Freedom of the City ceremony (May 31, 2015) - Kingston, Ontario
Correctional Service Canada was granted "Freedom of the City" by the City of Kingston, Ontario on May 31, 2015.
Transcript of the video
Intro voiceover: Every now and then a moment arises when those who toil anonymously in the shadows are suddenly singled out.
The clouds part. A ray of light breaks through the shadows.
For a moment, if only briefly, their actions, their dedication, their quiet, unassuming acts of heroism are illuminated.
They are recognized. They are applauded.
They are given the highest honour that a city can bestow upon its citizens.
Freedom.
Freedom. Freedom of the City.
Commissioner: There are 19,000 staff across the country who come to work to make a difference. And each one of those members authors a good news story.
I'm Don Head, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada here to request Freedom of the City in recognition of 180 years of correctional services in this city of Kingston your worship.
Mayor: The Freedom of the City is one of the highest honours that a city can bestow on a group or organization and it is done to symbolize the trust and the relationship that a particular organization has with the city. And so it is a great pleasure here today to bestow Freedom of the City to the Correctional Service of Canada in recognition of the vital and appreciated role that your institutions and all correctional staff play in our community on a daily basis.
Commissioner: I want to thank you for the work that you do today. I want to thank you for the work you are going to do tomorrow. And I want to thank those who have gone before us for the work that they have done.
We've had 34 members in our service across the country over that 180 years who have made the ultimate sacrifice, who have lost their lives in the line of duty. So today is even more special in recognizing their contribution and their sacrifice.
Towncryer: Oyez, oyez, oyez. Kingston city council proclaims that June 1st be forever known as Correctional Service of Canada appreciation day in the city of Kingston. Here ends this proclamation. God bless a united Canada. God save the Queen.
Commissioner: Correctional Service of Canada, attention.
Every man, every woman who goes to work in one of our federal institutions in our parole offices, in our community correctional centres or in our headquarters, comes to work to make a difference by changing lives and protecting Canadians.