The Governor General to Undertake State Visits to Senegal, to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Rwanda and an Official Visit to Cape Verde   OTTAWA — At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will undertake State visits to:  the Republic of Senegal, from April 14 to 17; to the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), from April 18 to 20; and to the Republic of Rwanda, on … [Read more...]

The Governor General to Undertake State Visits to Senegal, to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Rwanda and an Official Visit to Cape Verde   OTTAWA — At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will undertake State visits to the Republic of Senegal, from April 14 to 17; to the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), from April 18 to 20; and to the Republic of Rwanda, on April 21 … [Read more...]

Governor General Opened the International Symposium OTTAWA—Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, delivered today remarks at the opening session of the International Symposium  “Haiti Today, Haiti Tomorrow: Contrasting Perspectives”  at the University of Ottawa   “Haiti Today, Haiti Tomorrow: Contrasting Perspectives”,  which was presided over by Mr. Allan Rock, President of the University of Ottawa. Organized by the School of International Development … [Read more...]

OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will receive a bouquet of daffodils from two young cancer patients to mark the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month. The bouquet presentation will take place on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 10 a.m., at Rideau Hall.  The daffodil is the Canadian Cancer Society’s symbol of hope in the fight against cancer.  During Daffodil Month, thousands of volunteers will raise funds in the hope of eliminating cancer. … [Read more...]

March 26, 2010 Their Excellencies Celebrate ... Visual and Media Arts   OTTAWA— Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will host : 11th Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 6 p.m., at Rideau Hall.  The evening before the event, Mr. Lafond will participate in a public Art Matters forum on:  Tuesday March 30, 2010, at 7 p.m., at the Canada Council Art Bank, in Ottawa.  The … [Read more...]

March 22, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick OTTAWA — It was with great sadness that my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned that the war in Afghanistan had claimed a new victim from among the ranks of our valorous and courageous soldiers. Corporal Darren James Fitzpatrick was on patrol west of Kandahar when he was wounded by an anti-personnel mine … [Read more...]

 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 21, 2010   Canada’s history has been shaped by the fruitful encounters of different civilizations and peoples. From these dynamic encounters sprang a unique culture and history, in which diversity became the very essence of the Canadian people, something we proudly celebrate. Yet this co-existence did not happen overnight. We had to learn to live together, to overcome obstacles—and it was not easy. We discovered that it … [Read more...]

Governor General announces the awarding of 19 Medals of Bravery March 18, 2010 OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, announced today the awarding of 19 Medals of Bravery. The recipients will be invited to receive their decorations at a ceremony to be held at a later date. The Bravery Decorations were created in 1972, to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes … [Read more...]

March 12, 2010 Governor General to open the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games OTTAWA—Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will be in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 12, 2010, to open the X Paralympic Winter Games. The Governor General will take great pride in attending the Opening Ceremony and declaring the Paralympic Games open: “The spotlight is now on the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games, which will keep burning the flame that has been lit in our hearts … [Read more...]

March 10, 2010 Governor General Meets with the President of the Dominican Republic  OTTAWA—Upon their arrival in the Dominican Republic, Their Excellencies Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond met with the country’s president, Mr. Leonel Fernandez.  The meeting, held at the Presidential Palace, focused on the relationship between Canada and the Dominican Republic, as well as on the efforts Dominicans have made since the earthquake in Haiti.  In addition to … [Read more...]

  International Women's Day March 8, 2010   Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of International Women’s Day   March 5 , 2010 OTTAWA—Whenever I have travelled in Canada and abroad, I have had the good fortune of meeting with remarkable girls and women, from all walks of life. Their commitment and determination only strengthen my conviction that women play a key role in bringing about living conditions that are fairer, … [Read more...]

 March 1, 2010   Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the Closing of the XXI Olympic Winter Games   OTTAWA—The XXI Olympic Winter Games have ended in a blaze of glory for Canadians! We are exhilarated and united in pride! What a magical moment! While the lights are going down on these unforgettable Vancouver Olympiads, the flame will continue to light up our faces and burn in our hearts for a long time. Athletes … [Read more...]

Death of John Babcock Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of John Babcock, the last known surviving Veteran to serve Canada in the First World War. OTTAWA — It is with a deep sense of loss that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the passing of John Babcock, the man whom Canadians had come to know as the last surviving soldier from World War I. He always gave the best of himself, right … [Read more...]