Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson

Here’s an excellent article in The Varsity (the University of Toronto’s student newspaper) about former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her thoughts on — among other things — citizenship.

Snippet:

“Citizenship is a subject Clarkson is well-acquainted with, having come to Canada as a refugee from Hong Kong at the age of three, as well as in her work as Governor General.

“‘Well, I founded the Institute for Canadian Citizenship … so when they approached me to do the talks, citizenship was the word that really got me,’ she explained.

“In Belonging, she writes, ‘It is worth noting that the motto of the Order of Canada is “to desire a better country.” This motto indicates, with typical Canadian understatement, that the country is not a wonderful basket of goodies to which we and others contribute and draw interest from. Instead, it assumes that as citizens we are proud of our country and therefore we will help make it better.'”

Read the full story here.