Opinion leaders endorse Canada's university

Adrienne Clarkson
The University of Ottawa was a linchpin for me for a lot of things: the languages of our country, the attachment to the wilderness...I was only five when my father graduated from the University...A lot has happened in the nearly sixty years since my first contact with the University of Ottawa. It has become a very important place in Canadian higher education; it is the one place where a truly bilingual university education can be had; and it fulfils a very central role in the capital city of this country. Perhaps the Oblates of Mary Immaculate did not really foresee the kind of institution this would become. But had they, I'm sure they would have been proud of it.
– Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, on receiving an honorary doctorate from the University, November 2, 2003

Herb Gray
As a great bilingual university, the University of Ottawa has been concerned with helping strengthen the francophone linguistic and cultural base, in places like my home city of Windsor, and all of Ontario. (Also, it has been a source of higher education for students from the western part of the province of Québec)... The University is here, in Canada's capital, just a few blocks away from Canada's seat of government the Parliament Buildings. Therefore, it has always had, as a special vocation, the education of people who would go on to devote much of their lives to careers of both elected and non-elected public service... C'est évident que l'Université d'Ottawa est un trait d'union – a vital link in the fabric that makes Canada one of the greatest countries in the world."
– The Right Honourable Herb Gray, PC, Canadian chair of the International Joint Commission, on receiving an honorary doctorate from the University, November 2, 2003

Paul Tellier
I want to thank the University of Ottawa, Canada's University, for giving me early in my life a Canadian perspective. Too few Canadians fully appreciate what a truly dynamic country Canada is. My five years here enabled me to become really familiar with our national political institutions.
– President and CEO, Bombardier Inc., Paul Tellier on receiving the Meritas Tabaret Award from the University of Ottawa, October 28, 2003

Hilary Weston
When I hosted an event for University of Ottawa during my term as Lieutenant Governor, to commemorate its 150th Anniversary, I was aware of several interesting things about ‘Canada's university’. I knew that the University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual university in North America, that it plays a key role in the promotion of women, and that many of its outstanding alumni have played important roles in Canada's economic and social development . . . 
– Community leader and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hilary Weston, on receiving a Distinguished Canadian Leadership Award from the University of Ottawa, October 28, 2003
 

Stephen Jarislowsky
Our choice fell on the University of Ottawa, located at the capital of the nation in a town where bureaucracy is headquartered and politicians converge. We were also attracted by its bilingual, bi-cultural operations. . . As such, [it] could reach out to all of Canada in the two official languages. Its backyard can be its laboratory. It does not have far to go to preach its findings and study application thereof. . . Finally, we found a ready positive response to our idea, which we believe is also shared by the Ottawa Civil Service. So, the great bilingual University of Ottawa – Canada's university – is the choice. . .  
– Fund manager Stephen Jarislowsky explaining why the University of Ottawa was chosen for the establishment of the Chair in Public Sector Management, September 23, 2003

John Sexton
It is an honor for me to be asked to visit one of North America’s great centers of research and learning – Canada's unversity –, a university which (like NYU) embraces its location as part of its essence and celebrates conversations across culture and traditional boundaries.

– New York University president, Dr. John Sexton, as part of the Canada Post Lecture, at the University of Ottawa, September 9, 2003

Robert Prichard
We cannot imagine France without the Sorbonne, England without LSE, Japan without the University of Tokyo, China without Peking University, Mexico without UNAM, Israel without the Hebrew University, or Italy without the University of Rome. Each of these great universities is located in the capital city but each helps to define its nation.

The University of Ottawa has this same glorious opportunity for Canada: to be a project of national concern and pride; to strengthen and enrich our national identity and capacity; to offer its students extraordinary learning opportunities; and to inspire our capital and its people to explore the full promise of Canada's contribution to the world community. As our governments shape Ottawa's physical identity and build wonderful new institutions to display our national history and accomplishments, they should also ensure that the University of Ottawa is supported and celebrated as one of Canada's most significant jewels. To ensure that the University of Ottawa is celebrated as Canada's university.