March 16, 2018
The Governor General to Undertake an
Official Visit to British Columbia
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will visit Victoria and Vancouver as part of her first official visit to British Columbia from March 20 to 22, 2018.
During this visit, Her Excellency will have the opportunity to meet with provincial officials including the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier; as well as with community members from across the province. As commander-in-chief, Her Excellency will meet with members of the Royal Canadian Navy. In addition, the Governor General will recognize remarkable Canadians with honours.
Below is Her Excellency’s detailed itinerary. Times are indicated in local time: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-08:00).
Victoria, British Columbia
Tuesday, March 20
11 a.m.
Meeting with the Lieutenant Governor
Upon her arrival in the province, the Governor General will proceed to Government House where she will be greeted by Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Her Excellency will sign the guest book before meeting with Her Honour.
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
OPEN TO MEDIA—Arrival at Government House, signing of guest book and beginning of meeting.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Rilkoff, 250-356-9499, rachel.rilkoff@gov.bc.ca
2 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
The Governor General will be officially welcomed to the province by the Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia. The ceremony will start with a traditional welcome from local First Nations. Her Excellency will then receive military honours, including a guard of honour comprised of 100 members from Maritime Forces Pacific and Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, the “Viceregal Salute” and a 21-gun salute fired by 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. After the ceremony, Her Excellency will sign the British Columbia’s distinguished visitors’ book in the Lower Rotunda.
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 614 Government Street, Victoria
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Emerson, 250-812-8768, kim.emerson@gov.bc.ca
2:30 p.m.
Meeting with the Premier of British Columbia
Her Excellency will meet with the Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia.
Premier’s Office, Legislative Assembly, 501 Belleville Street, Victoria
PHOTO OP—At the beginning of the meeting
MEDIA CONTACT: Sheena McConnell, 250-387-1688, Sheena.McConnell@gov.bc.ca
5:30 p.m.
Official Reception Hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier
The Lieutenant Governor and the Premier of British Columbia will host a reception in honour of Her Excellency’s official visit. This reception will provide an opportunity for Her Excellency to meet and speak with British Columbians who have contributed to their communities and with key leaders from the province. The Governor General, the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier will deliver remarks at the reception.
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
OPEN TO MEDIA—During the speeches only
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Rilkoff, 250-356-9499, rachel.rilkoff@gov.bc.ca
Esquimalt, British Columbia
Wednesday, March 21
9 a.m.
Meet with members of the Royal Canadian Navy
The Governor General will board the Canadian patrol frigate HMCS Regina to meet with and extend her support to members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). During this visit, Her Excellency will receive an overview of operations and witness demonstrations. Later, Her Excellency will board the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi, which is returning from a deployment in the Asia Pacific region. HMCS Regina and HMCS Chicoutimi belong to the Pacific fleet of the RCN and are based out of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt (CFB Esquimalt).
CFB Esquimalt is the second largest military base in Canada and home to one of the country’s three naval formations. Located just west of Victoria, B.C., in Esquimalt, CFB Esquimalt was first established as a military installation by the Royal Navy in 1855, and has served the Royal Canadian Navy since its inception in 1910. For more information, visit www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca.
Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard, Esquimalt (main entrance at the end of Esquimalt Road)
OPEN TO MEDIA—Media are invited to attend the portion of the program at sea with HMCS Regina. Media will be pre-positioned on the ship and are therefore asked to arrive at the Dockyard Main Gate with photo ID no later than 7:20 a.m. to be escorted on to the base.
MEDIA CONTACT: Navy Public Affairs, 250-363-5789, esqpacificnavypublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca
Victoria, British Columbia
Wednesday, March 21
1:50 p.m.
Presentation of Honours
Her Excellency will recognize excellence, courage and exceptional dedication to service by presenting honours to close to 45 remarkable Canadians. The list of recipients, their citations and additional information will be published in a separate media advisory.
The Governor General presents honours on behalf of all Canadians in communities across the country to help share inspiring stories, to celebrate tremendous contributions to our society and to connect with Canadians. From community volunteers to scientists, from actors to members of the military, from scholars to everyday citizens, Canadians earn our applause and gratitude. For more information about honours or to nominate someone who inspires you, visit www.gg.ca/honours.
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
OPEN TO MEDIA
Vancouver, British Columbia
Thursday, March 22
9:15 a.m.
Visit to TRIUMF Campus
The Governor General will have an opportunity to tour the TRIUMF campus and meet with staff. At the end of the visit, Her Excellency will deliver brief remarks.
TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre. From the hunt for the smallest particles in the universe to the development of new technologies, including next generation batteries and medical isotopes, TRIUMF is pushing the frontiers in research to advance science, medicine and business. For more information, visit www.triumf.ca.
TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver
OPEN TO MEDIA—Media are asked to confirm their attendance no later than 7 a.m. on March 22, 2018, and should arrive by 8:30 a.m. with photo ID and credentials. As TRIUMF is a working particle accelerator laboratory, there are some safety considerations to be aware of when on-site.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Lambert, 604-222-7356, lisa@triumf.ca
11:20 a.m.
Keynote Address at Canadian Club of Vancouver
Her Excellency will deliver a keynote address at a luncheon in honour of Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia recipients hosted by the Canadian Club of Vancouver.
The Canadian Club of Vancouver works to promote Canadian identity and history, and fosters patriotic sentiment in a highly diverse population. It also honours talent in the arts, sciences, business and public affairs through various initiatives and events held during the year. For more information, visit www.canadianclubvancouver.com.
Terminal City Club, 837 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
OPEN TO MEDIA—During the speeches only
MEDIA CONTACT: Carolina Miranda, 604-305-0402, admin@canadianclubvancouver.com
-30-
Media information:
Josephine Laframboise
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-990-9324
613-668-1929 (cell)
josephine.laframboise@gg.ca
Follow GGJuliePayette and RideauHall on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.