Christmas Luncheon

David A. Edmison, Investment Counsellor, Past Chair, The Bloorview MacMillan Children's Foundation, Chair, The Empire Club Foundation and Past President, The Empire Club of Canada; Owen Rafferty, Student, McMaster University and Volunteer, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research; Pamela Johnston, Anishnawbe Health Toronto; Daniel Broderick, The Yonge Street Mission; Sue Cox, Executive Director, The Daily Bread Food Bank; Andrew Brown, The Yonge Street Mission; The Most Reverend Terence E. Finlay, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, Archbishop of The Diocese of Toronto Anglican Church and Honorary Chaplain, The Empire Club of Canada; Gareth S. Seltzer, Investment Banker, Director, Breakfast For Learning, Director, The Seltzer Chan Pond Inlet Foundation and Past President, The Empire Club of Canada; Eileen Coulton, The Empire Club of Canada "Community Service Award" Recipient for 2002-2003 and Co-Founder, "Inasmuch"; David Adcock, Managing Director. The Yonge Street Mission; Jack

December 19, 2002

Nederpelt, President, Heidrick & Struggles; and Denise Toulouse, Anishnawbe Health Toronto.

Introduction by Ann Curran

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce our very special guest speaker.

The Hon. James Bartleman was sworn in on March 7th as the 27th Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, following 35 years in Canada's foreign service. During his career, Mr. Bartleman was Canada's Ambassador to the European Union from 2000 to 2002. Prior to this, he was High Commissioner in Australia, South Africa and Cyprus and Ambassador in Israel and Cuba. From 1994 to 1998 he was Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Foreign and Defence Policy.

It sounds like you earned some air miles.

Mr. Bartleman was born in Orillm and grew up in Port Carting. He is a member of the "Mnjikaning" First Nation.

During his time in office, His Honour hopes to address three areas of need: mental health, anti-racism and support for aboriginal communities, especially young people.

Today, we are especially fortunate that His Honour will address not only these issues of importance but also he brings with him his recently published book "Out of Muskoka"--a revealing look at his life and in some respects, ours. All proceeds from the saes of "Out of Muskoka" go directly to the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to help fund student scholarships for aboriginal students.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Ontario and author, The Hon. James K. Bartleman.

James K. Bartleman

In the midst of this festive occasion and before I launch into my remarks, I invite you to pause and stand with me to pay our respects to the Rt. Hon. Ramon John Hnatyshyn, who passed away yesterday. In remembering the personal warmth and distinguished service of Canada's 24th Governor General, and your former Honorary President, let us observe a minute of silence at this time. Please rise.

Thank you. Please be seated. I have sent condolences to Mrs. Hnatyshyn and her two sons on behalf of the people of Ontario.

In attending this Christmas luncheon, it is a pleasure to find myself in such good company--or perhaps I should say in the company of such good people as my fellow head table guests from the Yonge Street Mission, the Anishnawbe Health Centre, and the Daily Bread Food Bank. As Honorary Vice-President of The Empire Club of Canada, I am delighted to attend your annual Christmas luncheon for the first time. It is my last public event this year--a pleasant end to a very busy and exciting year, not just for me but for our province.

We celebrated our Sovereign's Jubilee by investing loyal Canadians who have served this country well with the Golden Jubilee Medal. Ontarians turned out in great numbers to see the Queen and Prince Philip on their Royal Tour and we played host in July to many thousands of young people, who journeyed here from around the globe to celebrate World Youth Day with His Holiness the Pope.

Since my installation as Lieutenant-Governor in March, I have visited 37 communities around the province, and participated in more than 425 events. If I seem a little hoarse, that's because I've given 135 speeches--and have still not run out of things to say.

I also managed to find the time to complete the first part of my memoirs, "Out of Muskoka," the proceeds of which will go to the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to fund scholarships for First Nations youth. I wrote the book, not just as a memoir, but also to fill a gap in the history of my home area. And I'm happy about the way in which people have responded, especially in Muskoka. The mainstream community there has shown an interest in my stories, while the Native people are happy that their forgotten role in the history of that area is being told.

However, my accomplishments this past year pale in comparison with the achievements of many people I have met during my travels around Ontario. After 35 years in the Foreign Service, I can safely say that I have met some charismatic individuals during my postings abroad. It's heartwarming, then, that I should come home to Ontario to meet some of the most remarkable people I have ever encountered. In fact, it is one of the real privileges of this position to have the chance not just to meet them, but also to offer public recognition for the wonderful work they do.

It was an honour for me to give a Caring Canadian Award to a lady from near Hamilton who, despite being confined to a wheelchair herself, acts as an advocate for elderly people, so that they can live in their own homes for as long as possible. I presented the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship to a woman who has combined a full-time career as a teacher with a 20-year campaign to end violence against women and children, at home and abroad.

Earlier this year, I gave a Senior Achievement Award to a man whose lifelong passion for helping others is a legend in his community, even though he only arrived in Canada from Pakistan 10 years ago. And, at the other end of the age scale, I met an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year, who has fitted more charitable work into his seven years than most of us can claim in middle age.

These are just a few of the people I have met this year, who are doing good things for their communities. I am pleased to do what I can to bring these "local heroes" the recognition they deserve and to encourage others to follow their example, which is why I look forward today to taking part in the presentation of this year's Empire Club of Canada Award to another extraordinary individual who is making a significant impact on our community as a volunteer. But, before we do so, it is my great pleasure to bring you season's greetings, and to wish you all a New Year filled with peace and joy.

The appreciation of the meeting was expressed by Gareth S. Seltzer, Investment Banker, Director, Breakfast For Learning, Director, The Seltzer Chan Pond Inlet Foundation and Past President, The Empire Club of Canada.