Remarks on the occasion of the farewell reception for Canada’s 28th Governor General
Your Excellencies, Prime Minister, Madame Grégoire Trudeau, Speaker Regan, fellow parliamentarians, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
As the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, it is a great honour to convey, on behalf of all senators, our fondest expression of gratitude to His Excellency David Johnston and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston.
Your service to our Canada has been marked by a relentless determination.
A relentless determination to foster positive change.
To connect with people from coast to coast to coast.
To inspire, and indeed to share, your intense love for Canada.
Your Excellency, Canadians know you in many ways—a small town boy, an athlete, a lawyer, a teacher, a public servant, a husband, father, grandfather, and the 28th Governor General of Canada.
We Canadians have also come to know you as one who personifies grace, strength, and dignity.
During your seven years in office, you have steered us through a time of change and uncertainty.
Here at home and abroad, both Your Excellencies have represented the very best of Canada — from spending Christmas with our troops in Afghanistan at Camps Alamo and Black Horse, to challenging the stigma of mental illness and fueling the conversation across our country.
In your book, The Idea of Canada, you wrote, and I quote,
“Canadians must relentlessly uphold principles and take actions that are inclusive, honourable, selfless, smart, and caring at every turn without fail.” End quote.
Your Excellency, you have carried out your mandate in just this way.
And for this, Canadians are forever grateful.
Many of us here today will be long gone and long forgotten, when future generations of Canadians remember with great affection our 28th Governor General.
On behalf of all Senators and indeed all Canadians, I wish you both the very best in the next chapter of your already remarkable lives.
Thank you.