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[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Gisèle Breau, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General.”]

[Screen Description:  Gisèle Breau is sitting and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Gisèle Breau, Shippagan, New Brunswick, Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (civil Division).”]

[Gisèle Breau, in French:] How did Ottawa ever hear about me, Gisèle Breau, from the tiny town of Shippagan?

For me, it was totally unreal.

I graduated from university, as a social worker.

I was offered a job opportunity here in Shippagan as the director of the Foyer Le Gouvernail.

It's a resource for at-risk youth.

When someone's been tossed around from one foster home to another, then they come to us.

There was one young person that arrived at Le Gouvernail, it took us about 24 hours to realize that this young person was impaired with something we didn't understand.

At that time, I had no experience working with children with autism.

We had to find a solution, because that young person couldn't live with other youths who were dealing with their own completely different challenges.

So I proposed an idea to my board and to the other employees that we should create a home for kids who were on the autism spectrum.

I have a kid who needs us, and I can’t let him down, no matter his condition.

In 2009, the Maison TED was founded.

What children on the autism spectrum need the most are secure surroundings and a set routine.

We don't necessarily do a lot of individual therapy, it's about living as a family.

“Does it bring up good memories?”

[Jean-François, in French:] “Yeah.”

[Gisèle Breau, in French:] “Yeah. Do you want to see your old room?”

[Screen Description: Carole Noël Basque is sitting and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Carole Noël Basque, mother of Jean-François.” Short video clips play as she speaks, showing her son, Jean-François, walking with Gisèle Breau.]

[Carole Noël Basque, in French:] Jean-François is a kid who, particularly as a teenager, needed a lot of support.

We didn't always have the right tools to help him, but at the Maison TED, they treated him as one of their own and always took very good care of him.

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Gisèle Breau, Carole Noël Basque, Jean-François and a series of scenes of Mrs. Breau walking outside on a pier, working in her office and interacting with residents at Maison TED.]

[Gisèle Breau, in French:] It's not because you don't love your children anymore that you apply for placement.

It's because you're overwhelmed by the situation.

[Carole Noël Basque, in French:] When he was close to 19 years old, we brought him back home, and it's been going very well since then, because he was given so many good tools.

So now, he's much more responsible, he's much calmer.

[Gisèle Breau, in French:] Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal has had an impact because I subsequently received a lot of calls from people outside my area who didn't know there was a home for kids with autism spectrum disorder, and who were interested in the possibility of creating something similar in their area.

[Carole Noël Basque, in French:] Gisèle really was our lifeline.

And to this day, I haven't met another person so dedicated to the cause.

[Gisèle Breau, in French:] The person who nominated me, if I could speak to that person, I would say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) recognize remarkable individuals who bring honour to our country through their exceptional deeds in many different fields. gg.ca/honours.” There is a Meritorious Service Medal and Cross above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

Hello,

There are places in Canada, north of the Arctic Circle, where darkness has settled for the winter. For weeks and months on end, the sun does not rise. But winter doesn’t stop life. Now is the time to tell stories, to rejuvenate and to move forward together.

To keep going.

And I have seen light during this difficult and monumental year gone by.

It was a year of change, of facing hard truths.

It was the year of Queen Elizabeth the Second’s passing.

It was a year that brought us together to face devastating climate disasters, community-shattering attacks, and the pain and trauma of children’s unmarked graves at residential school sites.

It was a year of reconciling the past and the present with the promise of the future.

We hold within us this promise. And while this has been a year where finding strength and resilience has been difficult, people have shown that good people doing good can make a difference. Pay attention to acts of kindness compassion, and reconciliation.

Now, we look to 2023, and I enter the year with hope in my heart.

Hope is a great motivator.

We can build a more inclusive country.

We can talk to each other—to better understand each other and respect our different views.

We can improve the lives of others by being generous, innovative, thoughtful and courteous.

We can renew our relationship with Indigenous peoples and with the land.

As this year ends, I encourage us to reach out to our friends and neighbours; to tell our own stories, dreams and plans for our future—

full of hope;

Full of light.

I encourage all of you to spend time together and enjoy the holidays and New Year with families and friends. 

Happy New Year, Canada!

A few moments from the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers ceremony at Rideau Hall on April 21, 2022. 

This video was produced by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. 

[Screen Description: The screen reads, “Mary Simon – Governor General of Canada” in English and French. The background is blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Music plays throughout the video.]

[Screen Description: The video illustrates a series of scenes featuring Governor General Mary Simon, recipients and guests during an honours ceremony.] 

Highlights from the Order of Canada ceremony at Rideau Hall, on May 6, 2022.

This video was produced by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Cette vidéo a été produite par le Bureau du secrétaire du gouverneur général.

