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PM Harper delivers remarks at the 2012 Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards
Thank you very much.
Thank you Diane for that kind introduction and let me begin by saying that I share your observation that there is a joyous and festive mood all throughout Parliament Hill.
It feels like Christmas here.
It always feels much more festive as soon as the House stops sitting, that I do notice every year.
Thank you Senator Eaton, Nicki, for acting as our MC today.
Cabinet and caucus colleagues, thank you for joining us. Medal recipients, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, my friends.
My friends, it is a great privilege to serve as Canada's Prime Minister.
And as Prime Minister there are many moments that remind me what a privilege it is to serve Canada and Canadians, moments such as this one.
To each of the inaugural recipients of the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards, I must tell you how honoured I am to be in your company today.
Your exceptional contributions as volunteers, as businesses that look beyond the bottom line, and as innovative not for profits mean so much for so many from coast to coast to coast each and every day.
Your example challenges all citizens to service.
Yes, I mean all citizens.
The great statesman Edmund Burke once put it this way, let me quote, "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
More recently his Excellency David Johnson spoke of volunteerism and described the idea of being a generous and caring nation as one cherished by Canadians of all backgrounds and all ages.
How very right he is.
And how often do volunteers motivated from within take the doing of good works as its own sufficient satisfaction.
For that we applaud them.
This Prime Minister believes that volunteerism should be given greater public recognition in Canada.
And these awards, the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards, are a thank you on behalf of myself, the Government of Canada, and all Canadians.
It is a thank you to the more than 13 million of our citizens, as Diane mentioned, represented by those gathered here who give their time each year.
Just to repeat some of the statistics, it has been conservatively estimated that the volunteer work that can be measured would, if paid for, cost the economy more than $14 billion.
But ladies and gentlemen that is almost certainly a gross understatement.
It's actually impossible to calculate the true value of volunteer service and the care and the caring that it represents.
All we know, all we can know for sure, is that Canadians would be poorer without it, much poorer.
So let me tell you about a few of these, the first recipients of this award.
I know it's always a bit of a risk to single people out but everybody's story will be told a bit later.
Savoie and Savoie, a Repentigny Québec law firm, is home to the kind of men and women we had in mind when we established this award.
The three lawyers in this firm, together with three paralegals, put in a thousand hours a year of volunteer community work.
Do the math.
Just six people volunteer a thousand hours of their time.
And if that were not enough, they also donate about $20,000 a year to charitable organizations.
My friends, please join me in congratulating the men and women of the Savoie et Savoie law firm.
Another winner I'm proud to say is an organization from my home province of Alberta.
The Lo-Se-Ca Foundation began with a single community residence in Saint Albert in 1992 in order to provide support for people with developmental disabilities.
Since then its faithful service has been so valued that there are now 23 such homes in Saint Albert and Edmonton.
The Lo-Se-Ca Foundation shows how a not for profit organization can help foster a thriving community.
Ladies and gentlemen, join me in saluting the Lo-Se-Ca Foundation.
Finally I want to recognize Timea Nagy.
This brave young woman arrived in Canada only a decade ago. She came from Hungary seeking opportunity but instead she found abuse and horror.
Timea was abducted and forced to work in the sex trade.
Fortunately she bravely escaped her captors and now she devotes her life to raising awareness about human trafficking and helping other survivors.
She operates the only safe house for victims of human trafficking in Ontario.
Timea, we all stand in your shadow.
Congratulations.
Unfortunately time does prevent me from describing every one of the 17 outstanding Canadians, businesses and organizations that have been chosen as the first recipients of this award.
However I will ask you to join me in thanking the regional reviewers as well as the members of the Prime Minister's Voluntary Awards National Advisory Committee.
It was these men and women, volunteers themselves I might add, who assessed the more than 750 nominations that came in.
That in itself was a notable act of service, so thank you to David Nash and all members of the committee. Appreciate your hard work.
Now ladies and gentlemen, in a moment you're going to meet the first ever recipients of the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards.
It is your day, to all of you, enjoy it and while I have a chance, to everybody, Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and season's greetings to everybody.
Thank you very much.
