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Clarkson bids farewell in Ottawa ceremony
CTV.ca News Staff
Outgoing Governor General Adrienne Clarkson began her last full day as the Queen's representative by reminding Canadians the institution is essential to the country's system of government.
"Although I truly appreciate this and I feel your personal warmth towards me, I want to say that it is the institution which I happen to inhabit at the moment until tomorrow -- it's the institution that is most important," she said during a farewell ceremony on Parliament Hill.
Clarkson described the role of a governor general as an "instrument of witness" to democracy. And she said that role follows the office as it changes hands.
She added that democracy depends on the understanding of "our institutions and our being able to say that we know what these institutions are and for us to have confidence in them.
"In our system, we are not talking about empty trappings," she said speaking at a ceremony in the Hall of Honour. "We are talking about history."
Clarkson called on politicians and public servants to help Canadians understand the system better.
"There's much confusion and because people do not often understand what we are doing in this marvellous country of ours."
After six years, Clarkson's reign as governor general will end. She will be replaced by Michaelle Jean, who will be installed Tuesday morning.
Prime Minister Paul Martin praised Clarkson's contribution to Canada. He thanked her for her dedication to the country's military forces and presented her with the vice-regal flag that has flown over Parliament when the governor general is present.
"I just want to say, on behalf of the Canadian people who also have a great affection for the role that our men and women in uniform play, I want to say to you for that and thank you for everything else," Martin said.
He also said that he was grateful that Clarkson took on an extra year in office when the minority Liberal government came to office.
"You took us through that very difficult period," Martin said referring to last spring when the Liberals came close to being defeated.
Senate Speaker Daniel Hays called Clarkson one of the best governors general in the history of Canada.
Clarkson's final day as Governor General comes as the The Globe and Mail reports that Ottawa is set to announce the creation a multimillion-dollar endowment in her honour.
The Globe says that the endowment, to be named the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, will be up to $10 million and will serve to educate new Canadians on issues relating to citizenship.
It will include $3 million in start-up funds, followed by $7 million over the next 10 years.
A government said Clarkson was closely involved in developing the goal of the institute which is to help new Canadians understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
However, the official would not provide further details regarding the institute.
It's not the first time an endowment has been made to honour an outgoing governor general.
In 1965, the Vanier Institute for the Family was established to honour Georges Vanier. It spends close to $1 million each year to raise public-awareness that will ensure families are "centrally important to the life of Canadian society."
In 1990, Jeanne Sauvé created the Sauve Youth Foundation, which is dedicated to "developing the leadership potential" of young people.
And in the late 1990s, Ray Hnatyshyn formed a charity called the Hnatyshyn Foundation for the Arts. In 2004, it gave five teenaged artists $10,000 each to pursue studies in music, dance and drama.
CTV.ca News Staff
Outgoing Governor General Adrienne Clarkson began her last full day as the Queen's representative by reminding Canadians the institution is essential to the country's system of government.
"Although I truly appreciate this and I feel your personal warmth towards me, I want to say that it is the institution which I happen to inhabit at the moment until tomorrow -- it's the institution that is most important," she said during a farewell ceremony on Parliament Hill.
Clarkson described the role of a governor general as an "instrument of witness" to democracy. And she said that role follows the office as it changes hands.
She added that democracy depends on the understanding of "our institutions and our being able to say that we know what these institutions are and for us to have confidence in them.
"In our system, we are not talking about empty trappings," she said speaking at a ceremony in the Hall of Honour. "We are talking about history."
Clarkson called on politicians and public servants to help Canadians understand the system better.
"There's much confusion and because people do not often understand what we are doing in this marvellous country of ours."
After six years, Clarkson's reign as governor general will end. She will be replaced by Michaelle Jean, who will be installed Tuesday morning.
Prime Minister Paul Martin praised Clarkson's contribution to Canada. He thanked her for her dedication to the country's military forces and presented her with the vice-regal flag that has flown over Parliament when the governor general is present.
"I just want to say, on behalf of the Canadian people who also have a great affection for the role that our men and women in uniform play, I want to say to you for that and thank you for everything else," Martin said.
He also said that he was grateful that Clarkson took on an extra year in office when the minority Liberal government came to office.
"You took us through that very difficult period," Martin said referring to last spring when the Liberals came close to being defeated.
Senate Speaker Daniel Hays called Clarkson one of the best governors general in the history of Canada.
Clarkson's final day as Governor General comes as the The Globe and Mail reports that Ottawa is set to announce the creation a multimillion-dollar endowment in her honour.
The Globe says that the endowment, to be named the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, will be up to $10 million and will serve to educate new Canadians on issues relating to citizenship.
It will include $3 million in start-up funds, followed by $7 million over the next 10 years.
A government said Clarkson was closely involved in developing the goal of the institute which is to help new Canadians understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
However, the official would not provide further details regarding the institute.
It's not the first time an endowment has been made to honour an outgoing governor general.
In 1965, the Vanier Institute for the Family was established to honour Georges Vanier. It spends close to $1 million each year to raise public-awareness that will ensure families are "centrally important to the life of Canadian society."
In 1990, Jeanne Sauvé created the Sauve Youth Foundation, which is dedicated to "developing the leadership potential" of young people.
And in the late 1990s, Ray Hnatyshyn formed a charity called the Hnatyshyn Foundation for the Arts. In 2004, it gave five teenaged artists $10,000 each to pursue studies in music, dance and drama.
She was sometimes controversial, but upon reflection I think I like the old bat. I only hope I can say the same when the 27th's time comes to a close.
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