Manitoba Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

The Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M.

Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration

Remarks by

The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Government House

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

(please check against delivery)

Members of IPAC Manitoba and friends of a great contributor to the public good, welcome to Government House.

As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty One territory and in the heartland of the Red River Metis. I acknowledge as well that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Cree, Dakota, Dene, the Nehetho
(NE-HET-HO) Nation and the homeland of the Red River Métis and includes northern lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.

As Manitobans, we respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

Building a better future for Manitoba – a future of opportunity and equity for all – will require great leadership in all sectors of our province.

For almost 40 years, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration has recognized individuals for great dedication and stellar accomplishments in government and other public sector employment.

The men and women recognized with this award have served with integrity and thoroughness. They have inspired those around them to reach for the same high standard. They have listened and learned and applied creativity to address complex problems and assure effectiveness and efficiency in all areas of public service.

Manitobans count on their public sector to provide essential services and supports and to protect their lives and health. They need to know that governments and public bodies are overseen by dedicated professionals committed to the good of society.

They especially want to know that our education and health systems have excellent leadership.

And so I am pleased tonight to welcome Dr. Catherine Cook as this year’s recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration.

We will hear more shortly about Dr. Cook’s many accomplishments in her career at the University of Manitoba, most recently as the inaugural Vice President (Indigenous), and in Indigenous Health within the health-care system.

Every year, the advisory committee for this award considers nominations of outstanding individuals. And once again they have selected a recipient for this award whose career represents a lifetime of dedication to the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.

I would like to thank the committee overseeing this award, and the IPAC Manitoba for advancing the cause of leadership excellence in the public sector.

And I would like to congratulate Dr. Catherine Cook and offer thanks for a career dedicated to the highest good.

Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom