PM announces new awards program to recognize Canada's volunteers

Thank you very much.  First of all, I want to thank you, Rob Nicholson, for that kind introduction.  Also want to say hello to all my colleagues, to Diane Finley, to Gary Goodyear, to Phil McColeman, to Dean Allison, to Mayor Sharpe, to all of you, ladies and gentlemen.

In a moment I will make an announcement about the value our government places on the work done by more than 12 million volunteers right across the country.  They are the unsung heroes of Canada, from coast to coast to coast, who quietly build up our communities and help make our country great.

But first, I want you to know that I’m thrilled to be back in Welland, the place where rails and water meet.

On my last trip, as you know, I was shown around Niagara College as we announced an exciting construction project, the new Applied Health Institute.

But, like so many Canadians, I also love coming to the Niagara Peninsula because of its place in Canadian history.  In a not too distant future we will be recognising the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Many of the key sites of that war were right here. In the War of 1812, Canada was saved, and its destiny as a country distinct from the United States was secured by a mix of professional regiments, aboriginal peoples, and of course, local volunteer militias, English and French-speaking alike.

In fact, the Lincoln Militia, predecessors of today’s Lincoln and Welland Regiment were part of every major battle along the Niagara Peninsula.

And, of course, the War of 1812 recalls one of the most famous volunteers in Canadian history, Laura Secord, who played a key role in stopping the American surprise attack at Beaver Dams.  But while Laura Secord made history, most volunteers are happy just to make somebody’s day.

That’s the way it is here in Welland, and it is that way in communities across Canada, where 12 million generous Canadians carry on this great tradition of volunteering through a wide range of activities.

You will see it in local efforts such as bake sales, paper drives, Meals on Wheels. You’ll see it in service to regional and provincial organizations, in culture, in kids’ sports.  You will see it on the grand scale, at international events like last year’s Olympics or the upcoming Pan-Am games.  These depend largely on dedicated volunteers for their smooth operation.

Now, our hosts here at the Welland Lions Club have a long history.  Their club has been raising money for good causes since 1923.  It’s a wonderful record, truly superb, and frankly, indicative of a great organization, the Lions Organization, and the work it does across the country.  So please give our hosts a hand.

I’m pleased to see so many of you, so many Lions here with us today, and you have some other guests today, many men and women who by their quiet work for others make Welland the wonderful place that it is to live.

Let’s meet some of them.

Shirley Perron was instrumental in creating the Welland Food Drive, and has remained a committed volunteer for 19 years.  Shirley does a fantastic job of living up to her mother’s motto: "A job worth doing is worth doing well."

Then there’s Bill Walters.  Earlier today I had a look at the new and expanded Seniors’ Centre, which our government is helping to build in the new Rose City Community Wellness and Abilities Centre. 

With its auditorium, fitness room and therapeutic pool, it has obvious services for Welland seniors as well as the general population and the volunteers who serve them all.

But we’re also building a new centre for the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara.  And while our government delivers funds, we count on volunteers like Bill Walters to make it work.  Bill volunteered his time and his expertise to provide the leadership to keep the project on track and to make sure it gets built on time.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Brad Main.  He’s an inspiration.  He was in a terrible car accident and could no longer work, but instead of giving up, he did what he could do.  He got involved with St. John Ambulance and, along with his therapy dog Jazz, he visits patients at the Welland General Hospital.

So to Shirley, Bill, Brad, we all want to say great work.  Thank you for doing what you do.

There are also whole organizations, of course, dedicated to volunteer service.

The Richelieu Club is providing tremendous support to the food drive, the Help a Child Smile campaign, and so many other activities that make Welland a solid, sharing community. 

Also, more than 1300 Welland seniors enjoy an active life thanks to the programs offered through the Rose City Seniors Centre at Holy Trinity Church.

This is just a small sampling of Welland’s many outstanding volunteers and fine organizations.

There is, though, if I can, just one maybe additional example of citizens’ service that I do want to mention, and that’s because it probably isn’t normally thought of in the same category.

The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, of which I spoke earlier, is still a militia regiment today.  So I just want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown of the Lincoln and Wellands, killed in Afghanistan in March 2009.

Ladies and gentlemen, service in the reserves is a form of volunteerism, of giving, of giving back, of giving particularly to our country, and it is of the very highest order.

As you know, during his inauguration address last year, Governor General David Johnston described volunteerism, public service, the idea "of being a generous and caring nation" as one "cherished by Canadians of all backgrounds and all ages."

He is right. Volunteers are motivated from within.  Doing the job is its own reward for them.  But volunteerism should not be an entirely thankless task.

Today I’m announcing a new program that will give outstanding volunteers the recognition they deserve.  The Prime Minister’s Awards for Volunteerism will be my personal thank-you, on behalf of all Canadians.

Our objective is to raise the profile of volunteerism, to help encourage other Canadians to become volunteers, and so to help create the kind of generous and caring nation that the Governor General spoke of. 

The award will be presented in three categories, in each of five regions across Canada. 

First for community leaders, those everyday individuals and groups that make a difference in their communities.  Second for business leaders, especially small businesses that marshal resources behind a cause. Third for social innovators, organizations with new ideas. 

Award recipients will be able to designate an eligible, not-for-profit organization to receive a grant of $5000.  In addition, two national awards of $10,000 will be granted, one recognizing lifelong achievement and the other for outstanding young adult leadership. 

Because each volunteer contributes in his or her own way, these awards will capture the diverse range of work that volunteers do from sea to sea to sea. 

The formal call for nominations will come when we celebrate National Volunteer Week, starting April 10th, and the first awards will be presented next winter.

Meanwhile, I’m launching this program today to give all Canadians plenty of time to think about the volunteers that make a difference in their lives and in the lives of their communities.

Further information is now posted on my website, www.pm.gc.ca/awards. ; There will be many worthy candidates to choose from, men and women who will be role models for all of us.

Across Canada, volunteers are the backbone of community life.  The Prime Minister’s Awards for Volunteerism will give them the appreciation they deserve.

Thank you very much.

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