OTTAWA, Ontario—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will undertake their first official visit to New Brunswick from June 4 to 7, 2024.
The visit to New Brunswick will focus on reconciliation, digital respect, mental health, nature and the environment, military commemorations and youth. During the visit, Her Excellency will meet with provincial officials including the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier, and Indigenous leaders.
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General will also take part in two milestone military commemorations: the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and the 100th Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Anniversary celebrations.
The Governor General plays an important role in raising awareness of significant issues throughout our country, and in recognizing incredible Canadians working to better the lives of their neighbours and communities. Official visits provide opportunities for Her Excellency, on behalf of Canadians, to meet with and recognize people who are making a difference in a range of fields.
Itinerary:
Note: times are indicated in Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT).
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 – Fredericton, New Brunswick
11:50 a.m.
Meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
The Governor General will be greeted by Their Honours the Honourable Brenda Murphy, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and Linda Boyle.
Learn more about the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
Government House, 51 Woodstock Road
OPEN TO MEDIA – Photo opportunity upon arrival for greetings outside Government House and at the beginning of the meeting.
Media Contact: Alex Robichaud, 506-453-6795, alex.robichaud@gnb.ca
2:30 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
The Governor General will be greeted by several provincial dignitaries including the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, and Marcia Higgs, as well as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Bill Oliver. The Governor General will also inspect the guard of honour.
Learn more about the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Outside in front of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, 706 Queen Street
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Bruce Macfarlane, Executive Council Office, 506-476-1376, bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca
2:45 p.m.
Signature of the Guest Book
The Governor General will take part in a photo opportunity with the Speaker and sign the guest book.
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, 706 Queen Street
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
2:50 p.m.
Meeting with the Premier of New Brunswick
The Governor General will meet with the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick.
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, 706 Queen Street
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NB – Photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting and upon departure from the Legislative Building outside as Her Excellency walks across the street to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Media Contact: Bruce Macfarlane, Executive Council Office, 506-476-1376, bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca
3:30 p.m.
Visit to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
The Governor General will view a curated collection of artworks by Indigenous artists.
Learn more about the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Beaverbrook Art Gallery, 703 Queen Street
OPEN TO MEDIA – Photo at the beginning of the viewing.
Media contact: Curtis Richardson, crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
5:10 p.m.
Visit to the Kehkimin Wolastoqey Land-based Language Immersion School
The Governor General will sit down with Indigenous children, their parents, Elders and school staff to take part in an interactive activity to encourage the revitalization of the Wolastoqey language. The group will also exchange on the importance of language revitalization, preservation and reconciliation.
Learn more about Kehkimin Wolastoqey Land-based Language Immersion School
1600 St-Mary’s (Killarney Lodge)
OPEN TO MEDIA – Photo opportunity at the beginning
Media contact: Lisa Perley-Dutcher, Kehkimin Director, 506-260-8060, lperleyd@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 5 – Fredericton and Caraquet, New Brunswick
Fredericton
9:30 a.m.
Conversation with the Governor General: Building a Safe & Respectful Digital World
Her Excellency will participate in a fireside chat and a panel discussion with New Brunswickers on the impacts of online harassment and emerging solutions to build a safe and respectful digital world.
Learn more about digital respect
St. Thomas University, Kinsella Auditorium, Margaret Norrie McCain Hall, 9 Duffie Drive
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Jeffrey Carleton, carleton@stu.ca
Caraquet
2:15 p.m.
Historical tour and discussion with Caraquet citizens at the Village historique acadien
The Governor General will meet with a cross section of Caraquet citizens and then tour the Village with a historian to learn more about the daily lives of the Acadian people from 1770 to 1949.
Learn more about the Village historique acadien
Village historique acadien, 5 Rue du Pont, Bertrand
OPEN TO MEDIA – Photo opportunity during the tour of the Village in front of Maison Cyr and Maison Martin
Media Contact: Mylène Dugas, mylene.dugas@gnb.ca
3:05 p.m.
Kindness visit at Atelier la Rencontre de Caraquet
The Governor General will pay a visit to a group of adults aged 19 to 63 with intellectual, developmental and/or other disabilities that regularly use the services at Atelier La Rencontre. Services include a daily activities program, socializing with other adults and receiving help with job searches.
Learn more about L’Atelier La Rencontre
Atelier La Rencontre de Caraquet, 204 boulevard St-Pierre Est
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Mélanie Pinet, info@lesforcesvives.ca
7:00 p.m.
Acadian Cultural Evening
The Governor General will attend a cultural evening hosted by the city of Caraquet in collaboration with the Festival Acadien de Caraquet, featuring musical performances from young students at École Trémolo, local musical talent and Acadian poetry.
Centre culturel de Caraquet, 220 boulevard St-Pierre Ouest
OPEN TO MEDIA
Thursday, June 6 – Sunny Corner and Moncton, New Brunswick
9:40 a.m.
Discussion on salmon conservation and research activities on the Miramichi River
The Governor General will meet with members of Natoaganeg First Nation, the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council’s Anqotum Resource Management department, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. The meeting will be held in Natoaganeg First Nation, adjacent to the Miramichi River, one of Canada’s most productive Atlantic salmon watersheds. Her Excellency will then travel to the Northwest Miramichi River to meet with Mi’kmaq harvesters conducting the only commercial fishery for striped bass in Canada.
Learn more about the Atlantic Salmon Federation
Learn more about the Natoaganeg First Nation
Learn more about the Anqotum Resource Management
Anqotum Resource Management, 32 Micmac Road, Eel Ground
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contacts: Vanessa McLaughlin, North Shore Mi’kmaq District Council, vanessamclaughlin@nsmtc.ca, Neville Crabbe, Atlantic Salmon Federation, ncrabbe@asf.ca
Moncton
2:00 p.m.
80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Signature Commemorative Ceremony and Celebration
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General will lay a wreath, reveal a commemorative plaque and tree, and deliver remarks to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
Learn more about D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Victoria Park, 223 Weldon Street
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), 613-992-7468, media@veterans.gc.ca
Friday, June 7 – Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick
11:00 a.m.
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 100th Anniversary Celebrations – Air Force Memorial Unveiling
As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General will deliver remarks and unveil the RCAF 100 Pennfield Ridge centre Monument.
Pennfield Ridge Memorial Park (former Commonwealth Air Training Plan base)
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Harold Wright, 506-639-4435 turnbullnbchapter@gmail.com
Quick facts
- This will be Governor General Simon’s first official visit to New Brunswick since her installation.
- This visit is part of a larger objective of visiting each province and territory to engage with Canadians from across the country in their communities and meeting with provincial and Indigenous leaders.
Notes for media
- Members of the media must confirm their attendance at select events with the media contacts listed above.
- Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via media@gg.ca.
Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
media@gg.ca
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