Launch of Summer Activities

The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief inspected the Ceremonial Guard.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, invited the public to join him for the annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard on the grounds of Rideau Hall on June 25.

The Governor General then took an official photograph with members of the Ceremonial Guard.

There were stories and snacks to kick off this annual outdoor family activity that celebrates reading and literacy.

Throughout the summmer, volunteers from Frontier College, a non-profit literacy organization, will be reading under the Reading Tent children’s stories and organize fun literacy activities for kids on Fridays and Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Following the inspection, the Governor General and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston, along with a special guest from the Ceremonial Guard and volunteers from Frontier College, launched Storytime at Rideau Hall.

The Governor General took a moment to talk with family members who attended the event.

The governor general is commander-in-chief of Canada. This role has been expressly conferred on the governor general as per the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada (1947). As such, the governor general plays a major role in recognizing the importance of Canada’s military at home and abroad.

"Your walk, your maneuvers, the aforementioned bagpipes — all tell the story of our tradition, " said His Excellency. "Thank you for everything you do here, and for your service to Canada."

During the inspection, His Excellency stopped and said a few words to some members of the Ceremonial Guard.

Over the summer months, visitors will be able to enjoy the much-loved Relief of the Sentries, where sentries are led by a piper to their posts, daily, on the hour.

The Ceremonial Guard was established by the Canadian Armed Forces to plan, prepare, and execute Public Duties in the Nation's Capital during the summer.