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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...

January 30, 2017 Message from the Governor General of CanadaFollowing the Attack on a Mosque in the City of Québec OTTAWA?Yesterday’s shooting in the City of Québec was a terrible tragedy. My wife Sharon and I offer our deepest condolences to all those affected by this horrific attack and extend our...

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....

February 1, 2017 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of Black History Month OTTAWA— Each year, in February, we celebrate Black History Month and enrich our understanding and appreciation of Black history, an intrinsic part of the great experience that is Canada. We are among ...

February 6, 2017 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the Sapphire Jubilee of The Queen’s Accession to the Throne OTTAWA—On behalf of all Canadians, I am delighted to convey warm greetings to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to all the people of the Commonwealth on the hi...

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...