[Screen Description: The screen reads, “Mary Simon – Governor General of Canada” in English and French. The background is blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Music plays throughout the video.]

[Screen Description: The video illustrates a series of scenes featuring Governor General Mary Simon, recipients and guests during an honours ceremony.]

Highlights from Governor General Simon’s official visit to Nunavik.

This video was produced by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.

 [Screen Description: The screen reads, “Nunavik, May 2022” in English and French. The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall. The viceregal lion is also seen at the end of the video.]

[Screen Description: The video illustrates a series of scenes featuring Governor General Simon and Mr. Whit Fraser during their official visit to Nunavik. The video also includes images of northern landscapes. Background music plays throughout the video.]

Special moments from the Honours ceremony at Rideau Hall, on May 26, 2022.

This video was produced by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.

[Screen Description: The screen reads, “Presentation of Canadian Honours, 2022.05.26” in English and French. The background is grey and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text.] [Music plays throughout the video.]

[Screen Description: The video illustrates a series of scenes featuring Governor General Mary Simon, recipients and guests during an honours ceremony in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall.] 

Louis St-Cyr shares his experiences as a volunteer and what receiving the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers has meant to him.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Louis St-Cyr, Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Louis St-Cyr is sitting and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Louis St-Cyr, Cantley, Quebec, Recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers”.]

[Louis St-Cyr:] There are two verbs I like to use: to love and to help.

What led me to take my first humanitarian trip?

I think it was a little bit of curiosity, to see how people lived elsewhere.

My first trip was to Guatemala.

We built the second and third floors of a school.

I took a liking to it immediately.

I went to El Salvador five times.

We built a residence for sick people.

After that, I went to the Dominican Republic to build a youth centre.

Eighty percent of people who go there are not necessarily skilled tradespersons.

And when someone has a trade, their skills are in high demand.

They are promoted to foreman automatically, even if they can’t speak Spanish.

These humanitarian trips gave me a new vision of the world, I grow as a person, each time I go.

And today, that work led me to do volunteer work with an organization called "L'Amicale des personnes handicapées physiques de l'Outaouais."

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Mr. St-Cyr, Mr. de Bellefeuille, and a series of scenes featuring Mr. St-Cyr participating in volunteer work, including building homes and working with people with disabilities at L’Amicale des personnes handicapées physiques de l’Outaouais.]

[Screen Description: Mr. Jacques de Bellefeuille is sitting and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Jacques de Bellefeuille, Managing Director of L’Amicale.”]

[Jacques de Bellefeuille:] We are a drop-in centre for people who are physically disabled.

It provides a place for people to come together, to alleviate their isolation, to join in and to achieve their potential.

[Louis St-Cyr:] The first time I went to the centre, it was to fix a leaky faucet for free.

When I saw the condition of the faucet and the kitchen sink, I said to myself, "There's no way to fix that faucet."

So I changed it and the sink as well.

[Jacques de Bellefeuille:] That's how it started. Louis has never stopped.

[Louis St-Cyr:] Then I thought, why not fix the tiles?

After, I renovated the large common room.

I renovated the two bathrooms, and adapted them for their needs.

[Jacques de Bellefeuille:] In an organization like ours, our budgets for renovations or for improving the physical spaces are very limited.

Louis grasped L'Amicale’s mission and folded it under his wings.

[Louis St-Cyr:] So now, for the last two years, I've been the chairperson of L'Amicale.

[Jacques de Bellefeuille:] He has such a big heart.

[Louis St-Cyr:] The impact of receiving this award, of receiving the Sovereign's Medal, is that it can give people the incentive to do the same, to make a small gesture, to give a little bit to society, and to the community...

It gives me personal satisfaction and it's fulfilling.

I love it.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers pays tribute each year to the dedication, passion and extraordinary commitment of volunteers who embody the caring country we aspire to build. gg.ca/honours” There is a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Nancy and Robert Campana, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Nancy and Robert Campana are sitting next to each other. They take turns speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Nancy and Robert Campana, Windsor, Ontario, recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division)”.]

[Robert Campana:] Rocky had friends that...It upset him that they—they never could tell their parents who they were because they were worried about being removed from the house.

But our home was always a safe place for all his friends.

[Nancy Campana:] We lost our son Rocky in 2012, August of 2012.

Rocky attempted to take his own life and then he lived for two days and...

Rocky was always very much an advocate in the LGBTQ community.

He was a gay young man and he came out when he was 17.

Rocky had big plans for the work he wanted to do.

He had talked to me about the work he wanted to do within gay-straight alliances.

There wasn't a GSA available to Rocky when he was in school, but we know he would have been the GSA leader.

We knew when Rocky passed away we wanted to continue his work.

And we did that through partnering with the Windsor Pride Community here, and starting the Run for Rocky.

[Robert Campana:] It's a 5-kilometre run.

