By Shirley Bond

Minister of Justice and Attorney General

PRINCE GEORGE - Each fall, my ministry hosts an awards ceremony honouring dozens of police officers who've gone beyond the call of duty - in many cases, to save the lives of people in peril.

Cops for Cancer similarly reflects an incredible spirit of public service and courage. It's a spirit that lies behind the badge and in the big hearts of officers serving right across the North.

Cancer is no less life-threatening than the circumstances many officers encounter in their front-line work. Their commitment to helping families cope and conquer cancer merits our generous support as well as our admiration and thanks.

September 14 marks the kick-off of the 25-person Tour de North team's journey through 850 kilometres of rugged terrain from Prince George to Prince Rupert, travelling through the communities of Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, Moricetown, Hazelton, Terrace along the way.

Since the first Cops for Cancer event in the northern region in 2001, the Canadian Cancer Society has received more than $1.4 million towards pediatric cancer, with $257,000 raised in 2011 alone, from donations, sponsorships and generous support from communities all over the north region.

As a proud northerner, I know well that we are up to the task. Generosity toward our neighbours, particularly in times of difficulty, defines us. And there are indications the generosity of our communities is only growing.

In August, two Burns Lake officers, Const. Karla and Cpl. Chris Ivany, organized a fundraiser that saw 24 local citizens placed in a mock jail, with the community called upon to raise their "bail." This light-hearted benefit, complemented by a barbecue and a garage sale, raised $16,300 for the Tour de North. Similar events were held throughout the summer in Smithers, Dawson Creek and Prince Rupert. Including events and individual donations in Vanderhoof, Prince George, Terrace and Houston, northern communities have raised over $90,000 to date and the support keeps coming. All in all, this is a great showing that does both our northern communities and our RCMP detachments proud.

I want to thank all the riders, past and present, for their selfless and spirited efforts to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, for support programs for affected children and families, and for Camp Goodtimes, which continues to give children with cancer a place to just be kids, at no cost to their families.

This year's riders hail not only from many of the communities noted above, but also from Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Mackenzie, New Hazelton, Quesnel and Williams Lake. I hope you'll join me in cheering on this year's riders and, through your donations, continue to reaffirm the generosity that is a big part of the big heart of the North.