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Opening Remarks by Barbara Uteck, Secretary to the Governor General - Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
October 6, 2003
INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
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MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU TODAY AND TO RESPOND TO YOUR
QUESTIONS ON THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES.
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I WOULD LIKE TO STRUCTURE MY REMARKS AROUND THE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL TO PROVIDE
CONTEXT FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND SO YOU CAN SEE HOW ADDITIONAL RESOURCES APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS SUPPORT
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S PROGRAM AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE OFFICE.
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THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF CANADA HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE AND A RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING CANADIANS
TOGETHER, HONOUR CANADIANS, AND PROMOTE CANADA.
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PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR GENERAL TO CARRY OUT THE ROLE AND THESE RESPONSIBILITES WHICH ARE
ESSENTIAL TO OUR PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY AND OUR SYSTEM OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, AND WHICH ENRICH OUR LIFE AS AN INDEPENDENT
SOVEREIGN COUNTRY.
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IN THE LETTERS PATENT OF 1947, VIRTUALLY ALL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HEAD OF STATE, ALSO KNOWN AS ROYAL PREROGATIVES,
WERE DEVOLVED TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL.
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SINCE THE APPOINTMENT OF VINCENT MASSEY IN 1952, THE OFFICE HAS EVOLVED TO PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE
LIFE OF OUR COUNTRY AND HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE A CANADIAN INSTITUTION.
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IN HER INSTALLATION ADDRESS IN OCTOBER, 1999, GOVERNOR GENERAL ADRIENNE CLARKSON EXPRESSED TO CANADIANS HER UNDERSTANDING
OF THIS EVOLVING NATURE OF THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL, AND I QUOTE:
"Canada's institutions have never been static. They are organic - evolving and growing in ways that surprise and even
startle us. In a mere 30 years, between 1952 and 1982, we repatriated the Governor Generalship and our Constitution. We
adopted our flag, we formalized our understanding of Rights and we strengthened and expanded the bilingual nature of our
country."
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THE GOVERNOR GENERAL ALSO UNDERSCORED THAT TO BE RELEVANT AS GOVERNOR GENERAL WAS TO BE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO CANADIANS – TO
MEET THEM AND TO KNOW THEM – AND TO KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.
CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE
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AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CROWN IN CANADA, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE AS DE-FACTO HEAD OF STATE THAT
IS CENTRAL TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE.
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MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS ASPECT OF THE OFFICE WHICH INCLUDES THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT WITH A SPEECH
FROM THE THRONE, SWEARING-IN THE PRIME MINISTER, CABINET MINISTERS AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE, AND GIVING ROYAL ASSENT TO BILLS.
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THE CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE ALSO INCLUDES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO RECEIVE CREDENTIALS FROM FOREIGN AMBASSADORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS
BEFORE THEY ARE ABLE TO BEGIN THEIR FUNCTIONS IN CANADA, RECEIVING VISITING HEADS OF STATE ON BEHALF OF ALL CANADIANS,
AND REPRESENTING CANADA ON STATE VISITS ABROAD.
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AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CANADIAN FORCES, GOVERNORS GENERAL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS
OF OUR MILITARY AND IN PROVIDING MORAL SUPPORT AND COMFORT TO OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TIMES OF ACTIVE DUTY AND
LOSS.
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GOVERNOR GENERAL CLARKSON HAS VISITED OUR TROOPS IN KOSOVO AND BOSNIA AS WELL AS IN THE PERSIAN GULF LAST CHRISTMAS.
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SHE COMFORTED THE WOUNDED AND THE FAMILIES OF THE DECEASED SOLDIERS KILLED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN -- LAST YEAR
AND AGAIN IN THE LAST FEW DAYS -- AND SHE HAS PAID TRIBUTE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO OUR VETERANS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
IN BATTLE.
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AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED, GOVERNORS GENERAL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING CANADIANS
TOGETHER.