We made it a family event.

You didn't have to be a runner, you could walk.

It was more to bring people together and to get the message across, what we were doing.

[Nancy Campana:] The Run for Rocky Event took place for five years.

And through that event, we were able to raise $270,000.

The first thing is that we provide grants to gay-straight alliances within the schools.

We also fund ongoing events, scholarships, education for parents.

All of the Run for Rocky funding is around education because we feel that education is empowerment.

[Screen Description: Malachi Malabre is standing outside and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Malachi Malabre, former president, Riverside GSA.” There is a body of water and large bridge behind him.]

[Malachi Malabre:] When I first came out, I joined my school's GSA and I was referred to the Run for Rocky by one of my teachers.

And they helped fund my GSA, they helped fund everything that we wanted to do.

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Mr. and Ms. Campana, Mr. Malabre, and a series of scenes featuring the Run For Rocky, the office of the Windsor Pride Community, and the city of Windsor, Ontario.]

[Nancy Campana:] The goal of the project was to make Windsor a safer and friendlier space for LGBTQ people.

[Malachi Malabre:] I see now a lot more diversity, a lot more people who are open and comfortable, and feel safe to be able to be themselves.

[Robert Campana:] The Meritorious Award that we received was a wonderful honour and really a surprise to both of us.

And it's just not an award for Nancy and I, it's an award for our whole community, who wrapped their arms around us and believed in what we were doing, and rallied around us.

[Nancy Campana:] That award just gave Windsor more recognition for the diverse community it's become.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) recognize remarkable individuals who bring honour to our country through their exceptional deeds in many different fields. gg.ca/honours.” There is a Meritorious Service Medal and Cross above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]

[Screen Description: The screen reads: “Installation Day”, followed by “Mary May Simon – Governor General of Canada.” The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall. This same image is featured at the end of the video.]

[Screen Description: The video features a series of short clips of Governor General Mary May Simon on the day she was installed as governor general of Canada. These clips feature Her Excellency at the Senate of Canada during her installation ceremony; inspecting the guard at the Senate and at Rideau Hall; laying a flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ottawa; and being greeted by loved ones outside of Rideau Hall. Instrumental music is playing throughout the video.]

[Screen Description: The screen reads: Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada (English), followed by gouverneure générale du Canada (French). The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall. This same image is also seen at the end of the video.]

Hello, bonjour, [Inuktitut greeting]

The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. But it is in the dark that our stars shine the brightest.

And under these stars, we tell our stories.

My own began in Arctic Quebec, now Nunavik, where my parents and grandmother taught me and my siblings all we needed to know about our heritage.

And at night? My Inuit grandmother told us legends.

My favourite was always the story of Sedna.

My grandmother would delight in bringing Sedna to life, telling us how she became the ruler of the Inuit underworld. How the different species of seals, walruses and other sea mammals were born.

Oral histories and creation myths are important parts of Inuit, First Nations and Métis cultures. These traditions, and the act of sharing them, are what connects us to each other and to the land and waters.

Equally unique customs and stories are found in every corner of this country, told in a kaleidoscope of languages.

Stories teach us what we need to know: how to treat each other; the difference between good and evil; how kindness is a strength all of its own. They help us grow into who we want to become.

As we get older, we start to form our own tales, taken from our life’s experiences.

We all have a story to tell.

Through my own story, I learned to find my voice and to use it to empower others still struggling to be heard.

As winter begins, as the stars come out in the sky, open your hearts, remember the past and look to the future you want.

Let the stories pour out.

What is yours?  

December 30, 2021

OTTAWA - A new year gives us a new beginning and new hope for tomorrow.

We have seen hope in the everyday.

Even after a hard year, Canadians are showing resilience, compassion and adaptability.

These Canadians inspire me to keep working, to keep seeking out better ways to help our communities and our children thrive.

In Inuktitut, there is a concept called ajuinnata. Although it means commitment, a promise, a vow, it’s also so much more—we find meaning in its action. 

Together, we are combating the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations and public health measures.

Together, we are thinking of creative and innovative solutions to save our planet.

Together, we are walking the path of reconciliation, on a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding.

With every hard question we ask, we find answers to how we can make Canada a truly inclusive and sustainable country.

Mary Simon

[Screen Description: Governor General Designate Mary Simon is sitting in a room at Rideau Hall. She is talking to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II via video call. The Governor General Designate is wearing a white blazer. The Queen is wearing a floral-patterned, green-and-purple shirt, and a silver maple leaf brooch.]

[The Queen:] It’s very nice to have a chance to talk.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, Your Majesty, it’s wonderful to … to be able to speak to you today.

[The Queen:] So, you’re taking over a very important job.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’m very privileged to be able to do this work over the next few years. I think it’s vitally important for our … for our country.

