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June 4, 2008 On this day, 20 years ago, the Canadian Heraldic Authority came into being. Since that time, thousands of coats of arms, flags and badges have been granted and registered. As a result, Canadian heraldry has become renowned for its creativity, its artistic excellence, and its blending of...

Calgary, Thursday, June 5, 2008 It is such a pleasure to be back at the Glenbow Museum on the eve of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, in the company of women and men who, thread by thread, are weaving the social fabric of this city, this province, this country. Aspiring leaders...

Banff, Friday, June 6, 2008 Finally, here we are in Banff, at the foot of the Rockies, ready to embark on our exciting adventure. It is a pleasure to be here with you today. We have been working for over a year on the 2008 Leadership Conference, for which I will serve as honorary chair with as much ...

June 8, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were saddened to receive news of the tragic death of Captain Jonathan (Jon) Sutherland Snyder, a member of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team serving with the 1st Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton,...

Rideau Hall, Friday, June 13, 2008 Welcome to Rideau Hall. My husband Jean-Daniel and I are pleased to be joined this morning by journalists, including a few former colleagues, representatives of news organizations, intellectuals, free thinkers. Welcome to Art Matters, created as a space for reflect...

June 13, 2008 It was only a few days ago that I watched Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations deliver a rousing speech about the tragic history of the Indian Residential Schools. In the presence of more than 200 young professionals from across the country, he laid bare horrific storie...

Rideau Hall, Friday, June 13, 2008 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are very happy to welcome you to Rideau Hall, where earlier today, we held the 27th Art Matters forum. For those of you who are not familiar with these discussions, Art Matters was created as a space for reflection and dialogue o...

June 13, 2008 It gives me great pleasure, during this National Public Service Week, to salute all our federal employees, who certainly deserve to take the time to celebrate their accomplishments and to reflect together on this year’s theme: “Recognizing our history while building our tomorrow.” I ta...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 It is a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall and to wish you a very warm welcome to Canada. We are gathered here this morning in a spirit of sharing, openness and reconciliation among peoples, and I am delighted to be here with you. The horizons of our lives, lo...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Here at Rideau Hall and on Parliament Hill, we are marking the arrival of summer with the return of the Ceremonial Guard, which I had the pleasure of inspecting today. Every year at this time, I have the privilege of inspecting the Ceremonial Guard as it prepare...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 19, 2008 I was so happy to see you again this morning. I wanted to hear all about your journey, about the wonderful people you had met along the way, to know what you had learned, what may have surprised or even shocked you, to hear about the conclusions you have drawn. T...

June 20, 2008 OTTAWA— Throughout my travels, I have seen the many faces of Canada’s Aboriginal people. They are the faces of ancient wisdom, resourcefulness, empowerment, self-confidence and hope in the future. I have witnessed traditions being passed from one generation to the next, and felt the de...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, June 21, 2008 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY How wonderful it is to meet you and welcome you here, to Rideau Hall. You know, I was born on an island, where legends shape our relationship with the universe. And I was delighted to find here, in my adopted homeland, your own legends that...

Wendake, Saturday, June 21, 2008 Joining me here at the table of panellists are Aboriginal women only. Long-time activists, outspoken, committed women whom I salute on this National Aboriginal Day. The fact that you have invited me to join you today at this conference—not only that, you have asked m...

Québec, Monday, June 23, 2008 It is with great pride and joy that I welcome you to the magnificent City of Québec, a world heritage jewel, particularly at this time when we are celebrating its 400th anniversary. From the heights of the Citadelle to the streets of Lower Town, our history is everywher...

June 24, 2008 This year, we proudly celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Québec. Building on the creation of Port Royal in Acadia in 1604, that is over four centuries of a Francophone presence in North America! On this June 24, 2008, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, celebrated with...

City of Québec, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden and I are overjoyed to be here with you to mark the arrival of these friends, who courageously braved the Ocean, from La Rochelle, France, to the City of Québec. I am sure you will agree that their sense of...

The Citadelle, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 I am delighted to welcome you here to the official residence of the governor general of Canada at the Citadelle, in the beautiful City of Québec. It is even more beautiful than ever, filled with the spirit of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of i...

The Citadelle, Thursday, June 26, 2008 It is unusual for the presentation of credentials to take place here, at the Citadelle, the governor general’s second official residence. I am pleased to welcome you to the Citadelle this morning, particularly because this year, we are celebrating the 400th ann...

The Citadelle, Thursday, June 26, 2008 It is with great joy that we welcome you here to the Citadelle, the governor general’s second official residence, as the City of Québec bustles with excitement, ready to celebrate its 400th anniversary. Michel Melot, who among other things played a part in the ...