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July 6, 2014 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the Lac-Mégantic Tragedy OTTAWA—One year ago today, the town of Lac-Mégantic was devastated by a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. In the weeks and months that followed, its citizens banded togeth...

August 4, 2014 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Beginning of the First World War OTTAWA— It is a solemn responsibility for me to mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. When war broke out in Europe in August 1914,...

August 15, 2014 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of National Acadian Day OTTAWA—It gives me great pleasure to celebrate National Acadian Day! Acadians settled in Canada over 400 years ago. Against all odds, those brave men and women attempted the journey and crossed the oc...

Rideau Hall, Sunday, August 17, 2014 I would like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall Movie Nights for this special presentation under the night sky! And what a wonderful gathering this is going to be. It’s a Rideau Hall first; never before have we held an outdoor movie night to screen Canadian fil...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, August 19, 2014 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I would like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall Movie Nights for this special presentation under the night sky! This is going to be a wonderful gathering. And I can’t think of a better place for an outdoor movie night to screen Canadian ...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 3, 2014 It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall for this presentation of letters of credence. I would also like to welcome you, on behalf of all Canadians, to our country. I hold your work in the highest regard. You have travelled far away fr...

Québec, Quebec, Friday, September 5, 2014 It gives me great pleasure to be here at this gathering of honorary colonels of the Royal Canadian Air Force, to celebrate what you do and to highlight its importance. First, though, I would like to tell you a story. When I was born, Canada was already embro...

Québec City, Quebec, Friday, September 5, 2014 I am delighted to be here with you today for the dedication of this impressive statue, as we mark the 150th anniversary year of the Québec Conference. The Québec Conference was truly an important event in the history of this country. Held in the wake of...

Fermont, Quebec, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to join you here today. Thank you for such a warm welcome. What a great way to celebrate Fermont’s 40th anniversary! Our visit has already been a memorable one, and we are grateful to all those who organized this wonder...

La Citadelle, Thursday, October 2, 2014 It is wonderful to welcome you to the Citadelle and to Québec City for this ceremony. This city is such a fitting place for diplomatic greetings, as it has such a long and colourful history, rooted in the idea of working together. For one example, let us take ...

The Citadelle, Friday, October 3, 2014 Good morning, and thank you everyone for being here. Sharon and I are delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle for this presentation of honours and awards. Service to community and to Canada can take many forms, and today’s ceremony is proof of that. Those of ...

La Citadelle, Friday, October 3, 2014 I am honoured to welcome you to The Citadelle for the presentation of these medals for bravery and decorations for meritorious military service. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Meritorious Service Cross, Military Division. And in fact, I am particula...

The Citadelle, Saturday, October 4, 2014 Sharon and I are delighted that all of you have joined us here on this beautiful day for the Fall Celebration. Welcome! The Citadelle is a remarkable site, and represents the grandeur and history of this more-than 400-year-old city. Steeped in history, this p...

Québec, Quebec, Monday, October 6, 2014 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY It is a pleasure to join all of you here for this presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In its more than 400 year history, Québec City has been home to many who have helped build this community, this province and this nation. An...

Quebec City, Quebec, Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Thank you for your warm welcome. I am delighted to be here to open this important international summit. Let me start by thanking Desjardins Group and the International Co-operative Alliance for teaming up once again to host this gathering. I would also l...

The Citadelle, Tuesday, October 7, 2014 My wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle, one of Canada’s jewels in the historic City of Québec. This building has been the second official residence of the governors general since our country’s Confederation in 1867, and the histor...

October 5, 2014 Message from Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston on the Occasion of Mental Illness Awareness Week OTTAWA—Mental Illness Awareness Week, coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, g...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 9, 2014 Sharon and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall and to Canada. Your visit here is a sign of the enduring friendship that exists between Canada and Finland. I am grateful that you have come all this way to discuss our future collaborations. Here with yo...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 9, 2014 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, President Niinistö and Mrs. Haukio, as well as your entire delegation, to Canada. Your visit here reminds us of how much our two countries have in common. We are both bilingual nations, and have similar commitments to ...

Beaconsfield, Quebec, Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Thank you for welcoming me here today. It may surprise you to know that, like you, I have come here to learn. I readily admit to knowing only half as much as I would like to know, and knowing barely a fraction of what there is to know. I am a lifelon...