Visit to Guelph

His Excellency inspects the ranks of the quarter guard from 11 Royal Canadian Artillery.

His Excellency sang along with the Howard Robertson Public School choir.

The Governor General expressed how delighted he was to be back visiting the market and congratulating the community for their efforts in rebuilding the Farmers market.

His Excellency stopped to admire wood carvings during his walkabout in the market.

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is home to over 400 vendors housed in three buildings and a seasonal outdoor market. Local food producers, Old Order Mennonite farmers, butchers, bakers and flea market vendors have done business at the St. Jacobs Market since the early 1970s.

His Excellency bolted a piece of burnt post in the new market's main entrance.

His Excellency visited the rebuilt St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building and met with vendors and members of the community.

The Governor General met with His Worship Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph along with the mayor's wife Rachel.

Students from the LCol John McCrae Public School read the poem "In Flanders Field".

May 3, 2015, marked the centennial anniversary of the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, written by LCol John McCrae. McCrae was born in Guelph in 1872 and his birthplace home stands today as a museum. To honour this man and his famous poem, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery commissioned famous sculptor Ruth Abernethy to create a statue depicting John McCrae at the historic moment of the poem’s completion.

Along with Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph, His Excellency will dedicate and unveil the LCol John McCrae Statue to honour the 100th anniversary of the writing of “In Flanders Fields”.

Honorary Colonel Michael McKay, Chairman of the McCRae Statue Project Committee was present and delivered remarks at the ceremony.

"Today, thanks to his famous poem, the poppy is a worldwide symbol of remembrance", said the Governor General. "But John McCrae himself is symbolic of something else entirely: the terrible waste of human life and potential that was the First World War."

His Excellency will be the keynote speaker at the 16th annual Guelph Awards of Excellence Gala. This event celebrates philanthropy and citizenship, as well as business success in a variety of categories.