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June 30, 2009 OTTAWA–This year, we are celebrating Canada’s 142nd birthday. I would like to take this festive opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contribution that young Canadians are making to the vitality of our country. In every city and every community, from Moncton to Fort Simpson, Ranki...

July 3, 2009 OTTAWA— It is with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of Corporal Nicholas Bulger, killed when an anti-personnel mine detonated near his armoured vehicle while on patrol in the Zhari District, south-west of Kandahar. Corporal Bulger and five of...

July 5, 2009OTTAWA— My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned with renewed sadness of the death of Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, who passed away following injuries incurred in Afghanistan. Master Corporal Michaud, of the 2nd Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment, based at Valcartier (Que.), wa...

July 7, 2009 OTTAWA— My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I have just learned of the tragic news of the helicopter accident that resulted in the deaths of two of our soldiers and a soldier in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Three Canadian soldiers also sustained injuries. Master C...

OTTAWA— It was with profound sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the tragic circumstances that led to the death of Private Sébastien Courcy, member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based in the City of Québec. While participating in an operation ...

July 23, 2009 OTTAWA— I am delighted to extend greetings to all Gaspesians who, “in a spirit of true friendship, authenticity and beauty,” invite us to celebrate today the 475th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Gaspé. What our history books teach us of Cartier’s first expedition in 1534 h...

August 2, 2009 OTTAWA —Words cannot express the pain and sadness we feel upon learning of the deaths of Corporal Christian Bobbitt and Sapper Matthieu Allard, both from 5e Régiment du génie de combat serving as members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment. They were killed on patrol when their v...

August 11, 2009 OTTAWA — The motivational theme the United Nations has chosen for International Youth Day 2009, Sustainability: Our challenge. Our Future, is an invitation to consider the many concerns and ideas young people have in this regard, as well as their initiatives. It is a global challenge...

September 7, 2009OTTAWA— My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were saddened to hear of the death of Corporal Jean-François Drouin and Major Yannick Pépin, both from 5e Régiment du génie de combat serving as members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based in Valcartier, Quebec. An...

OTTAWA— It broke my heart today to learn of the death of Private Patrick Lormand of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22 Regiment, based in Valcartier. This courageous soldier died when the vehicle in which he was travelling ran over one of the improvised explosive devices that insurgents use to spread...

September 17, 2009 OTTAWA—In the space of a few days, we find ourselves once again mourning the tragic loss of one of our soldiers. Private Jonathan Couturier, member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec, was killed and 11 of his comrades in arms were wounded when an...

December 31, 2009 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the occasion of the deaths of four Canadian Soldiers and Canadian journalist Michelle Lang OTTAWA—We have once again been hit with devastating news and cannot imag...

January 13, 2010 Statement from the Governor General following the earthquake in Haiti OTTAWA—Dear friends. Exactly one year ago, I was in Haiti to assess the damage caused by the hurricanes that had cruelly ravaged a country that has suffered so much, and to support the reconstruction efforts there...

January 16, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the occasion of the death of Sergeant John Wayne Faught OTTAWA— As in previous weeks, we are mourning once again. At a time when our soldiers are being deployed on ...

January 17, 2010 Message from the Governor General on the deaths of eight Canadians and of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Haiti OTTAWA—It has now been confirmed that His Excellency Hédi Annabi, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for...

Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Black History Month February 2, 2010OTTAWA - I am very proud to celebrate Black History Month, and to highlight the decisive contributions that African-Canadians have made in building a co...

February 13, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker OTTAWA—An accident in Afghanistan has taken the life of Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker, a member of The Loyal Edmonton Regime...

February 18, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of John Babcock, the last known surviving Veteran to serve Canada in the First World War OTTAWA — It is with a deep sense of loss that my husband, Jean-D...

February 27, 2010 Message From the Governor General Following the Earthquake in Chile OTTAWA—My husband and I, along with the entire Canadian population, were shocked to learn of the very powerful earthquake that struck parts of Chile this morning. From one natural disaster to another, here we are p...

March 8, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Commonwealth Day OTTAWA - Canadians will agree that the theme for the 2010 Commonwealth Day, “Science, Technology and Society”, is a strong call to action and co-operation am...