BRINGING CANADIANS TOGETHER
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IT IS THE ESTABLISHED CANADIAN TRADITION THAT GOVERNORS GENERAL MAKE AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO EVERY PROVINCE AND TERRITORY
SOON AFTER TAKING OFFICE. GOVERNOR GENERAL CLARKSON DID THIS IN HER FIRST YEAR.
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LET ME DESCRIBE A TYPICAL REGIONAL VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
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IN THE SPRING OF 2000, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL MADE HER FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO SASKATCHEWAN.
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OVER A SIX DAY PERIOD SHE:
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ADDRESSED THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE;
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MET WITH ABORIGINAL WORKERS AND WOMEN IN A SHELTER AND WITH LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT WANUSKEWIN HERITAGE PARK
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HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE BAILDON HUTTERITE COLONY AND WITH THE ASSEMBLÉE COMMUNAUTAIRE FRANSASKOISE IN
GRAVELBOURG;
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HELD AN OPEN MIKE DISCUSSION WITH STUDENTS AT ROBERT USHER COLLEGIATE IN REGINA ON THE ISSUE OF TOLERANCE;
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PRESENTED CARING CANADIAN AWARDS AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDALS TO LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS;
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HELD AN OPEN HOUSE IN SASKATOON WHERE SHE MET NEARLY 2000 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY;
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HELD A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH 15 YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE 4-H CLUB WHO LIVE AND WORK ON THEIR FAMILY FARMS IN BIGGAR;
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MET WITH THEIR PARENTS TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES OF MAINTAINING THEIR TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE ; AND
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SPOKE WITH SENIORS ABOUT THEIR PROGRAMS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING.
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AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE VARIETY OF EVENTS THAT MADE UP THIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL SEEKS TO REACH OUT AND ENGAGE
AS MANY CANADIANS AS POSSIBLE AND HAS CONTINUED OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF VISITS TO EVERY PROVINCE
AND TERRITORY.
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SHE HAS SPENT TIME WITH CANADIANS IN OVER 150 COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA.
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SHE HAS VISITED 35 REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN NINE VISITS TO THE NORTH, OFTEN GOING TO COMMUNITIES NEVER BEFORE VISITED BY
A GOVERNOR GENERAL.
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BY LISTENING TO CANADIANS WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK, AND BY SPEAKING ABOUT WHAT SHE HAS HEARD, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL BRINGS
US TOGETHER. SHE REMINDS US OF THE COMMON VALUES THAT UNITE US WHILE CELEBRATING OUR REGIONAL DIVERSITY AND CANADIAN IDENTITY.
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AS PART OF BRINGING THE OFFICE TO CANADIANS DURING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR, ORDER OF CANADA INVESTITURE
CEREMONIES, WERE HELD OUTSIDE OTTAWA IN QUEBEC CITY, VANCOUVER, WINNIPEG AND HALIFAX.
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GOVERNOR GENERAL CLARKSON HAS PRESIDED OVER CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES IN CALGARY, QUEBEC CITY AND OTTAWA TO HIGHLIGHT THE
IMPORTANCE OF OUR NEW CANADIANS AND TO WELCOME THEM AS CITIZENS.
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A VIGOROUS PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM, UNDER THE BANNER OF "WELCOME HOME TO RIDEAU HALL" HAS RESULTED IN ONE MILLION VISITORS
TO THIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
HONOURING CANADIANS
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LET ME NOW TURN TO THE AREA OF HONOURING CANADIANS.
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THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CENTRE OF RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN CANADA
THROUGH A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF HONOURS AND AWARDS.
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RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT CONTRIBUTES TO NATION-BUILDING BY PROMOTING NATIONAL PRIDE, CITIZENSHIP AND RESPECT.
