Rideau Hall, Friday, May 24, 2013

I would like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada, for the opening of a new section of the Trans Canada Trail.

This country has so many wonderful points on the map, so many great vistas and landmarks to discover. And with that comes the opportunity to be physically active, to explore these points with verve and vigour, alongside treasured friends and family. Keeping a healthy mind, after all, requires us to keep a healthy body, and that can begin with a simple walk.

This is why I am so excited by the Trans Canada Trail, why Sharon and I are proud to be its patrons, and why I am honoured to add the grounds of Rideau Hall to the Trail.

There is so much history here!

Permit me to take you far back into the history of Rideau Hall. More than 10 000 years ago, these grounds were under water. Gradually the waters receded, first exposing the area on which we now stand, and then the surrounding area, connecting it with the rest of what would become known as Canada.

It would be a very long time before Thomas MacKay would begin clearing the land to build a home for his family. This was the beginning of Rideau Hall.

Since Confederation, every governor general has called this place home, each one leaving something behind, building and expanding on what was here before.

Rideau Hall grew with Canada, expanding as Canada did.

And each subsequent governor general has left us so much to see and discover.

Today, with the help of its partners, Rideau Hall is becoming more sustainable. We all need to be stewards of the environment, which is why the greening of Rideau Hall is so vital.

From the gardens that grow the food served at our events to the steps taken to reduce waste, to other initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint, we are ensuring Rideau Hall will be here for generations to come.

The path we open today will take visitors along the MacKay Walk, the route leading to the original MacKay residence, built in 1838. No doubt they will stop along the way to admire the Canadian Heritage Garden and the Unity Pool, symbols of our national harmony. This is not unlike the Trail itself, which stretches—and will one day soon unite us—from coast to coast to coast.

Visitors will then walk by many of the trees planted by visiting heads of State before arriving at the Fountain of Hope, dedicated to Terry Fox and the inspiring trail he ran across the country during his Marathon of Hope. It passes in front of the majesty of the residence, where Canadians are honoured and foreign dignitaries are welcomed.

Sharon and I are also pleased that this new section of the trail includes 24 Sussex, connecting the residences that have been the stage for many important moments in the history of our country. In addition, we would like to take this opportunity to commend Mrs. Harper on the outstanding work she has been doing in support of the trail.

As we can see, Canada’s trails are a part of our shared history; a history that we have discovered and rediscovered together. So many Canadians before us have walked these trails, have set foot upon this land to walk its splendour.

We owe a debt of gratitude to all those throughout our history who blazed these trails, as well as to those who continue today to connect us over land and water and air.

With that in mind, let me thank all the volunteers and the Trans Canada Trail members for their tireless work in support of their goal.

Without pioneers, both past and present, the Trans Canada Trail would not exist, nor would our country be what we recognize it to be today. That is the gift we continue to enjoy, which is the reason why the completion of the Trail by Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 is such a worthy goal.

I am delighted to welcome the Trail, and the many visitors who will walk its path, to Rideau Hall. I invite all Canadians to come and discover the trail’s newest section. 

Thank you.