To map the Governor General's Award is to map both the past and the future of Canadian literature, and to be nominated for my first book is wonderful.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Growing up in Waterloo, the Governor General's Award wasn't something I even thought to wish for.
What a thrill it is to have my writing recognized by an institution as admirable and vital as the National Endowment for the Arts.
I hate to tell you this, but I did not know what the National Book Award was when I got the call.
If I am to be known for anything, I would like it to be for encouraging Canadians, for knowing a little bit about their daily, extraordinary courage. And for wanting that courage to be recognized.
My legacy as governor was UConn and the cities. This is my passion. When I was governor, I would call Waterbury the center of the universe.
Well, I have a CBE and I accepted it with glee because it's not bestowed on you by the royal family, it's not bestowed on you by the government, you have to be nominated by the public.
My sense is, as governor I've gotten a lot of stuff done.
The voters reward good performance. So, I'm going to go out and focus, if I become the governor, to do the very best job I can as governor. The rest of it will take care of itself.
It's important for whoever is governor to be somebody with a breadth of experience in life, in business, and in service.
I was very surprised when I heard that I had been chosen to receive the James Cardinal Gibbons Award.