Speech delivered by Kyle Bard, Senior Account Executive, Group Benefits, Great-West Life at the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

March 31, 2009 - Windsor

Thank you. My name is Kyle Bard, and I’m a Senior Account Executive for Group Benefits with Great-West Life. It’s my pleasure to be with all of you for this induction ceremony.

If you’re in business – whether manufacturing or another type of enterprise – you can applaud the vision, ingenuity and determination of Canada’s manufacturers. Tonight we’re honouring individuals and companies for their significant contributions to the economic, political, educational and technological development of the Canadian manufacturing industry. The benefits in helping Canadians lead more prosperous, productive and ultimately more fulfilling lives are vast.

Great-West Life, London Life, and Canada Life are proud to sponsor a new annual award recognizing one of the essential ways in which Canadian manufacturers contribute to stronger communities. The Essence of Philanthropy award honours a Canadian manufacturing company that has demonstrated a long-term engagement in philanthropic activities at the regional, provincial, national and/or global level. In an increasingly challenging society and economy, it’s becoming even more critical to respond with effective and ongoing strategies to address the complex issues emerging within our communities and across our nation.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life understand that commitment to community. Our sponsorship of this award comes through The Key to Giving™, our national corporate citizenship program, through which we contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country, and proudly support the volunteer involvement of our staff and financial security advisors.

Right here in Windsor, our award recipient is clearly acting upon its own model of corporate citizenship, one benefiting hundreds of charitable and non-profit organizations. I’m very honoured to announce that Valiant Machine & Tool is the recipient of the inaugural Essence of Philanthropy award.