Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean Speech on the Occasion of the Official Welcome Ceremony at the Legislative Assembly
Halifax, Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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It is a great pleasure for my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and me to be here in Halifax on our first official visit to Nova Scotia.
And it is a great honour to accept this unprecedented invitation to address your legislature, the home of the first form of responsible government in the British Empire outside of Great Britain and where four of my predecessors were sworn in as governors general of Canada.
Steeped in history, the land that you represent has witnessed many of the most decisive events that have helped shape our nation, and continues to engage the popular imagination.
Look back over more than four hundred years, and we can clearly see that the history of Nova Scotia is also the history of Canada.
The first signs of openness which is so characteristic of this country came from the Mi’kmaq First Nations who greeted the European explorers to this land.A legend says that a Mi’kmaq woman dreamed of an island floating towards the land of her people. On this island, there were trees and living beings.
According to this legend, this vision is the reason why the Mi’kmaq people were not afraid when they saw the first explorers arrive on their ships.
On the contrary, they came to them, traded with them, exchanged knowledge with them.
In 1605, Samuel de Champlain and Sieur de Monts founded Port Royal.
That marked the beginning of the French presence in North America, as well as an historic meeting between European explorers and the First Nations.
Nova Scotia also played a central role in the struggle between France and Great Britain in the 1700s, most notably at the fortress at Louisbourg.
Later, your province welcomed many United Empire Loyalists who chose to remain British subjects after the American colonies to the South gained their independence.
In the 1800s, Nova Scotia prospered as a centre of maritime trade, at the same time enriching this province’s unique cultural heritage.
In 1867, Nova Scotia entered Confederation as one of the four founding partners in the enterprise known as Canada.
In the 20th century, Halifax continued to leave its mark on history.
The devastating Halifax explosion reminds us of this city’s storied role as a great naval port.
And Pier 21 served as the gateway to new beginnings for more than a million immigrants, refugees, and war brides.
Literally and figuratively, this city, and your province, harboured the creation of the Canada we have become.
Visiting Pier 21 for the first time last spring, I was deeply touched by a special exhibit on the Underground Railroad that assisted more than 30,000 Blacks to escape slavery in the United States.
By “following the north star to freedom” in Canada, they, too, sought a better life.
In doing so, they also challenged our nation to forever abandon its own toleration of slavery.
As this is Black History Month in Canada, and the 200th anniversary of the passing of Britain’s Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, I think it is especially important to reflect on this chapter of our collective history.
And yesterday morning on a return visit to Pier 21, I was profoundly moved and inspired by the personal stories of courage and tenacity of a diverse group of immigrant women from all corners of the world who have achieved their dream of becoming successful, productive and socially engaged citizens.
Province House itself evokes a history rich in lessons about freedom and nation building.
It was here, after all, that Joseph Howe defended himself against a trumped up libel charge after exposing government corruption.
The oratorical marathon that he performed in this building in 1835, arguing for the importance of free speech, remains legendary among journalists across this continent.
Although even the most demanding filibuster in this house is unlikely to require any of you to hold the floor for six straight hours, as he did, at least one of his observations is worth committing to memory.
To the jurors charged with deciding his fate, Mr. Howe confessed:
“When I sit down in solitude to the labours of my profession, the only questions I ask myself are: what is right, what is just, what is for the public good?”
Being able to speak up about injustice—in all its forms—is fundamental to the notion of democracy.
And the capacity we have in Canada to express opinions without restriction, censure or fear, is a precious gift that people all over the world have fought for, and sometimes died for.
Freedom of speech is essential for us to be able to speak openly about the wrongs of the present, as well as those of the past…
Whether it is to lament and learn from the wrenching expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, or the more recent destruction of Africville in the late 1960s and the community spirit that once resided there, despite the tragic treatment of its impoverished residents.
This freedom we collectively cherish should also permit us to question circumstances that disadvantage certain of our fellow citizens.
Freedom of speech is one of the most powerful tools we have to challenge inequities. And every one of us has a responsibility to take part.
Because as Martin Luther King Jr. famously noted, “until all of us are free, none of us is free.”
Your daily decisions have the capacity to make a profound difference in the lives of your citizens—not only those who are prosperous but those who are vulnerable and marginalized too.
The success of Nova Scotia, like the success of Canada, is compromised when people within the community suffer from poverty, or from discrimination of any kind.
As governor general of Canada, I have pledged to use my office to focus attention on the importance of breaking down such solitudes.
I believe in taking apart the walls of difference that continue to separate us: those imposed by geography and age, by gender and ethnicity, by language and religion, by education and ability.
How can we eliminate the barriers between us?
By listening to one another.
By fighting against indifference.
By working together.
In collaboration, we can find solutions to the social alienation that drives some our fellow citizens to isolation and despair.
I stand for a society where Aboriginal peoples, citizens of British and French ancestry, African Canadians, and people of all origins can live together in a spirit of mutual respect.
While there is always room for improvement, together we are living an achievement that has eluded many societies.
And the freedom of speech that you nurture in this chamber is essential to support it.
I am honoured to have had the opportunity to begin this dialogue here today, and I look forward to continuing it.
While my husband and I are here, we are participating in meaningful encounters with wide variety of Nova Scotian communities. I was very impressed by the team and young residents of Phoenix House, whose stories were so encouraging. And last evening’s cultural celebration at the Black Cultural Center was so moving, as one could not help but notice how far Canadian society has progressed.
And yesterday, my husband brought together, for the first time ever at Dalhousie University, Francophone community leaders, students and university representatives. Through this groundbreaking discussion, participants forged new ties and discovered new ways of working together. It was a strong reminder that Francophones are not alone in wanting to keep the French language alive. Nor is it their responsibility alone.
The people of Nova Scotia that you, Members of this honourable assembly, represent have important matters to discuss, inspiring stories to share, and valuable lessons to teach us all.
I am here to listen, and would like to thank the members of this historic house for extending this wonderful invitation to be the first governor general to address the Legislative Assembly and so the people of Nova Scotia.
Thank you ever so much for the opportunity to address you today.
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