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Ottawa, Monday, June 20, 2011 I feel very comfortable here at the Canadian Museum of Nature, where my friend Meg has just been appointed director. In fact, my first public engagement as governor general was here. I was just about to go on when the fire alarm went off. As a university professor, I’m ...

Ottawa, Tuesday June 21, 2011 What a pleasure it is for me to celebrate National Aboriginal Day with you. And what an honour to join with you to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the National Aboriginal Monument, and to reflect upon the sacrifices that thousands of Aboriginal men and women made fo...

June 21, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of National Aboriginal Day OTTAWA— When we celebrate National Aboriginal Day, we are in fact celebrating the very foundations of Canada, as well as our shared future. For thousa...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 21, 2011 It is my pleasure to participate in the announcement of the highlights of the first Royal Tour overseas by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Sharon and I were delighted to represent Canadians at the Royal Wedding back in April. We had the h...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 22, 2011 It is a great honour to conduct this annual inspection of the Ceremonial Guard, which marks the beginning of your summer duties in our nation’s capital. As you know, this is our first such occasion since my installation as governor general and commander-in-chief...

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Thursday June 23, 2011 Thank you for that kind introduction. My wife, Sharon, and I are very pleased to with you today. Public service is very important to me. And I am sure you would agree when I say that it starts at home. As we look for causes right in our o...

June 24, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day OTTAWA— I am pleased to extend greetings to everyone celebrating Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. The origin of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day festivities dates ...

June 25, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of Master Corporal Francis Roy OTTAWA—It is with great sadness that my wife, Sharon, and I have learned of the death, in Afghanistan, of Master Corporal Fran...

June 27, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Canadian Multiculturalism Day OTTAWA – As we celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day, I am so pleased to extend greetings to everyone who, from every background, from every c...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 30, 2011 It is a great pleasure for my wife, Sharon, and me to welcome Your Royal Highnesses to Rideau Hall and to Canada. We are delighted to see you again, and to have the opportunity to revisit our memories of your magnificent wedding last spring. It was a privilege to...

Visit to Fogo Island and the Shorefast Foundation Fogo Island, Saturday June 25, 2011 Thank you for that kind introduction. My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to be with you today. From the moment we arrived, we have been struck by the beauty of this part of Canada. We are excited about seeing mor...

Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saturday, June 25, 2011 I want to thank you for warmly welcoming my wife, Sharon, and me to your community today. We arrived this morning aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship George W. Pearkes, and it was a great thrill to see the shores of Fogo Island approac...

Halifax, Wednesday, June 1, 2011 It is my pleasure to present the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards to so many deserving young men and women. And it is especially fitting that the Award is being bestowed here at Pier 21. The Award is about inspiring Canada’s young people to make a difference. To reach...

Membertou, Thursday, June 2, 2011 My wife, Sharon, and I would like to thank you for your warm welcome. We are delighted to visit the Membertou First Nation on our first official visit to Nova Scotia, and to see first-hand the achievements of your community in recent years. What you have accomplishe...

June 5, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Occasion of Canadian Forces Day OTTAWA—I consider it a great honour to serve as commander-in-chief of Canada. Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting some of our ...

Waterloo, Sunday, June 5, 2011 Let me begin by saying how glad I am to be here for the opening of this summit, among so many friends and former colleagues. It was my privilege—during my time as president of the University of Waterloo—to have played a role in the launch of this exciting initiative. T...

Ottawa, Monday, June 6, 2011 Thank you for that very kind introduction. I am always very sceptical when I am asked to give short and inspiring remarks. Let me tell you why. In 1979, I was named vice-chancellor and principal of McGill University; I should say I was a very young and naive principal. I...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 8, 2011 Good morning and welcome to Canada’s home: Rideau Hall. It is an honour for me today to invest you into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and to celebrate 10 years of honouring members of police services across Canada. Canadian police are mainstays in our c...

Rideau Hall, Thursday June 9, 2011 It is a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall. Since becoming governor general, I have welcomed many foreign ambassadors and high commissioners as they begin their postings in Canada. And now, I have the sincere honour of welcoming you, Canada’s Heads of Mission, ...

Toronto, Thursday, June 9, 2011 What a pleasure it is for me to be here today for this important gathering. The occasion is even more special given that this is the Year of India in Canada, which is doing so much to share the wonders of Indian art, culture and history with all Canadians. Truly, we h...