August 27 to September 1, 2024
At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada traveled to Paris, France, from August 27 to September 1, 2024, to attend the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
During her visit, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, met with Team Canada athletes, cheered them on as they competed in their respective sports and celebrated the achievements of our paralympic champions.
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General also honoured and remembered those who served and lost their lives in the First World War by visiting the two largest Canadian First World War Memorials in France: the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.
August 28, 2024
In the morning, Her Excellency met with embassy staff to thank them for their support in the coming days.
Prior to the Opening Ceremony, the Governor General represented Canada at a heads of State and government reception hosted by His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Photo Credit: Dave Holland/Canadian Paralympic Committee
Photo Credit: Angela Burger/Canadian Paralympic Committee
Photo Credit: Angela Burger/Canadian Paralympic Committee
August 29, 2024
The Governor General visited the Athlete Village and had the opportunity to interact with Team Canada’s paralympic athletes. She also signed the Paralympic Mural that celebrates the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
Throughout the day, the Governor General attended sporting events at different venues including the wheelchair rugby game and the women’s para cycling track event.
In the evening, the Governor General met with Her Excellency the Honourable Ms. Sam Mostyn AC, who was sworn in as Australia’s 28th governor general on July 1, 2024.
August 30, 2024
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General honoured the service and sacrifice of Canadians who served and lost their lives in the First World War by visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial to see the tunnels, trenches and Visitor Education Centre, accompanied by Canadian student guides. She also took time to lay a commemorative wreath in front of the Memorial.
In the afternoon, the Governor General toured and laid a commemorative wreath at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial to honour the sacrifice of the 591 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 114 sailors of the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and 115 merchant mariners who fought at Beaumont-Hamel during the Battle of the Somme, which took place from July 1 to November 18, 1916.
More than a century later, on July 1, 2024, the Governor General participated in a special ceremony in St. John’s marking 100 years since the Newfoundland National War Memorial was built. During this ceremony, the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier were placed in a special tomb to represent all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with no known graves.
The Governor General’s visit to Beaumont-Hamel in France serves as an important symbol of closure and a lasting tribute to all the service members who have no known final resting place.
August 31, 2024
The Governor General took part in a Canadian honours ceremony to thank individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada and who have inspired others to help build a better country. Her Excellency invested one Officer and one Member into the Order of Canada and presented four exemplary individuals with Meritorious Service Medals.
List of honourees who attended the presentation
In the evening, the Governor General delivered short remarks at a celebration with Paralympic athletes and their families and friends to thank and acknowledge them for their tremendous contributions to Canada and to the Paralympic Games.
You have broken down barriers. You have challenged perceptions. You have been actively involved in your communities back at home, raising funds and speaking in schools to promote health and diversity. And here you are today, facing off against the best athletes in the world. Many of you have achieved rare feats—and broken world records—in your sport. You have shown that everyone can aspire to sporting excellence, and inspire Canada.
