Visit to Vancouver

His Excellency attended and facilitated two plenary sessions on Asia’s economic, political, trade, investment and international challenges.

Her Excellency visted the East Van Roasters coffee shop, a social enterprise program that provides women living in the Downtown Eastside with the opportunity to engage in meaningful employment while simultaneously building a stronger community.

East Van Roasters is the newest social enterprise to come out of the PHS Community Services Society. Designed to provide training and employment to women residing the Rainier Hotel, East Van Roasters creates organic ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate as well as coffee that is roasted and prepared on-site.

Mrs. Johnston met with employees and participated in cracking and winnowing cocoa beans.

Founded in 1975, Green Thumb Theatre develops original Canadian plays for young audiences, and is one of Canada’s leading theatre companies for young people. They produce plays that explore social issues relevant to the lives of children, youth and young adults including bullying, substance abuse, self-esteem, mental health, AIDS awareness and illiteracy.

Following the presentation, she attended a performance and met with students and educators from a number of local schools that have benefited from the theater's work with young people.

Her Excellency met with Patrick McDonald, Artistic Director of Green Thumb Theatre, to learn about its plays and its impact on schools.