Each of us has a role to play. For what it’s worth, I am not going away anytime soon either. In fact, I am more fired up than usual by a fierce determination that literacy, as the foundation skill, must and will prevail in this country. I have moved from earlier days of fighting for this cause on the basis of social justice or economic necessity, to a very stubborn insistence that literacy is a right and a responsibility of citizenship in this country for every individual wherever they live, whatever their age or circumstance.

I have talked, in every corner of Canada, in other countries as well, about the necessity of giving each and every individual a fair chance. A chance to fulfill their utmost potential. A chance to help others reach the same goals and the same dream. My friends, our country, our world, is far too precious a place to become somewhere where people simply cope. It must become a place where people have that fair chance to contribute and participate, and have a job and a decent wage to provide a vigorous future for themselves and their families.

This is not about special treatment. It is not about privilege. It is about glorying in acquiring knowledge that not only puts bread on the table, but entertains and comforts and enhances the soul.

I am telling you today, with all the heart and soul that I can muster, that however long or frustrating this journey will be, however rough the challenges, our spirits must not fail, because together, hand in hand, across this country, we will overcome and we will succeed. And this is one volunteer who’ll be marching along with all of you and all of those who will learn from this conference, every step of the way. Thank you very much for inviting me. Thank you for being here. And thank you to all of you who are helping to provide that fair chance.