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June 4, 2008 On this day, 20 years ago, the Canadian Heraldic Authority came into being. Since that time, thousands of coats of arms, flags and badges have been granted and registered. As a result, Canadian heraldry has become renowned for its creativity, its artistic excellence, and its blending of...

June 8, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were saddened to receive news of the tragic death of Captain Jonathan (Jon) Sutherland Snyder, a member of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team serving with the 1st Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton,...

June 13, 2008 It was only a few days ago that I watched Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations deliver a rousing speech about the tragic history of the Indian Residential Schools. In the presence of more than 200 young professionals from across the country, he laid bare horrific storie...

June 13, 2008 It gives me great pleasure, during this National Public Service Week, to salute all our federal employees, who certainly deserve to take the time to celebrate their accomplishments and to reflect together on this year’s theme: “Recognizing our history while building our tomorrow.” I ta...

June 20, 2008 OTTAWA— Throughout my travels, I have seen the many faces of Canada’s Aboriginal people. They are the faces of ancient wisdom, resourcefulness, empowerment, self-confidence and hope in the future. I have witnessed traditions being passed from one generation to the next, and felt the de...

June 24, 2008 This year, we proudly celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Québec. Building on the creation of Port Royal in Acadia in 1604, that is over four centuries of a Francophone presence in North America! On this June 24, 2008, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, celebrated with...

June 27, 2008 Diversity is at the very heart of Canadian history. Many different people coexisted all across this vast land for thousands of years, and there was an abundance of communities, ethnic groups, cultures and languages that we cannot even imagine. Tragically, colonization almost made this ...

July 1, 2008 Dear friends, For almost three years, I have served as governor general. This time with you has flown by! When I look back over the road I have travelled, I see it as a journey. A journey that has taken me from one end of this extraordinary country to the other. As I travel from coast t...

July 5, 2008 OTTAWA — My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey, a Military Policeman from the Military Police Detachment in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, on assignment in the Persian Gulf region. Corporal Downey always wanted to serve his c...

July 7, 2008 OTTAWA—It is with a very heavy heart that I learned of the tragic death of Private Colin William Wilmot, who perished while on patrol in Kandahar. The driving force behind the international convention against antipersonnel landmines, Canada is pained to see another of its sons struck do...

July 19, 2008 OTTAWA—The terrible news of the death of Corporal James (Jim) Hayward Arnal, an infanteer serving with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, is another cruel blow to all of us, wherever we may be. Like his comrades, Corporal Arnal always faced the...

August 11, 2008 Since the beginning of my mandate, I have had the great pleasure of meeting with youth across Canada and in the other countries I have visited, young people from every background, every walk of life, every segment of society. And whatever their situation, they all shared a desire to ...

August 9, 2008 OTTAWA—Today, our nation mourns the loss of another proud member of our Canadian Forces. Master Corporal Joshua Brian Roberts, a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba, lost his life in a tragic incident. Throughout the cours...

August 11, 2008 OTTAWA— Canada lost another brave soldier today. The entire country shares this pain and mourns this terrible loss. Master Corporal Erin Doyle of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and attached to the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantr...

August 13, 2008 OTTAWA— My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were devastated to hear of the deaths of two Canadian humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan. This sudden and brutal attack is another cruel blow to our nation as we continue to grieve. Canada is recognized the world over for its compass...

August 21, 2008 OTTAWA—As we continue to mourn and deplore the recent loss of generous and courageous Canadians, members of the military and civilians, who had gone to Afghanistan to give the very best of themselves, we find ourselves once again cruelly faced with the tragic deaths of Sergeant Shawn...

September 3, 2008 OTTAWA— My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are dismayed by the tragic news of the death of Corporal Andrew Paul Grenon, Corporal Michael James Alexander Seggie, and Private Chadwick James Horn of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man...

September 7, 2008 OTTAWA— A Canadian family, the men and women serving in our Canadian Forces and the whole country are mourning the tragic death of one of our soldiers during his mission in Afghanistan. My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are deeply affected by this loss and the pain that comes w...

September 12, 2008 It was with tremendous sadness that I learned of the death of the Honourable Gérald Beaudoin. Known and respected as one of Canada’s eminent constitutional experts and universally appreciated for his availability to others, his kindness and his good humour, he was the quintessenti...

September 13, 2008 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are deeply saddened by the death of Major Luc Racine. A member of the Embassy of Canada in Mali, Major Racine was serving with the Military Training Assistance Program (MTAP) at the Peacekeeping School in Bamako. Canada has lost a member of it...