April 22, 2013

Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston,
Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of 
Earth Day

OTTAWA—Canadians are quite fortunate for a number of reasons, not least of which because we live in one of the vastest and most beautiful countries in the world. It is my belief that all Canadians are bound together by a shared love of the land—the ocean coasts, tall mountains, open fields, quiet forests and frozen tundra that compose Canada’s rugged and majestic landscape.

It would be a grave error to take all this for granted. The natural wonders of this world are not as immutable and eternal as we should like to think; much like a famous work of art, they require great care, maintenance and attention. We live in a symbiotic relationship with our planet, dependant on its resources for sustenance, shelter and wealth. The well-being both of our planet and of humankind rests on the delicate balance of the earth’s ecosystems. Only by promoting sustainability will we be able to face the challenges ahead as both our global civilization and our planet grow older. In other words, let us aspire to be curators rather than plunderers of this earth. Our children will thank us for it. 

I would like to wish everyone a most enjoyable and instructive Earth Day, as we all reflect on the wonders of the natural world and on effective ways to preserve them.

David Johnston

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Media information:

Melanie Villeneuve
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
melanie.villeneuve@gg.ca 

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