Visit to Toronto

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is Canada's largest centre in the country dedicated to improving children's health. The hospital's mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized care by creating scientific and clinical advancements, sharing knowledge and expertise, and championing the development of an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system.

During the visit, the Governor General took the opportunity to present the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award to approximately 80 youth.

"Through volunteerism and philanthropy, and through our commitment to learning, innovation, families and children, it is conceivable that in six years’ time, when Canada reaches its 150th anniversary, we can say that we gave what we could, we participated in our society to the fullest, we learned and discovered amazing new things, we gave our children a bright future, and we realized a smarter, more caring nation," said the Governor General.

The Governor General reading a story and lifing young patients' spirits in the Hospital for Sick Children's Reading Room.

His Excellency also took the time to visit the Hospital for Sick Children Toronto (SickKids). Upon his arrival, the Governor General participated in a hard-hat tour of the SickKids Research and Learning Tower, and was accompanied by Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO, The Hospital for Sick Children (right), and Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation (left).

The Governor General took the time to meet with young patients, as well as members and volunteers of the SickKids Foundation.

To date, the award program has motivated over 500 000 young people from Canada, and over seven million youth in 130 countries worldwide, to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.

The Governor General was in Toronto on May 24, 2011, to recognize excellence in philanthropy and volunteerism-one of the pillars of his mandate

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a self-development program available to all young people between the ages of 14-25. The award encourages youth to be active, participate in new activities, and to pursue current interests in four different ways: Community Service, Skills Development, Physical Fitness, and Expeditions and Exploration. Gold Award participants must also complete a Residential Project consisting of voluntary service.

The Governor General concluded his visit by attending the SickKids Foundation's Donor Hall Celebration. The SickKids Foundation is the fundraising organisation of the Hospital for Sick Children. The Foundation's fundraising is driven by the belief that improving that health and well-being of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society.