VISIT TO NORTHERN ONTARIO - Greater Sudbury

The Governor General took a few minutes to admire the Mining Heritage Sculpture in Bell Park.

Upon her arrival at Greater Sudbury's city hall, the Governor General was welcomed by a choir of children singing the national antemn.

The children were from Queen Elizabeth Public school and école publique Hélène-Gravel.

Her Excellency met with Mr. John Rodriguez, Mayor of Greater Sudbury. The city is a major technological, educational and ecological centre, and approximately one third of its population is Francophone.

Her Excellency attended the unveiling ceremony of Collège Boréal’s coat of arms. The ceremony was followed by a discussion exploring the theme, “How to promote our Francophone culture.” Collège boréal celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

Her Excellency also attended a ceremony during which the coat of arms of Laurentian University was unveiled. This bilingual institution celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Governor General visited the John Howard Society of Sudbury. The centre offers, among others, a rock music program that was developed as a way to help young people give back to their community in a positive way.

John Howard Centre is also presently coordinating a program that works specifically with youth (12 to 17 years old), mostly Aboriginal people, who have been charged with a criminal offence.

Her Excellency finished her regional visit to northern Ontario by attending the event that launched the Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury.