Governor General to mark the State Visit of the President of Iceland with a series of events

May 25, 2023

OTTAWA, Ontario—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will host a series of events on May 29, 2023, as part of the State Visit of the Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Ms. Eliza Reid.

While in Ottawa, the First Couple will join the Governor General for a welcoming ceremony, tree planting, bilateral meeting, round table on language preservation, an event on youth wellbeing and substance use prevention, and a State dinner.

The visit will provide an opportunity to deepen Canada’s bilateral relationship with Iceland and explore increased collaboration in areas such as climate change and clean technology, the health and wellbeing of young people, and sustainable trade and investment.

A delegation of Icelandic officials and business representatives will accompany the First Couple, including Her Excellency Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, and His Excellency Hlynur Guðjónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada.

This is the first Icelandic State visit to Canada since 2000.

Times are indicated in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Monday, May 29, 2023
Ottawa

9:55 a.m.
Welcoming Ceremony with Military Honours
Upon arrival, Governor General Simon and Mr. Whit Fraser will greet His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, Ms. Eliza Reid, Her Excellency Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, and His Excellency Hlynur Guðjónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada, and Ms. Jeannette Menzies, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland. The Governor General will deliver welcoming remarks, along with other dignitaries, and inspect a guard of honour.
Grounds of Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA

10:25 a.m.       
Meeting with Their Excellencies
Governor General Simon and Mr. Fraser will hold a meeting with His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Ms. Eliza Reid.
Large Drawing Room, Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA - At the start of the meeting

11 a.m.
Tree-Planting Ceremony
Their Excellencies and His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Ms. Eliza Reid will participate in a tree-planting ceremony, a Canadian tradition symbolizing friendship and co-operation between nations.
Grounds of Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA

1:45 p.m.
Round table on Language Preservation hosted by the Governor General
The Governor General will host a discussion for a small group of eminent Canadian and Icelandic representatives, including the President of Iceland, on the importance of safeguarding languages and opportunities for innovation when it comes to language promotion and preservation. Participants will explore best practices at both domestic and international levels.
Rideau Hall
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

3 p.m.
Round table on Upstream Approaches to Protecting Youth Health and Well-being
The Governor General and the President of Iceland will attend an event organized by the embassy of Iceland in Ottawa, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Iceland’s Planet Youth and Global Affairs Canada, which will focus on youth well-being and substance use prevention.
Global Centre for Pluralism
OPEN TO MEDIA

6:45 p.m.  
State Dinner
Their Excellencies will host a State dinner for His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, and Ms. Eliza Reid, as well as Canadian and Icelandic dignitaries.
Ballroom, Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA – During speeches only

Notes for media

  • All media must be accredited by the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
  • To guarantee your access, we ask that you please confirm your attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office in advance via media@gg.ca.
  • Media are asked to arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later than 30 minutes before the event’s start time.
  • Photos taken by the Governor General’s official photographer will be made available upon request via media@gg.ca.

Related links:

Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7563
media@gg.ca

Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca

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