Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, March 17, 2017

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What a year this is!

The 150th anniversary of Canada!

And the 125th of the Stanley Cup!

It’s so appropriate, because the Cup is a great Canadian symbol.

It represents teamwork.

Perseverance.

Excellence.

Tonight, we pay tribute to the Stanley Cup, and to these qualities.

They bring out the very best in us!

My predecessor, Lord Stanley, would be so proud to see all of us here today.

Like all of us, he and Lady Stanley and their children loved the game of hockey.

He gave us the original bowl that sits atop the Cup, proving that good things start small and grow, one step at a time.

Just as the best hockey players focus on playing one shift at a time,

one period at a time,

one game at a time.

And that’s how we build better communities and a better country.

One day at a time.

Working together.

Striving to do better.

The Stanley Cup is a symbol not just of hockey excellence, but of excellence, period.

Let’s be inspired by its presence on this great occasion.

Happy birthday, Stanley!