Regina, Wednesday, May 10, 2006

My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I would like to thank the lieutenant governor, the Honourable Linda Haverstock, for hosting this luncheon in our honour.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the incredible work you have accomplished as lieutenant governor.

I am particularly impressed by your endeavours in the fields of the arts, education and youth, and your efforts to reach out to our veterans and members of the Canadian Forces. And I commend you wholeheartedly for making unprecedented connections with First Nations and Métis communities.

I would also like to thank you, Your Honour, for presenting Jean-Daniel and me with the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal at the beginning of our visit.

In our first visit to Saskatchewan, we have learned so much about your province and the people who make it their home.

As I travel from coast to coast to coast, I will carry with me the stories of the extraordinary individuals I have met here in Saskatchewan: veterans and war brides, Treaty 4 First Nation and Métis, schoolchildren of the Qu’Appelle Valley, citizens dedicated to the revitalization of North Central Regina, and the talented youth of NightWind Theatre and Street Culture Project.

It has been an extremely powerful, moving experience meeting with the men and women, youth and children of Saskatchewan.

We have learned a great deal from your spirit of fellowship and openness. There are wonderful things taking place here that inspire hope.

Thanks to you, Your Honour, before I leave at the end of the day, I will meet with women chiefs and elders from across the province to discuss leadership.

I will then visit the RCMP Academy, “Depot” Division—one of the finest police training centres in the world—and an institution of which all Canadians are proud.

Meanwhile, Jean-Daniel is looking forward to engaging filmmakers and producers in a discussion about civic engagement and to visiting your Sound Stage.

As governor general, I will continue to build a dialogue across Canada, where each of us can share our mutual concerns and aspirations.

We thank you for extending such a warm welcome to us. I hope that our collaboration in the coming years will prove fruitful.