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September 7, 2009OTTAWA— My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were saddened to hear of the death of Corporal Jean-François Drouin and Major Yannick Pépin, both from 5e Régiment du génie de combat serving as members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based in Valcartier, Quebec. An...

Meeting with Canadian Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan Afghanistan, Tuesday, September 8, 2009 I have been anxiously awaiting this opportunity to come back here, to this country where your mission has brought you. Particularly given that at this very moment, Afghanistan is going through a pivotal ti...

OTTAWA— It broke my heart today to learn of the death of Private Patrick Lormand of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22 Regiment, based in Valcartier. This courageous soldier died when the vehicle in which he was travelling ran over one of the improvised explosive devices that insurgents use to spread...

Presentation of Scrolls to General and Flag Officers The Citadelle, Monday, September 14, 2009 I am so pleased to welcome you and your families to the Citadelle as you prepare to take an important step in your career with the Canadian Forces. I therefore take this morning’s ceremony very seriously. ...

Presentation of Honours The Citadelle, Tuesday, September 15, 2009 For generations, women and men have been shaping the face of Canada: artists, researchers, thinkers, teachers, students, journalists, architects, law enforcement officials, community workers, citizens from all walks of life who have ...

Presentation of Credentials (Zambia, Thailand,Denmark, Germany) The Citadelle, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you, Excellencies, along with your families and delegations, to the Citadelle of Québec, the second official residence of the governor general. High atop Cape Diaman...

Youth Dialogue at École secondaire Vanier City of Québec, Thursday, September 17, 2009 I have come here today because I believe in you, our country’s youth. Because I believe in your ability to take action and change things for the better. Because you, the students of École Vanier, École Boudreau an...

Concert Featuring Oliver Jones and Nikki Yanofsky The Citadelle, Thursday, September 17, 2009 It gives me great pleasure to present to you this extraordinary concert at the Citadelle of Québec. It is a way for me to open the doors of this residence once again and give this place steeped in history a...

September 17, 2009 OTTAWA—In the space of a few days, we find ourselves once again mourning the tragic loss of one of our soldiers. Private Jonathan Couturier, member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec, was killed and 11 of his comrades in arms were wounded when an...

Bicentennial of the Chambre de commerce de Québec The Citadelle, Friday, September 18, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle, the official residence of the governor general in the City of Québec. This residence is a unique place, a place of memory that must keep pace with and reflect t...

Art Matters Forum on Arts and Culture Rideau Hall, Monday, September 21, 2009 Jean-Daniel and I are extremely pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall. Being surrounded by committed friends who believe in the higher value of art and the power of social engagement through arts and culture is a real joy....

Opening of the DIASPORArt Exhibit Rideau Hall, Monday, September 21, 2009 I am a woman in whom many cultures and identities co-exist. On the island of Haiti where I was born, there were approximately one million Aboriginal inhabitants before the arrival of the Europeans. They were the Taino, the Ara...

Presentation of the Reporters Without Borders-Radio-CanadaInternational Prize for Women of Courage Montréal, Thursday, September 24, 2009 Courage is neither male nor female. But, let’s be realistic, it is most often women who see their basic human rights violated. And under extremely dangerous condi...

Message on the Occasion of the Peace Summit Recorded at Rideau Hall, Friday, September 25, 2009 “It would have been an honour to be in the midst of such a dazzling constellation of global change agents.” “Your presence in Vancouver is a glowing testament to Victor Chan’s vision and his generosity of...

Youth Dialogue on Peace and Solidarity Vancouver, Monday, September 28, 2009 I am so pleased to accept the mission that you have conferred upon me, on behalf of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. I believe that each of us must make a firm commitment ...

We Day Vancouver, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 How are you? Are you ready to celebrate? Craig and Marc had already spoken to me at great length about you. But nothing prepared me for all this energy rocking the stadium this morning! It’s wonderful! Let me say how excited I am to be with you to open V...

Reception in Honour of the Founders of the Trans Canada Trail Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 24, 2009 I am delighted to welcome to Rideau Hall women and men who share the conviction that “however tall the mountain, there is always a road”, as the proverb says. And that road connects us to one anot...