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Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, June 10, 2015 What a pleasure it is to return to this hub of innovation in Toronto—the 2014 Intelligent Community of the Year! This truly is one of the world’s great cities, and that didn’t happen by accident. So let me congratulate everyone who was involved in the effor...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 18, 2015 I’d like to begin by saying how pleased Sharon and I are to have Mrs. Diana Michener Schatz and her husband, Ray Schatz, with us this evening. It was Diana’s father, Roland Michener, who inaugurated this award for outstanding public service journalism 45 years ag...

Toronto, Ontario, Friday, June 19, 2015 Where were you in 1967? I see a few fresh faces out there. You’re too young to remember that special year. I also see some people here today with grey hair like mine. Most of you must remember 1967. I sure do. During Canada’s centennial year, I was a law profe...

Toronto, Ontario, Friday, June 19, 2015 What a magnificent gathering of artists and artistic supporters! No matter what you bring to the arts, each of you has a deep understanding of their importance to our national identity. I’ve already seen some amazing pieces of art and fantastic performances he...

Guelph, Ontario, Thursday, June 25, 2015 Thank you all for being here. For a number of reasons, this is a remarkable occasion. It’s remarkable that we gather to dedicate this statue one hundred years after John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields.” It’s remarkable that a poem written near the front lin...

Guelph, Ontario, Thursday, June 25, 2015 What a pleasure it is to be with you in Guelph—truly one of this country’s smartest, most caring communities. The evidence for that is right here in this room. The kind of excellence shown by this evening’s award recipients is a big part of the reason why thi...

Rideau Hall, Friday, June 26, 2015 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY It’s a pleasure to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall for this special ceremony. Today, we present both the Meritorious Service Decorations and the Decorations for Bravery to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as to members of the U...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, June 27, 2015 Welcome all of you to this spectacular display of pageantry, precision and colour. What a magnificent way to kick off the summer! The Ceremonial Guard is once again ready to take up their positions here at Rideau Hall, on Parliament Hill and at the Tomb of the Un...

Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 Isn’t it great that we’re all gathered under this maple leaf flag, created 50 years ago?! Each of us, including our women and men in uniform, stands on guard for this flag! I’ve met many people from coast to coast to coast who are giving back to this countr...

Whitehorse, Yukon, Monday, July 6, 2015 I’d like to start by acknowledging that this gathering is taking place on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än First Nations. What a pleasure it is for Sharon and me to be here today for this historic opening. This truly is a wonderf...

Inaugural Presentation Ceremony of the Polar Medal

Toronto, Ontario, Sunday, May 31, 2015 Thank you for your warm welcome, and thanks to all of you for being here. And to those who have travelled to Canada’s financial capital from abroad, welcome! This annual gathering is a valuable opportunity for you to share ideas and experiences, and to work tog...

Toronto, Ontario, Friday, July 10, 2015 Good morning, everyone! Thank you for inviting me to speak to such a wonderful audience. And a special welcome to all of you who have come from across Latin America to attend this conference. I have such a strong, personal connection to Latin America, and I’m ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, July 17, 2015 This is an important day for our Canadian Armed Forces. The change of command ceremony is a key moment in our military’s history. It signals a passing of the torch from one leader to another. Today, we bid a grateful farewell to outgoing Chief of the Defence St...

Rideau Hall, Friday, August 21, 2015 What can I say about that My Giving Moment video we just saw, ladies and gentlemen?! It was a rare opportunity to indulge my inner rock star, really let my hair down and get hooked on giving! All thanks to the magic of motion pictures! And of course, that’s why w...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, August 22, 2015 What can I say about that My Giving Moment video we just saw, ladies and gentlemen?! It was a nice opportunity to indulge my inner rock star, really let my hair down and get hooked on giving! All thanks to the magic of motion pictures! And of course, that’s why...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 3, 2015 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Good morning, everyone, and welcome! This is an anniversary of sorts: the fifth year in a row that we’ve launched this great campaign at Rideau Hall! It’s very appropriate that we do so. One of the things we do a lot at Rideau Hall is c...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Today, history is being made. The reign of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada has reached 23,226 days, 17 hours and 23 minutes in duration. That’s more than 63 years! And that means that Her Majesty has surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as th...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 10, 2015 Welcome, all of you, to Rideau Hall, and to Canada. I’m so pleased to see you here. As heads of mission, you’re so important to the friendship that exists between Canada and the countries you represent. Even in an age of instant, global communication, there’...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 16, 2015 This is a great day for the public service of Canada. I’m so pleased to have this chance to say thank you, on behalf of all Canadians, for what you have achieved. And not just what you have achieved, but how and why you’ve done so. After all, I’ll be presen...