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Rideau Hall, Monday, January 23, 2017 I begin by quoting my predecessor, Georges Vanier, after whom this medal is named. “The leaders of a profession,” he once said, “are those who fashion its greatness.” Today we recognize Mr. James Eldridge— “Jim”—for decades spent fashioning the greatness of a tr...

Ottawa, Monday, January 23, 2017 It is a special pleasure to be here with you today as the spouse of the current governor general and commander-in-chief. David and I share a strong admiration and respect for our military and their families. It was Madame Vanier and her husband General Vanier, the Go...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, January 28, 2017 Good morning, everyone! Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third governor general, once said that breathing the cold winter air made him feel like he could “toss about the pine trees” here at Rideau Hall! Well, that’s one way to keep warm! I have two other suggestions: G...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, January 31, 2017 Welcome to Rideau Hall. Welcome to your citizenship ceremony. Today is a day of celebration, but I begin with words of condolence for victims of the terrible shooting at the mosque in Quebec City. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected....

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Canada: a nation of losers. That’s right—losers! I’ll bet you weren’t expecting to hear that from the governor general today! But that was the opinion of Hugh MacLennan, a five-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award and one of Canada’s greates...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, February 7, 2017 What a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this celebration of excellence. Let me start with a quote from Gerhard Herzberg that was kindly sent to me by his daughter, Agnes, who is herself a distinguished academic at Queen’s University. It’s from a speec...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 What a delight to welcome each of you to Rideau Hall and to Canada. We have a long history of diplomacy in this country, from the treaties and alliances signed by European newcomers and Indigenous peoples to our present-day ties with the world. At its best, d...

Rideau Hall, Friday, February 17, 2017 I begin by acknowledging that this gathering is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples. Welcome, everyone, to Rideau Hall and to a very special Order of Canada investiture. Today marks the kickoff of our 50th anniversary celebrations...

Stockholm, Sweden, Monday, February 20, 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Thank you for giving us such a warm reception to Sweden. Sharon and I, and the members of our Canadian delegation, are delighted to be here among such great friends of Canada. Today’s welcoming ceremony was impressive and humbling, ...

Kanadas generalguvernör David JohnstonTal vid den statsbankett som ges av Deras Majestäter Konungen och Drottningen av Konungariket SverigeStockholm, Sverige, måndagen den 20 februari 2017 DET TALADE ORDET GÄLLER Tack för det mycket varma mottagande som vi har fått i Sverige. Sharon och jag, och hel...

Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, February 21, 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. With me are members of the Canadian delegation—including our minister of science, Kirsty Duncan—who embody the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that our countries share. They’...

Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, February 21, 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I was born just outside the town of Sudbury in northern Ontario, Canada. It’s a city famous for its mining industry and its minerals, left behind by a two-billion-year-old meteor impact. But not long ago, a discovery of a very diff...

Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday, February 21, 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY On behalf of my wife, Sharon, and the entire Canadian delegation, I thank you for welcoming us so warmly to Sweden. We’re so pleased to be here among friends! And we’re so delighted to be here at this magnificent museum. It’s truly...

Malmö, Sweden, Wednesday, February 22, 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Just over two decades ago, Canada held a major public inquiry called the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The purpose was to study and find ways to address challenges in the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal p...

Gothenburg, Sweden, Thursday, February 23, 2017 I am delighted to be here in Gothenburg, one of the gateways to this wonderful country. Since my arrival, I’ve been learning so much about how Canada and Sweden are working together, and I’m encouraged by the many things we have in common. With me toda...

Montréal, Quebec, Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 Welcome to this presentation of Canadian honours in this very special place. Thank you all for being here. The Meritorious Service Decorations and the Medal for Volunteers are among Canada’s highest honours. They recognize exceptional deeds and extraordin...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 I would like to begin by acknowledging that this gathering is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples. Welcome, everyone, to Rideau Hall for this celebration of the visual and media arts. “This is my country,” Emily Carr once wrote i...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, March 2, 2017 I’d like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall. I’ve always been a big believer in face-to face diplomacy, which is such an important element of building and maintaining a close relationship. Just last week, I was in Sweden undertaking a State visit, where I was r...

Ottawa, Friday, March 3, 2017 No one ever imagines he or she will be standing on a platform being recognized for inspiring people about mental health. But not imagining does not lessen the pride I feel tonight on receiving the Royal’s Inspiration award. From the moment six years ago when I became a ...

Rideau Hall, Monday, March 6, 2017 What a pleasure to welcome so many fine men and women in uniform to Rideau Hall in this, Canada’s 150th birthday year. One of the great honours of my life has been to serve as commander-in-chief of Canada. I always learn something when I speak to members of the Can...