Honourable Landon Pearson, most distinguished participants in this evening’s festivities - Good evening. How marvelously ironic it is that despite varied career paths, and after all of these years, we again find ourselves together, old colleagues and friends, to celebrate the wondrousness of being human.

We live in times which more often than not highlight life’s negatives so it is most refreshing to be at a gathering whose purpose is to recognize a person who goes against that negative grain, forcing us to see that it is possible to make a positive difference.

The image I have chosen to represent Honourable Landon Pearson’s contribution to your collective effort is one which has a special meaning for me. It is a rendering which has strong contrasts because I do not believe that the world loves its children as much as it says it does. And that means that the world is not as safe for children as it should be. And yet, it would be wrong if we made the world so safe that there was no room for adventure and mystery and discovery.

When I am asked to create an award, be it in bronze, pencil, paint or electronic media, I always begin the process by writing down thoughts which describe for me the meaning of the award to be rendered. The thoughts which guided my image creation this time are the following:

Freeing children to be themselves means creating an environment in which they can express their awe and wonder at the simplest of things. This, despite our adult anxieties, is the most precious gift we can offer children. When children feel loved and safe and secure they plunge into their lives fully and eagerly, and without hesitation embrace the process of becoming comfortable adult beings who, in turn, are blessed with a fervent wish to nurture their own children.

I would hope that this image and its interpretation meet with your expectations.

Thank you.

Bernard A. Poulin, cipa