Canadian Forces Liaison Council Recognition Luncheon

Friday, March 6, 2009

My wife, Mary and I are very pleased to serve as your hosts today for this celebration of some truly exceptional members of the Alberta business community.

I would certainly hope that all Canadians are supportive of the brave men and women who serve as Reservists with the Canadian Forces. But, among us, there are people who truly go the extra mile, who offer tremendous support to the reservists working in their organization or studying at their school.

The people receiving awards today understand that everyone benefits from the work of Canada's Reserve Force. Our country as a whole is stronger thanks to the service reservists offer as part of military activities both here at home and around the world. Meanwhile, organizations that employ reservists benefit from the very high quality training and experience that are unique to military service.

I'm fortunate to count a number of Reservists among my aides-de-camp, and so I know first hand just how challenging it is for them to juggle their reservist duties with work, continuing education activities and family obligations.

As Her Majesty the Queen's representative in Alberta, it's my pleasure to thank the people being honoured today for making that juggling act a little bit easier for our Reservists.

Thank you to Wendelin Fraser from the Bissett School of Business…

Glenn Mryglod from Delta Valve Canada…

David Watt from D.A. Watt Consulting…

Rob Witty from Wheatland and District Emergency Medical Services…

Richard Allen from U.P.A. Construction Group…

April Shand from E.C.L. Group…

Michael O'Brian accepting on behalf of St. Joseph's Collegiate…

And Diane Colley-Urquhart who is a member of the Council and is also here to accept an award on behalf of the City of Calgary.

Thank you to all award recipients for the care and support you have to offer Reservists and for the great spirit of citizenship you bring to everything you do.

As you may know, the kind of support that today's award recipients have shown for the Reserve Force is something that's on its way to becoming a law in our province.

As part of this year's Speech from the Throne, I had the pleasure of announcing that Bill One for the Legislative Assembly would be an Act to ensure that Alberta reservists who take leave to serve their country are able to make an easy transition back to their jobs and schools. I think this is something that Albertans have always done a good job of respecting but having the principle enshrined in law will make sure that Reservists are always protected, and it's also a way to let members of the Reserve Forces know just how much their service is valued by their fellow Albertans.

There are a number of people here today played a role in helping to get that Bill on the table. And so, thank you as well to everyone who played a role in that initiative and to all members of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council for your continued efforts on behalf of Canada's Reserve Force.

Thank you for joining us for this celebration and have a great afternoon.