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July 4, 2007 “We are painfully aware of the risks faced by the members of our Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and the harsh realities they face each and every day. The toll tragically rose again this morning when six of our soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were killed when their vehicle struck an e...

August 10, 2007 "Throughout my travels across Canada, and more recently during my State visit to Brazil, I was delighted to meet young people who are making themselves heard, offering solutions, and achieving their aspirations—young people who are eager to explore the wide range of knowledge at your...

August 17, 2007 “My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Bradshaw. He was an exceptional ambassador of the arts and culture. His name will forever be associated with the opera, which he ardently promoted. The Canadian Opera Company (COC), the ent...

August 22, 2007 “Today has been a very sombre day. With heavy hearts, we greeted the arrival of Private Simon Longtin’s casket and mourned his loss with his family and friends. And then we received more tragic news right there on the tarmac at CFB Trenton: we learned of the deaths of Master Warrant ...

August 30, 2007 “My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were grieved to hear of the unfortunate event that took the life of Major Raymond Ruckpaul, an armoured officer based at the NATO Allied Land Component Command Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and who was serving in Kabul, Afghanistan with t...

September 25, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn that Corporal Nathan Hornbburg of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment in Calgary, Alberta, was killed and that four other soldiers were injured under tragic circumstances West of Kandahar in Afghanistan. Everyday, the...

November 9, 2007 We shall remember once again this year, and in so doing give meaning to the poppy we wear over our hearts. This gesture, which we make every November 11th, reminds us of the incredible sacrifice made by thousands of men and women, driven solely by the conviction that peace and freed...

November 17, 2007 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the recent deaths of two soldiers Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp, 5e Ambulance de campagne, and Private Michel Jr. Lévesque, 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, both based out of Valcartier, Quebec, as ...

November 19, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are pleased to join with all Canadians in extending our warmest wishes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. Canadians are proud of the strong ties we s...

November 29, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of the Right Honourable Antonio Lamer, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Justice Lamer was a respected member of the legal profession who had tremendous respect for individual freedo...

December 24, 2007 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were deeply saddened to learn of Oscar Peterson’s passing away. It was with much emotion that we saw the courage he evoked while on stage, even not that long ago, and in spite of his health problems. Having lived fifteen years in the same neighbo...

December 30, 2007 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gunner Jonathan Dion, a soldier with the 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada, during his mission in Afghanistan. Gunner Dion responded to the call with incredible courage. He was convin...

December 31, 2007 The French language and culture first set down roots in this land—and in the hearts of those living here—four hundred years ago. Today, these roots cover an entire continent. The French language and culture blossomed and flourished here in the Americas and they became a means of ex...

January 7, 2008 OTTAWA — My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Warrant Officer Hani Massouh and of Corporal Éric Labbé, both from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based out of Valcartier, during a tragic accident southwest of Kandahar City, in Afg...

January 15, 2008 OTTAWA — It was with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I heard of the death of Trooper Richard Renaud, whose vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during a patrol north of Kandahar City. He will be sorely missed by all of his colleagues from the 12e Régimen...

January 18, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter, Marie-Éden, and I join with all Canadians in sending our very best wishes to Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands on the occasion of her 65th birthday. Canada and the Netherlands have long shared a close relatio...

January 24, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Étienne Gonthier of the 5e Régiment du génie, when the vehicle he was in rolled over yet another of those deadly explosive devices that continue to claim lives in Afghanistan. Two more of ou...

February 4, 2008 The history of Black people on this continent tells the story of our emancipation, of our long struggle for freedom. It is the story of all the pitfalls and injustices we overcame, but it is also the story of all the victories we won, victories that allowed us to dream of a world th...

October 20, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Canada's Citizenship Week OTTAWA—The Canadian citizen is not easily defined. Some of us were born here; others have chosen Canada as a home for themselves and their famili...

October 27, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Death of the Honourable Helen Hunley OTTAWA—My wife, Sharon, and I were saddened by the recent passing of the Honourable Helen Hunley, former lieutenant governor of Alberta. As the pr...