The Citadelle, Quebec, Saturday, October 3, 2015

Welcome all of you to this fall celebration!

The Citadelle is one of the wonders of this city and indeed of this country.

History comes to life here, and I’m so pleased that so many of you are here to discover the Citadelle’s hidden treasures.

This has been an official residence of governors general since 1872. The storied Royal 22e Régiment is based here and so is the wonderful museum that tells their story and that of this city. And the Canadian artworks on display and the view of the St. Lawrence are nothing short of spectacular.

This is all part of your heritage, which is why we ensure it’s open and accessible to visitors throughout the year, not just today.

Sharon and I are always so glad to spend time in this beautiful city. And I’m looking forward to taking part in some very special events over the next few days.

We’ll be recognizing the exceptional achievements of hundreds of Canadians in three separate honours ceremonies.

We’ll be celebrating excellence in policing, military service, volunteerism, bravery and polar achievement.

We’ll be celebrating some of our most caring, generous Canadians.

Here at the Citadelle, we bring people of diverse backgrounds together. It’s so important that we take the time to recognize excellence and generosity in its many forms through the Canadian Honours System, which you can learn more about during your visit today.

I’m also proud to serve as commander-in-chief of Canada, and this visit is an opportunity to thank the women and men who serve our country with such dedication and professionalism.

I encourage you to say hello to some of our men and women in uniform and to learn more at the kiosks they’ve set up here today.

Thank you for taking the time to attend our fall celebration at the Citadelle. We’re delighted to see you here and look forward to meeting you.

Have a wonderful visit!