October 11, 2022
OTTAWA, Ontario—At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will undertake a working visit to Iceland, from October 12 to 15, 2022, on the occasion of the Arctic Circle Assembly.
Her Excellency’s participation in the Arctic Circle Assembly will serve to demonstrate Canadian leadership in the Arctic, and reinforce other priority issues for Canada in the north, including climate change, reconciliation, gender equality and youth engagement. This visit will take place as Canada and Iceland mark 75 years of bilateral relations, and will provide an opportunity to reinforce strong ties between Canada and Iceland.
The Governor General will be a keynote speaker at the opening session of this year’s ACA, as well as a panellist in a plenary session entitled Gender Equality and Diversity in Arctic Leadership.
Itinerary
Times are indicated in local time (GMT).
Wednesday, October 12
Reykjavik
6 p.m.
Arrival in Reykjavik
Their Excellencies will be greeted at the airport by Iceland officials.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Thursday, October 13
Reykjavik
9 a.m.
Meeting with the President of Iceland
The Governor General will meet with His Excellency Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, to discuss Canada-Iceland relations, including historic connections and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Presidential Residence
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
10:30 a.m.
Meeting with Founder and Chair of Arctic Circle Assembly
Her Excellency will meet with Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Founder and Chair of the ACA, to discuss the Arctic, Canada’s role in the region, and this year’s assembly.
Harpa Conference Centre
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
1 p.m.
Opening Session of Arctic Circle Assembly 2022
Her Excellency will deliver a keynote address on global Arctic collaboration followed by an armchair discussion with Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson on Arctic issues and on Canada’s role and leadership in the Arctic.
Harpa Conference Centre, Silfurberg Conference Hall A-B, 2nd Floor
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
Friday, October 14
Reykjavik
10:30 a.m.
Plenary Panel at the Arctic Circle Assembly on Gender Equality and Diversity in Arctic Leadership
Her Excellency will take part in this discussion to share her experience as a woman and as an Indigenous leader. She will be joined by Her Excellency Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, and Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister of Finance and Gender Equality.
Harpa Conference Centre
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
1 p.m.
Plenary Panel at the Arctic Circle Assembly on Canada’s North and the future of the Arctic
His Excellency Whit Fraser will moderate this panel organized by the Arctic Circle Secretariat.
Harpa Conference Centre
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA
5:45 p.m.
Friends of Canada – Marking 75 years of diplomatic relations
Their Excellencies, along with Jeannette Menzies, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland, will meet with Icelandic representatives from various sectors, including government, business, innovation, civil society, culture and academia. This event is organized by the Embassy of Canada to Iceland.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Saturday, October 15
Reykjavik
Afternoon
Departure from Reykjavik
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Notes for media
- Media members wishing to cover the event must be accredited.
- Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via media@gg.ca.
- Media members can follow the Governor General’s visit and activities at www.gg.ca.
Related links:
Arctic Circle Website
Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7563
media@gg.ca
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