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Sackville, Thursday, September 1, 2011 Let me begin by expressing my deepest thanks for conferring upon me this honorary doctorate of laws. It is a great honour to be recognized by this wonderful university, and to be welcomed into your family in this way. And speaking of family, two of my five daug...

Ottawa, Wednesday, September 7, 2011 I would like to welcome all of you to Carleton University. It is so satisfying to see a room full of young minds, ready to take the plunge into a new and exciting world. In 1979, I was named vice-chancellor and principal of McGill University; I should say I was a...

September 8, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of International Literacy Day OTTAWA— I am delighted that today, September 8, we are celebrating International Literacy Day under the banner of this year’s inspiring theme, ...

Rideau Hall, Friday, September 9, 2011 It is a pleasure for my wife, Sharon, and me to welcome you here today. When we were asked to consider hosting the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign at Rideau Hall, we leapt at the chance, because this campaign exemplifies so much of what we as...

Regina, Sunday, September 11, 2011 Sharon and I are humbled to be here, on our first official visit to Saskatchewan, to honour the bravery and dedication of those members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who, for more than a century, have sacrificed their lives in defence of the people of this c...

Gravelbourg, Sunday, September 11, 2011 My wife Sharon and I are delighted to be here today at the outset of our official visit to Saskatchewan. Thank you for your warm welcome. I have been looking forward to this visit to Gravelbourg, and to learning more about your deep roots in this province. The...

Regina, Saskatchewan, Sunday, September 11, 2011 Good evening. Sharon and I would like to thank you for the very warm welcome to Saskatchewan. We are delighted to be here on our first official visit to the province. Already, we are enamoured with the people and the land. I recall a photo that was sh...

September 10, 2011 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 OTTAWA—On September 11, 2001, our neighbours to the south experienced one of the worst acts of terrorism perpetrated on American soil. Every...

Regina, Monday, September 12, 2011 Sharon and I are pleased to be here. For us to be able to honour Canadians who sacrificed everything to defend the ideals we hold dear is so important. We are also delighted at the opportunity to meet with veterans, men and women who have served overseas and apprec...

Regina, Monday, September 12, 2011 Let me begin by saying how delighted I am to be here this evening for this celebration of excellence in public service. I have always had a profound respect for the public servants of this country, and this gives me a wonderful opportunity to convey my admiration t...

Saskatoon, Monday, September 12, 2011 It is such a pleasure to be here to help honour those who have contributed to Habitat for Humanity, giving those in need access to a good home and the chance to improve their quality of life. In the past year, since becoming governor general, I have participated...

Saskatoon, Tuesday, September 13, 2011 In 1979, I was named vice-chancellor and principal of McGill University; I should say I was a very young and naive principal. I was then asked to give a short, warm and inspiring acceptance speech, and so I went with what I thought might work: stand up to speak...

Rideau Hall, Friday, September 16, 2011 It is always a great honour for my wife Sharon and me to welcome the recipients of the Order of Canada and their loved ones to Rideau Hall. As you know, this building and these grounds have been the home and workplace of every governor general since Confederat...

Waterloo, Saturday, September 17, 2011 It is such a pleasure to be here at the opening of the new Stephen Hawking Centre at the Perimeter Institute. Professor Hawking once said that he had one simple goal: “a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.” Perha...

The Citadelle, Monday, September 19, 2011 My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle in the historic City of Québec. This building has been an official viceregal residence since our country’s Confederation in 1867, and the history of this city goes back four centuries to th...

The Citadelle, Monday, September 19, 2011 My wife, Sharon, and I would like to welcome you to the Citadelle, to the City of Québec, and, most importantly, to Canada. There is no doubt that we are living in an increasingly globalized world, one where the affairs of one country can affect the entire p...

The Citadelle, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Sharon and I are delighted to be here to present the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Military Valour Decorations, Meritorious Service Decorations (Military Division), Canadian Bravery Decorations and the Governor General’s Northern Medal. All of you ha...

Lévis, Wednesday, September 21, 2011 It was a great honour for me this morning to follow a long line of governors general before me in becoming an honorary member of Desjardins Group, alongside my wife, Sharon. There is no doubt that countries all over the world are dealing with difficult financial ...

Quebec City, Monday, September 19, 2011 What a pleasure it is to be here today for this presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognize your achievements here at the historic Chateau Frontenac, and in the City of Québec, which dates back even furth...

Ottawa, Sunday, September 25, 2011 I am honoured to be here to pay homage to the fallen on Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. As a Canadian, and as governor general, I know just how fortunate we are to live in a country where the security and rights of every individual are enshrined i...