Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 27, 2017

What a pleasure to see you all here at Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada.

All of you are such great friends of this office and this country, and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding support you’ve given to Sharon and me during our time here.

Canada is a constantly evolving work-in-progress, and you have done such wonderful and varied work to help us build a better country. Allow me to highlight just a few of your efforts and how you have partnered with us.

As delegates on foreign visits, some of you played key roles in helping us represent the best of Canada to the world.

Others of you have been active in helping us raise awareness of the importance of mental health, as well as in fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.

Some of you have guided and informed us in our efforts to celebrate and respect the cultures and traditions of Indigenous peoples.

Others of you served as members of advisory committees working on issues including volunteerism and philanthropy, innovation, global excellence, as well as the establishment of the Rideau Hall Foundation.

Today, we also welcome members of valued patron organizations who have worked with us on many worthy causes over the years.

We also welcome our partners in honouring Canadian excellence in learning, science and technology, arts and culture and so many other important spheres.

Some of you helped us bring events to life through music, through ceremony, through the attention to detail that ensures dignity and a warm Rideau Hall reception for our guests.

Without exception, all of you are valued partners in strengthening our communities and in making Canada a smarter, more caring country.

When I began my mandate as governor general, I called on all Canadians to join in building a smarter, more caring nation.

You answered that call in countless ways, and if we have achievements to speak of from the past seven years, it’s in large part because of your enthusiastic help.

Sharon and I will always cherish our memories of all of you who brought this place to life, and who did so much for Canada.

You gave your time, your talent and your resources to many of our efforts, and we are so grateful for your friendship and your help.

Thank you.