Visit to Montreal

During this ceremony, the Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to ten recipients who have dedicated themselves to their fellow citizens, their community and their country. The Caring Canadian Award was also be presented to 24 recipients who have volunteered their time to help others and to build a smarter, more caring nation.

In the evening, the Governor General delivered a keynote address at the Canada Chinese Business Council’s (CCBC) 34th Annual General Meeting & Policy Conference. This annual conference brings together business leaders from across Canada and China, and focuses on the progress made in Canada’s bilateral economic relationship with China.

The choir sang "Trois beaux oiseaux du paradis" by Maurice Ravel and "Le grand cerf-volant" by Gilles Vigneault.

Following the ceremony, the Choeur du Collège Stanislas choir performed two songs for the recipients and their invited guests.

"I am delighted to see you gathered here together because in fact, these two honours have a great deal in common," said His Excellency. "Having devoted your lives to a variety of greater causes, those of you who are receiving the Diamond Jubilee Medal understand the timeless value of service to others. The same can be said of those who are receiving the Caring Canadian Award for your extraordinary kindness and generosity."

In the afternoon, an honours presentation ceremony was held in the home of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal, the oldest francophone regiment in Montréal. Pictured with His Excellency (from left to right) are Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Larouche, Lieutenant-Colonel Luc St-Jean, and Lieutenant-Colonel (Hon) Luc Lavoie.

Lieutenant-Colonel Okill Stuart (Ret’d) (Saint-Lambert, Quebec) was recognized with the Caring Canadian Award for his long commitment to promoting our country’s heritage, notably Canada’s role in the Second World War.

Linda Chernin Rosenblatt (Montréal, Quebec) was recognized with the Caring Canadian Award for her 35 years of support for cancer patients and their families, notably through the Cedars Cancer Institute.

Menelaos Pavlides (Montréal, Quebec) was recognized with the Caring Canadian Award for his long service in the Scouting movement, notably within Canada’s Greek community.

Jean-Paul Gignac (Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Quebec) was recognized with the Caring Canadian Award for his 50 years of engagement in civic, sporting and social causes in his community, notably as the founding member of l’Inter-Club de sport des communautés des Basses-Laurentides.

Ginette Gauvreau (Trois-Rivières, Quebec) was recognized with the Caring Canadian Award for supporting Haitian orphans and the Canadian families who have adopted them.

Marina Orsini (Montréal, Quebec) received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. An actress and radio host, Ms. Orsini has been actively involved for over 20 years as spokesperson and speaker for Tel-jeunes, an organization that provides resources to troubled teens.

Jennifer Heil (Montréal, Quebec) received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Ms. Heil has won Olympic gold and silver medals in the sport of freestyle mogul skiing. An ambassador of community service, she is also involved with several charities, including the “Because I am a Girl” initiative, which supports the rights and development of millions of girls in the developing world.

Richard Garneau, O.C., C.Q. (Montréal, Quebec) received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Journalist, author, international sporting event and program host, Mr. Garneau was notably a renowned as the host of “La Soirée du Hockey” for 23 years. He also covered the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games for over 40 years.

Jean-André Élie (Mont Royal, Quebec) received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Mr. Élie is one of the great builders of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Over the course of half a century volunteering for the organization, he initiated numerous fundraising activities and projects to support primarily young musicians.

Gregory Charles (Montréal, Quebec) received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. A versatile and tremendously talented artist, he is a musician, singer, television and radio host, artistic director, and actor. Mr. Charles is an inspiration to all those young artists with whom he has always shared his passion and enthusiasm for music.

"Today, Canada and China are becoming more important to one another, and together, we need to adjust our learning and deepen our mutual comprehension," said His Excellency. "Take language, for example—the key to culture. In Canada today, more than a million Canadians speak Mandarin, Cantonese or another Chinese language, according to the 2011 census. This is a testament to the depth of our ties and a recipe for greater understanding."