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Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, December 11, 2012 I would like to begin by saying how honoured I am to be here at the opening of The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic. What you will do here at this new clinic will benefit so many Canadians and their families. Health care in this country is one of o...

December 10, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Human Rights Day OTTAWA— From its early-modern roots to its current form, the idea of natural, inalienable human rights has come a long way. Today, we remember our histor...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, December 12, 2012 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall, home of the people of Canada, for this Order of Military Merit investiture ceremony. Let me begin with a famous story from the early days of the space race. The story takes place at NASA headquarters, where Ameri...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, December 13, 2012 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this presentation of credentials. In addition to being the historic home of the people of Canada, Rideau Hall has been the home and workplace of every governor general since Confederation. Earlier this month, how...

Montréal, Quebec, Thursday, November 29, 2012 It is an honour to be asked to give the Edith Aston-McCrimmon lecture and a special pleasure to have her family here today. When I think of a life worth living, I think of Edith. She would have been fourteen when I was born. Fourteen years is a significa...

Rideau Hall, Monday, December 17, 2012 Sharon and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall this morning to celebrate John Ralston Saul’s commitment to this office and to Canada. Let me begin by placing this event in context. As a viceregal spouse who made active contributions to a wonderful, si...

December 28, 2012 Governor General of Canada’s New Year’s Message OTTAWA— Happy New Year, Canada! The first of January is a time to reflect on what has passed and to look forward to the days ahead. For Canadians, the year 2012 was full of notable milestones. It was the year in which Her Majesty The ...

December 21, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, to Members of the Canadian Forces OTTAWA—As commander-in-chief, it is my great joy to wish the serving men and women of the Canadian Forces and their families the ver...

Longueuil, Quebec, Wednesday, December 19, 2012 What a thrill it is to be here at the Canadian Space Agency for this historic launch! I have been looking forward to this since my visit to the Agency one year ago. Space missions are literally years in the making, so at the outset I would like to than...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, December 18, 2012 As governor general of Canada—and as a resident of the City of Ottawa—I am delighted to be here today for this commemoration. The year 2012 has been a time of notable milestones, and without a doubt one of the happiest for Canada and for all Commonwealth n...

Rideau Hall, Friday, March 2, 2012 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall today for this investiture ceremony. As governor general, I have the great privilege of meeting regularly with the men and women of the Canadian Forces, and of recognizing their service to Canada. Today, you are being hono...

Toronto, Monday, March 5, 2012 My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to be here today in the company of so many outstanding literary talents. I have been looking forward to this occasion, not least of all because I have long been an advocate of reading and the vital role it plays in our society. More...

March 7, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of International Women’s Day OTTAWA—As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us look back on the efforts made by our grandmothers and mothers to secure a better future for...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, March 8, 2012 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall today. It is a great privilege to continue the tradition started by my predecessor, the Right Honourable Jules Léger, who in 1975 became the first governor general to welcome foreign heads of mission to Canada. Mr. Lég...

March 12, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Commonwealth Day OTTAWA— The roots of Commonwealth Day are firmly planted in Canadian soil: in 1894, the Royal Colonial Society suggested ‘Empire Day’ be celebrated across t...

March 11, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the One-Year Anniversary of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami OTTAWA— One year ago, on March 11, a deadly earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country of Japan. In the aftermat...

March 20, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie OTTAWA— I am delighted to join with all Canadians, as well as with Francophones the world over, in celebrating the Journée inte...

March 21, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination OTTAWA— Canadians are fortunate to live in a multicultural society, where diversity is both a source of gr...

Ottawa, Thursday, March 22, 2012 I would like to begin by congratulating all of the recipients of the 2011 Child Welfare League of Canada Achievement Awards. I commend all of you for your dedication to creating brighter futures for Canadian children. Now, perhaps you are wondering about me, “Who is ...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Thank you, David, for your thoughtful words. And let me add my own welcome to all of you. As you can see, David shares my passion for the well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis families. In fact, supporting families and children is one of the three pillars ...