Visit to Mexico - Day 1

Their Excellencies and the delegation visited the Center for Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing (CIMA) at Tec de Monterrey, located in Querétaro.

The Governor General obviously enjoyed his visit.

CIMA fosters collaboration between academia and industry to encourage innovation and technological development towards an entrepreneurial culture for solving problems, and to create value in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, the Governor General undertook a visit to Mexico, from November 30 until December 2. Their first stop was Querétaro. They met with Mr. Jose E. Calzada Rovirosa, Governor of Querétaro, and his spouse Mrs. Sandra Albarran de Calzada.

At Tec de Monterrey, the Governor General delivered a keynote address prior to a panel discussion entitled “The Future of Canada-Mexico Relations: How Post-Secondary-Government-Private Sector Partnerships Can Lead the Way”.

After Querétaro, Their Excellencies went to Mexico City.

While His Excellency was at Anahuac University, Her Excellency explored Querétaro with a fantastic guide: Mrs. Sandra Albarran de Calzada, First Lady of Querétaro. They went to the Querétaro Rehabilitation Center, the flagship of the Family Services Institute for the State of Querétaro.

As is the tradition in many Mexican states, the First Lady is the President of the Board of Querétaro's Family Services Institute.

The Institute provides social support for individuals and communities in need, offering programs in four key areas: community development, social support and rehabilitation, food security and family and youth.

Their Excellencies were accompanied by Mr. Jose E. Calzada Rovirosa, Governor of Querétaro, and his spouse Mrs. Sandra Albarran de Calzada (2nd and 3rd from left) throughout their visit to Tec de Monterrey.

The State Dinner given by President Calderón took place at Palacio Nacional, in Mexico City.

His Excellency and President Calderón were able to chat during the evening.

The Governor General took a short tour of Anáhuac University, during which he saw the law school’s mock courtroom.

At the University of Anahuac, the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, made an announcement about the engagement of Canada in the Mexican Justice Reform project.

Following the announcement, His Excellency delivered remarks prior to a round-table discussion on “The Role of Law Faculties and Legal Education in Preparing for a New Justice Paradigm.”

Their Excellencies and the Canadian delegation visited Bombardier Aerospace Facilities in the Querétaro Aerospace Park.

Upon their arrival to Bombardier Aerospace Facilities, the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, the Governor General and the delegation were given a brief presentation of the company to which participated Mr. Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board of Bombardier (right).

The Querétaro manufacturing facility is responsible for the fabrication of the Learjet 85 aircraft’s major composite structures, including fuselage lay-up and sub-system installation; wiring harness fabrication and installation; wing assembly; and horizontal and vertical stabilizer assemblies. The Governor General and his spouse are seen here with Mr. Laurent Beaudoin and his spouse.

Their Excellencies represented Canada at a dinner given by the outgoing president of Mexico, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa.

President Calderón gave a speech on the occasion of his last State Dinner as President of Mexico.

Her Excellency really enjoyed the time she spent with the First Lady of Querétaro.