It's a great honour to have been asked to deliver this year's Mary Donaldson Memorial Lecture. When Judith Silverthorne sent me copies of the speeches of my predecessors I must admit I had a moment of panic. Even the names on the list are daunting: among others.Adrienne Clarkson, Pierre Berton, Stephen Lewis, Mel Hurtig and the best teacher I ever had, Carlyle King, have spoken to you.