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Reception with Partners from the Ottawa Region Rideau Hall, Monday, September 27, 2010 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are delighted, proud and touched to welcome you to Rideau Hall today to thank you very much for the support and friendship you have shown us over the past five years. From the...

Reopening of the National Capital Commission’s Greenhouses Rideau Hall, Tuesday, September 28, 2010 A civilization—a word we do not hear very often these days, one that is usually filled with regret—is measured by the traces on which time sheds light. As André Malraux, a chaser of civilizations, sai...

Farewell Reception hosted by the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons Ottawa, Tuesday, September 28, 2010 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I would like to thank you very much for this reception and for giving us the opportunity to say goodbye, as my mandate as 27th governor general of ...

Farewell Parade Ottawa, Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Thank you very much for the kind words and solidarity you have shown me. I will always be grateful to you. As I recently said, you are not born the commander-in-chief; I have determinedly become it because of you. To the point that, throughout my...

The Senate, Friday, October 1st, 2010 I begin by saying thank you to Her Majesty the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Canadian people for this call to service. My wife and I accept it with joy—as we contemplate the role of Canada in the years ahead—and with gratitude at the opportunity to serve as ...

Ottawa, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Let me begin by thanking the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy as well as The Royal Canadian Geographical Society for inviting me to join you today. When John F. Kennedy addressed Congress for the first time as President, he began by saying, “it...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 7, 2010 Welcome to Rideau Hall! To be honest, it feels a bit odd to have me welcome you! After all, I’m still finding my way around this beautiful building while many of you have been frequent visitors here! Nevertheless, Sharon and I are now privileged to call this pl...

Ottawa, Saturday, October 16, 2010 One-hundred years ago, Robert Baden Powell asked Earl Grey, then Governor General of Canada, to organize scouting in Canada. As Canada’s scouting movement matured, the Governor General’s role evolved into a largely honorary one. But the relationship between scoutin...

Rideau Hall, Monday, October 18, 2010 Good morning everyone! Welcome to Rideau Hall! Sharon and I are still getting used to calling this place home, but we do hope that you’ll feel at home here today! We are honoured to have you here with us and take part in this ceremony. As you may know, my wife S...

October 20, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Canada's Citizenship Week OTTAWA—The Canadian citizen is not easily defined. Some of us were born here; others have chosen Canada as a home for themselves and their famili...

Rideau Hall, Friday, October 22, 2010 Good morning everyone and welcome to Rideau Hall! We have come together today to recognize bravery. To celebrate service. To honour heroes. Behind every one of these beautiful medals is an amazing story. A story of a life saved, a family preserved, a community s...

Rideau Hall, Monday, October 25, 2010 It is truly an honour for me to be with you to launch the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Poppy Campaign. Since 1921, poppies have reminded us of countless stories of brave men and women who left home to sacrifice their lives for our country. These stories tell...

Toronto, Thursday, October 28, 2010 Good evening everyone! Let me add my own words of welcome to our distinguished guests—Ambassador Delattre, of France, High Commissioner Cary of Great Britain. We are honoured you are here with us this evening. It is always a pleasure to come to this beautiful buil...

Friday, October 29, 2010 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, your spouses, your children and members of your embassies to Rideau Hall. Please know that you are always welcome here. During my mandate and throughout your time in Canada, I want to focus on open, honest and ongoing discussions wi...

October 27, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Death of the Honourable Helen Hunley OTTAWA—My wife, Sharon, and I were saddened by the recent passing of the Honourable Helen Hunley, former lieutenant governor of Alberta. As the pr...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Good morning everyone. I am pleased to have this opportunity to express my gratitude and admiration—and the gratitude and admiration of all Canadians—to you, and to all members of the Canadian Forces. And I am delighted to be presenting these honours to you, th...

November 8, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Occasion of Remembrance Day OTTAWA—Each year on Remembrance Day, Canadians gather at war memorials and in cemeteries across this vast land. As the eleventh hour ...

Rideau Hall, Sunday, November 7, 2010 I am so pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall. If I were to ask you “who is your hero,” I would imagine you might name someone famous like: Terry Fox, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Clara Hughes, Steve Nash or Joannie Rochette—great and inspiring Canadian athlete...

Charlottetown, Monday, November 8, 2010 Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to have been invited to speak at this very prestigious event—the Symons Lecture on the State of Confederation. This is a doubly blessed event for me because of my long friendship with and deep admiration for ...

Charlottetown, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 It is an honour for me to be part of your round table discussion. I have been looking forward to this opportunity, not only for the chance to talk to all of you, but also to be in Prince Edward Island—the cradle of Confederation. The Fathers of Confederation ...