our country.

All of you have something special that we should celebrate, whether that’s a talent, language, culture or belief.

From what I’ve heard and seen today, this school is a model for many others across Canada.

And if I had to pick one word that describes all of you, one word that brings you together, that word would be “welcoming.”

You’re doing your best to find the good in each other, to understand one another.

One of the most important things to understanding other people is your education.

Your teachers and your school are giving you all the tools you need to succeed.

But you’re teaching us as well.

You’re showing us how important it is to treat each other with respect.

To be inclusive.

To say no to bullying.

I know you’re always up to that challenge.

And because of that, you’re helping to build a society where we can all leave in peace.

Before I go, I have some advice for you:

Ask questions;

Be curious;

Explore your passions;

Be tolerant and open to the world.

And now, I’m looking forward to some questions from you!

Thank you.