Visit to Victoria

In the morning, the Governor General was invested as the honorary chief commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) by Deputy Commissioner Jody Thomas, during a ceremony at Government House, in Victoria, British Columbia.

On this occasion, the Governor General also presented the Caring Canadian Award to 10 deserving volunteers from British Columbia. Ms. Lydia Kasianchuk, from Victoria, British Columbia, has contributed her time to a large number of organizations, including Arts Sustainability Victoria, Metchosin International Summer School for the Arts, and the West Coast Children's Choral Society, among others. In 1982, she was one of four founding members of the Victoria chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Currently, she provides comfort and support to terminally ill residents of the Victoria Hospice, and serves as a community advisor with the Victoria Foundation.

"The Victoria Community Foundation’s new Smart and Caring program, The ABCs of Physical Literacy, is a great way to support children, to help them battle inactivity and gain confidence," said His Excellency. "In turn, they might be inspired to help others throughout their lives, building on the kindness that they were shown early on. And who knows what they will think of to transform our communities in the future? And when this happens across the country, a better Canada is the result."

The fund will focus on physical literacy, which provides young children with the skills and confidence to establish the groundwork for lifelong health and well-being.

Support from the new Smart & Caring Community Fund will expand access to a program called The ABCs of Physical Literacy developed by the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE).

As patron of the Community Foundations of Canada, the Governor General attended the launch of the Victoria Foundation’s Smart & Caring Community Fund. Upon his arrival, His Excellency was met by (from left to right) Mr. Mark Litwin, Mr. Robert Bettauer, CEO of the Pacific Institute of Sport Excellency, Ms. Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation, and Mr. Ian Bird, President and CEO of Community Fondations of Canada.

During a luncheon that followed the briefing, His Excellency had a chance to speak with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, also in attendance.

Later in the day, His Excellency attended a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 joint and combined multinational force exercise briefing at the Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters, at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.

To mark the CCG’s 50th anniversary, the Governor General presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and from the CCG in recognition of their significant contributions and achievements.

"It is an honour as governor general to be named honorary chief commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard," said His Excellency. "I accept this title with the humbling knowledge that it is you, the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard, who contribute to our country in diverse ways, who protect our waters and who save lives."

His Excellency is pictured with the 10 Caring Canadian Award recipients, all from British Columbia.