Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
GRACE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION GALA
Victoria Inn
Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
(please check against delivery)
Friends of health care, supporters of a vital institution, it’s a pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate a great Manitoban – and a hospital that touches tens of thousands of lives every year.
For me, it’s a special pleasure to join you for an event honouring citizenship and community-building on what is my first full day as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.
Here on Treaty One land, at the meeting of the Red and Assiniboine, in the traditional home of the Anishinaabe and the Metis and the home of the many peoples who now share this land, it’s imperative that we all work to build a community of healing, understanding and justice for all. Without a doubt, that is what tonight’s honoree has done for decades.
When I accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to serve as Lieutenant Governor, I knew one of the highlights of the position would be meeting extraordinary Manitobans.
And wouldn’t you know, the first extraordinary Manitoban I come across is one I’ve known for many years.
Like many of you, I’ve known Moe Zeid and his family for many years as a customer and friend through their grocery stores – especially the Lilac location.
And also for many years I’ve witnessed Moe’s dedication to community and his belief in human rights and dignity – in his work on Arab-Jewish dialogue and support for New Canadians.
So it’s no surprise to me that he is also a dedicated supporter of health care.
As Canadians, we see equal access to prevention, screening and treatment of illness as a right. We agree that we all deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness and equality.
We’re fortunate to benefit from the dedication and skill of health-care professionals and support staff at the Grace and throughout our health-care system. We’re fortunate that they put those values into action every day. We’re grateful that these remarkable individuals have stepped up over the last two and a half years under the most trying circumstances. They are all heroes.
By supporting those efforts, the Grace Hospital Foundation and its generous donors – including Moe Zaid – help our province and our nation to live up to their potential. Their generosity makes Manitoba and Canada more just, more fair and more capable of inspiring that “true patriot love” we sing about.
Congratulations Moe, and thank you to all who support the Grace Hospital Foundation in the crucial work they do for the benefit of all Manitobans.
Thank you, Merci, Meegwich.