A message from Her Honour
It is with profound gratitude that I present my End of Mandate Report to the people of Ontario. This report covers the primary themes, key moments, and chief accomplishments during my term as the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
It has been an unimaginable privilege to serve in this office for nine years. And what a momentous nine years it has been. When I reflect on the many changes we have seen since I first pledged to fulfil my vice-regal responsibilities, 2014 might belong to another era altogether. Our years together have been full.
Canada 150. An unprecedented pandemic. The Platinum Jubilee. The passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III. Increased recognition of, and commitment to, the work of reconciliation. Rapid technological change and the increased fragility of democracies around the world.
Ours is a time in which the pages of history turn swiftly.
Yet I truly believe that during the last nine years, we have seen the best of Ontario.
As the unofficial “Storyteller-in-Chief,” I have been humbled by the stories you have shared. Across the province and on the international stage, your achievements, perseverance, creativity, and compassion have demonstrated that the most remarkable times bring out the most remarkable spirit in all of us.
I hope that the stories and memories in this report inspire you, as much as they have done for me. Through moments great and small, joyful and challenging, you have made me feel justified in calling myself an eternal optimist.
Indeed, I can think of no higher privilege than to have played a role in encouraging Ontario to realize the best version of itself: a resilient, inclusive society committed to sustainability, the safeguarding of democracy, and reconciliation.
As our next chapter begins, may the stories we tell uphold our highest aspirations – and may those aspirations reflect our best selves.