Media Room

Speeches

Speaking notes for
the Honourable Scott Brison
Minister of
Public Works and Government Services Canada

For a news conference to announce
the name of the new
Government of Canada Building in Charlottetown

Charlottetown, P.E.I.
August 17, 2005

Check against delivery

Thank you very much for that kind introduction, merci. Dr. Canfield, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to welcome everyone here today as we prepare to christen the new Government of Canada building… a truly landmark “green” building for Charlottetown.

Many of you will have watched as construction progressed quite rapidly over the last few months. And it will continue to do so over the coming year.

For some, I’m sure, the construction site may appear simply as a hodgepodge of concrete, dirt and construction equipment.

However, I see something quite different. I see the vitality of this city and this province. I see the commitment of the Government of Canada to better serve its citizens. And I see the beginnings of a modern cutting edge “green” building that will serve as a model of sustainable development. In short, I see the future.

And yet to appreciate that future we must also acknowledge the past and the contributions of the generations of sons and daughters that have built this great city - especially fitting this year when Charlottetown is marking its 150 th anniversary.

In that vein, we reached out to the community to ask them to help find a suitable name to grace this new building.

There were more than 60 suggestions from the public – and I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered a name. And I’d especially like to thank and recognize the hard-working members of the Citizen Liaison Committee.

They oversaw the naming process and worked with the design team to ensure this building would meet the needs of their community for years to come.

In the end, one name stood out…it was put forth more than any other. And it’s indeed appropriate to choose the name of a trail-blazing woman for a building that is indeed blazing its own trail as a model of environmental efficiency.

And so, I’m proud to announce that the Charlottetown Government of Canada Building will now be known as the Jean Canfield Building.

Ms. Canfield was born in Westmorland in 1918. In 1970, she became the first female member of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly.

From 1972 to 1974, she was Minister Responsible for the P.E.I Housing Authority, making her the first woman to sit in the Provincial Cabinet.

These accomplishments made Jean Canfield a true pioneer. Those who were privileged to know her recall that she was a passionate advocate for the causes of her native province and a strong believer in the value of public service.

And Jean was equally passionate about the contributions women could make to public life. She made these views known as chair of the Provincial Advisory Committee on the Status of Women in 1972.

In doing so, she served as a role model to women such as former Premier Callbeck who chose to dedicate their talents and energies to public service in Prince Edward Island. And I’m sure her example will continue to inspire those who have chose the path of public service.

Therefore, it is entirely fitting that this modern and indeed avant-garde building should bear the name of a person who, in her own right, was also avant-garde, who served her community with distinction and who represented so well the values and spirit of accomplishment that distinguish this province.

And so, having paid homage to a distinguished citizen of the past, my thoughts again turn to the future. And this building speaks to that future in many ways.

It speaks to the pledge made by this government to continually explore new and innovative ways to serve its citizens faster, smarter and better.

And it speaks to the sustainability and environmental responsibility needed to ensure that the world we pass on to our children is safe and clean.

In fact, the new Jean Canfield building will be the most environmentally progressive structure ever built by the department of Public Works and Government Services.

It will be rated by the Canada Green Building Council as LEED’s Gold. That’s a system that recognizes leading-edge buildings with high-performance advantages and reduced environmental impacts. We are incorporating state-of-the-art technology like photovoltaics, rainwater recycling, a green roof, and innovative use of natural light.

By doing so, the building will reduce water use by 70 percent and energy consumption by 60 percent.

In short, it will be an environmental showcase to Canada and the world.

So let’s celebrate the new Jean Canfield Building – one that speaks to both our past and most definitely to our future. Thank you.