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Taped at Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Dear friends, Since being appointed Governor General of Canada nearly one year ago, I have been travelling across this vast country of ours and have been amazed to discover regions I knew little about, breathtaking natural splendours, and stories that tou...

Rideau Hall, Friday, June 2, 2006 As many of you no doubt know, today is the anniversary of the Battle of Ridgeway (June 2, 1866). For any guests here today who might not be familiar with this event in Canadian history, it was an engagement fought near Fort Erie, Ontario, in 1866, pitting Fenian irr...

June 2, 2006 “To serve one’s country is a noble endeavour. And those who serve in our Canadian Forces demonstrate to all of us a profound belief in the values that we, as a society, hold dear—values of democratic freedom, human rights and a world free from tyranny. These courageous women and men hav...

Ottawa, Monday, June 5, 2006 Thank you for the great honour you do me in conferring upon me this honorary doctorate. I am especially moved because I learned at a very young age that acquiring knowledge was the best, if not the only way to escape misery. My father dedicated his life to teaching, and ...

June 9, 2006 “From coast to coast to coast and even around the world, federal public servants provide Canadians with essential services, resources and information and contribute to the development of economic and social policies that help to better our lives here at home as well as those of our glob...

Toronto, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 … I don’t know where to begin… First of all, allow me to thank Principal Janice Searles, for welcoming me to your school, and for making this day possible. I know the amount of work that has to go into this kind of visit, and I want you to know how much I appreciate...

Toronto, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 Today I would like to talk about courage. The courage Archbishop Oscar Romero demonstrated when he made the fateful decision to stand with the poor of El Salvador against those who oppressed them. I also want to talk about hope. Hope was an essential element of Arch...

Yellowknife, Monday, June 19, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I would like to thank you for this honour in welcoming us to the Legislative Assembly and for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today in this space opening onto the natural splendours of your territory and alive with your...

June 20, 2006 “I am very pleased to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, here at Fort Simpson, in the Northwest Territories. What a wonderful opportunity to honour the first inhabitants of this great land that we all share today as Canadians and to celebrate the wisdom, cu...

Yellowknife, Monday, June 19, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and for organizing this dinner in honour of my first official visit to the Northwest Territories as governor general of Canada. In fact, it is my first visit ever to your territory. F...

Yellowknife, Tuesday, June 20, 2006 I am delighted to be here to launch construction on Bailey House. I was filled with admiration as I learned that we are breaking ground on a shelter that will bear the name of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey who, for many years, opened their home to the homeless and helped th...

Yellowknife, Tuesday, June 20, 2006 How wonderful to be here on this festive evening while outside, the daylight seems as bright as ever! My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are absolutely delighted to be here with you on the eve of National Aboriginal Day. Since being appointed governor general of ...

Fort Simpson, Wednesday, June 21, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I would like to thank you for welcoming us so warmly to Fort Simpson. Having been born on an island in the South, my native Haiti, I am especially moved to find myself here with you on an island in the North. Where the majestic...

June 22, 2006 “Canada is a country filled with people who are proud of who they are, of their accomplishments, history, uniqueness, spirit of adventure and desire to surpass themselves. Every year, June 24, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, is a chance for the people of Quebec and Francophones across this co...

Yellowknife, Thursday, June 22, 2006 We apologize for arriving so late this evening. We are also sorry to have missed our planned discussion. We were away in Nahanni National Park and, during our return flight to Fort Simpson, our assistance was requested to search for a missing canoeist, who we fou...

Petawawa, Sunday, June 25, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden and I are delighted to be here to share this family day with you. We are also proud to be here as some of you are preparing to leave for Afghanistan. You will be greatly missed by your families and loved ones. But...

June 26, 2006 "Today’s Canada contains the world. Rich in its demographic and cultural diversity, Canada is a model of openness and harmony in the concert of nations. Bringing together so many cultures and perspectives certainly enriches us all, but it is also a challenge that all of humanity must n...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for the opening of the new art exhibition entitled Dialogues: the changing face of contemporary Canadian art. What better way to breathe new life into this institution than to dedicate a...

Rideau Hall, Friday, June 9, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall as you prepare to embark on a new phase in your career. You will soon be called to represent our country abroad and, as such, you will take with you our values and culture, bringing the ...

Ottawa, Wednesday, June 28, 2006 As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, and as honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to inspect the Ceremonial Guard as it begins its summer duties. As many of you kn...