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CANADA'S HONOURS PROGRAM INCLUDES AMONG OTHERS:
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THE ORDER OF CANADA WHICH HONOURS LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENT;
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THE BRAVERY AWARDS WHICH HONOUR ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO PERFORM ACTS OF EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE; AND
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THE CARING CANADIAN AWARD INITIATED BY FORMER GOVERNOR GENERAL ROMEO LEBLANC, WHICH HONOURS UNSUNG HEROES WHO ENRICH
THE LIVES OF THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH VOLUNTARY WORK
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UNTIL 1997 NO ALLOCATION HAD EVER BEEN PROVIDED FOR PROMOTING THE ORDER OF CANADA AND OTHER NATIONAL HONOURS DESPITE
THE FACT THAT 95% OF CANADIANS SURVEYED BELIEVE WE SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
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ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL HONOURS POLICY COMMITTEE, A PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN WAS UNDERTAKEN TO INCREASE
AWARENESS OF THE VARIOUS AWARDS AND ORDERS AND TO TARGET AREAS OF THE COUNTRY AND DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS THAT WERE UNDER-REPRESENTED
IN THE PUBLIC NOMINATIONS.
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AS A RESULT OF THIS CAMPAIGN, NOMINATIONS FOR THE ORDER OF CANADA ROSE TO OVER 1,000 PER YEAR, WERE SPREAD MORE EVENLY
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND CARING CANADIAN AWARD NOMINATIONS TRIPLED.
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AT THE SAME TIME, IN RECOGNITION OF CANADA'S GROWING POPULATION AND CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS, THE NUMBER OF INVESTITURES
WAS INCREASED FROM 3 TO 4 PER YEAR TO ACCOMMODATE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS INVESTED INTO THE ORDER EACH YEAR.
ADDITIONAL STAFF WERE REQUIRED TO RESEARCH THE NOMINATIONS AND ADMINISTER THE AWARDS.
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BUDGETS FOR THE HONOURS PROGRAM HAVE ALSO INCREASED TO RESPOND TO THE CREATION OF NEW MEDALS, INCLUDING THE ORDER OF
MERIT OF THE POLICE FORCES AND SOUTH-WEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL.
PROMOTING CANADA
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BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD GOVERNORS GENERAL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOWCASE CANADIAN EXCELLENCE AND CREATIVITY.
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BY OPENING RIDEAU HALL TO VISITORS YEAR-ROUND, BY OFFERING SPECIALIZED TOURS OF THE GROUNDS, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
AND MATERIALS ON THE HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION TO VISITING SCHOOL CHILDREN, BY DISPLAYING THE WORK OF CANADIAN ARTISTS
LENT BY INSITUTIONS FROM ACROSS CANADA, BY SERVING CANADIAN PRODUCTS, GOVERNOR GENERAL CLARKSON HAS SHARED HER PRIDE IN
THE WORK PRODUCED BY CANADIANS AND MADE EVERY ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO RIDEAU HALL MORE AWARE AND
KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE OFFICE, OUR HISTORY AND OUR COUNTRY.
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE OFFICE
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THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL – LIKE OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS -- HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO FUNCTION
IN A MODERN, EFFICIENT, AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE MANNER.
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TO THAT END ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED BY TREASURY BOARD MINISTERS AND APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT.
CONCLUSION
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I HAVE BEEN INVITED HERE TODAY TO ADDRESS THE PARTICULAR QUESTION RELATED TO THE ONE DOLLAR MAIN ESTIMATE REQUEST FOR
THIS YEAR.
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THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL PROVIDES PAYMENTS FOR OPERATING EXPENDITURES TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
PERFORMED BY FORMER GOVERNORS GENERAL AS A RESULT OF THEIR HAVING OCCUPIED THE OFFICE.
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THIS PROVISION IS AVAILABLE TO THE ESTATE OF A FORMER GOVERNOR GENERAL FOR SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING THEIR DEATH.
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THE ONE DOLLAR REQUEST IS BEING USED TO SEEK PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL FOR A ONE-TIME CHANGE TO OUR EXISTING SPENDING AUTHORITY.IN
THIS PARTICULAR CASE TO EXTEND PAYMENT FOR 6 MONTHS USING EXISTING FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE LEGACY ACTIVITIES OF FORMER GOVERNOR
GENERAL RAMON JOHN HNATYSHYN LEFT INCOMPLETE BY HIS UNTIMELY DEATH.
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I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON THESE OR ANY OTHER AREAS RELATED TO THE OFFICE.
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