[The Queen:] Indeed, yes. Because your work… your own work has been … you’ve been very busy.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’ve devoted a lot of my time to working on Arctic issues, because I am from the Arctic...

[The Queen:] Yes. Yes.

[Ms. Simon:] … and also working to get a lot of things organized with the Indigenous peoples and the Inuit of Canada.

[Screen Description: The screen reads: “Mary Simon – Governor General of Canada,” followed by “Gouverneure générale du Canada.” The background is dark grey and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Screen Description: Her Excellency is sitting in a room at Rideau Hall. She is wearing a grey and purple jacket. She is also wearing a Platinum Jubilee pin and an Order of Canada pin. Photos of Her Excellency and Her Majesty The Queen taking part in various events are displayed throughout the video.]

Hello, bonjour, [greeting in inuktitut].

This year, we mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Growing up in Northern Quebec, my grandmother would show us pictures of The Queen. Her Majesty was revered in the Arctic, since the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples is considered sacred.

For the past 70 years, Her Majesty has been a reassuring and constant figure of compassion and poise. She has seen the evolution of our country first-hand during her many visits to Canada, which she calls her "second home."

Much has changed in the last seven decades. We extended the hand of friendship to nations around the world. We made advancements in medical research, most recently with vaccines. We established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and took part in its work. We saw the first Canadian named governor general, then the first woman and now, the first Indigenous person. 

We should be proud of our diverse and inclusive society, and what we have accomplished together.

In communities from coast to coast to coast, people are marking the jubilee by paying tribute to the only monarch many of us have ever known.

All across the country, you will see the unique emblem created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority for this important occasion. Just one of the many commemorations during this important year.

I would like to congratulate Her Majesty on the Platinum Jubilee.

Thank you for your steadfast dedication towards our collective well-being.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “Canadian Honours, Margaret Bell, Medal of Bravery.” There is a viceregal lion above the text.]

[Screen Description: Several words characterizing honours recipients move across a black screen. The screen reads, “Canadian honours presented by the Governor General”.]

[Screen Description: Margaret Bell is walking down a paved road. There is snow on the ground around her.]

[Margaret Bell:] I understand that my life was at risk.

But, I think, if I had to do it again I would.

[Screen Description: Margaret Bell is standing outside near a reservoir of water. She is speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Margaret Bell, Calgary, Alberta, Recipient of the Medal for Bravery”.]

On August 1st, 2017, as I usually do every morning, I come for a walk before work.

As I came into the park and coming down the pathway, I could see in the middle of the reservoir that there was a rowboat.

And as I got closer to this area, I saw that there was actually somebody in the water.

I'm thinking, "Holy cow! I got to see what's going on here, I need to start running."

And as I got closer, I did see that someone was struggling in the water.

They were yelling something, but they were too far away, I couldn't hear.

So, I took my shoes off and I got into the water, and I started swimming towards him.

He was in a panic, screaming and yelling, "Help me! Help me!"

And I said, "I'm coming, I'm coming. It's okay, I'm going to help you."

I pulled him towards me and I said, "Now you need to get onto your back and I'm going to pull you to shore."

[Screen Description: Captain Murray Ost is standing outside and speaking to the camera. The screen reads, “Captain Murray Ost, Calgary Fire Department.” There is a fire truck behind him.]

[Screen Description: Throughout the video, the screen alternates between Ms. Bell and Captain Ost.]

[Captain Murray Ost:] To put yourself in that situation, to enter a still body of water by yourself, she truly exhibited bravery, above and beyond.

[Margaret Bell:] He was so fatigued and so cold. And I could see him at that moment, shaking profusely, very hypothermic. His lips were blue.

And somehow, I lifted him out of the water onto the shore.

I don't know how I did, but I did it.

[Captain Murray Ost:] The temperature of our water, our still water in Calgary, is extremely cold, it's extremely debilitating.

It does not take that long for people to lose their bearings within the water.

Had Margaret not risked herself, entered the water and pulled this individual from the water, I do not think this individual would have survived.

[Margaret Bell:] I feel pride and happiness that I was able to help this young man. And to prolong his journey in life.

He's a 25-year-old man; he has his life in front of him.

For me, receiving the Medal of Bravery is a huge honour.

To the person that recommended me for this award, even though I don't know who it is, I thank you for recognizing my efforts.

And, to be recognized for that is... is... truly humbling.

I... I... I'm speechless.

[Screen Description: Text on a grey background reads, “The Decorations for Bravery recognize the courage of everyday heroes who ignored their own survival instinct and risked their lives to try to save a loved one or perfect stranger whose life was in immediate danger. gg.ca/honours.” There is a Medal of Bravery, a Star of Courage, and a Cross of Valour above the text.]

[Screen Description: A viceregal lion on a grey background.]