Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Thank you all for being here at Government House today.

What a beautiful crowd!

Each of our Caring Canadian Award recipients today has given generously of their time and their talents.

To all of you: thank you.

You’ve done so for many years, without expectation of reward or recognition.

You’ve done so for one reason:

Because you care.

You show it in so many different ways—too many for me to list in a short speech.

Your compassion has been felt by people within your communities, throughout this province, across Canada and, in some cases, overseas.

What unites your efforts is the impulse to give back, to share, to roll up your sleeves and help others.

The Caring Canadian Award is presented as a token of gratitude for your dedication to good and worthy causes.

This award is to say “thank you” for everything you do.

And it’s to encourage others to follow your lead.

Each of your names was put forward by someone who knows about the countless hours of volunteer work you put in.

To be honoured by one’s community and by one’s country at the same time: that’s the beauty of the Caring Canadian Award.

On that note, if you’ll permit me, I’d like to ask one small favour from you.

I’d like you to think of other deserving people you know, and I want you to consider nominating them.

We’ve even launched a web platform to help you with the task at caring.gg.ca.

It makes it easier than ever to nominate someone!

One of the wonderful things about this award is that it truly is a grassroots honour.

It’s from the community, for the community.

I’m so grateful for all of your hard work and dedication. You’re most deserving of this honour.

Congratulations, and once again, thank you.