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Rideau Hall, Wednesday, October 25, 2006 We need only take one look at the world map to realize that we cannot take our freedom for granted. Though we are privileged to live in a country where freedom is a deeply held belief, with that privilege comes a responsibility. The responsibility to help wom...

Gatineau, Wednesday, October 25, 2006 I am very pleased to join you on such a special occasion. I think it is wonderful that the Saidye Bronfman Award is going to become part of the Governor General’s Awards for Visual and Media Arts. The change makes perfect sense. Since it was first presented in 1...

Toronto, Thursday, October 26, 2006 I am so pleased to join you this morning at the Ontario Children and Youth Summit. As you are probably aware, when I was nominated 27th governor general of Canada, I decided to make youth one of my main priorities. I embarked on an exciting journey, crisscrossing ...

Toronto, Thursday, October 26, 2006 Looking through the list of recordings that have been recognized by the MasterWorks program over the years, it is difficult not to see symbolic milestones in one’s own life. Films like Mon oncle Antoine, or Les bons débarras; the music of Starmania, Gilles Vigneau...

2006 MasterWorks Gala Toronto, Thursday, October 26, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY “The Future of the Past is found in Memory” So wrote French writer Paul Valéry, indeed a fitting summary of what is at stake for culture in the 21st century, which depends so much on audiovisual memory. Without question...

Calgary International Film Festival Calgary, Sunday, October 1, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY The camera is like a razor blade. It slices into what’s real, taking samples to piece together what could be called the language of reality. The camera produces an illusion of what’s real. It depicts what may...

Edmonton International Literary Festival Edmonton, Saturday, October 14, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY THERE IS NO SINGLE TRUTH One day in 1997, Fred Reed returned from Iran full of enthusiasm with a challenge to my pessimism about that country. A new wind of hope had sprung up, he told me, with a ton...

Rideau Hall, Friday, October 27, 2006 With the approach of Remembrance Day, I have found myself reflecting on the meaning of duty, and courage, and sacrifice. An illustration of these noble ideas can be found in the work of combat engineers during the D-Day landings in Normandy. As you know, the dut...

Presentation of the Governor General’sPerforming Arts Awards Rideau Hall, Friday, November 3, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Since the beginning of this mandate, my wife and I have wanted to create a forum for cultural dialogue, which we felt was a vital part of the presentation of the awards for perfo...

Rideau Hall, Friday, November 3, 2006 I have always believed that the arts and artists themselves should be given a vital place within any community. Vital, because the arts provide a unique outlet for the hopes, fears and desires of so many. Vital, because the arts are the realization of years of s...

Ottawa, Saturday, November 4, 2006 What is the purpose of this gala? Why have we gathered here this evening? Why should we celebrate artists? Why? Because the arts have a vital role to play. Because years of study and hard work deserve to be recognized. Because the arts and artists enrich our lives,...

Ottawa, Sunday, November 5, 2006 The monument we are unveiling today represents four centuries of history. No small undertaking! The choice was narrowed down to fourteen individuals who helped to shape our country. Women and men whose heroism set them apart, from the seventeenth century colonial war...

Ottawa, Monday, October 30, 2006 Good afternoon! It’s wonderful to see so many of you here today. Thank you Mr. Greenhill, CIDA, and, in particular, the youth action unit, for receiving me so warmly at this youth forum on international development. We are living in a world in which rapid advances in...

Montreal, Friday, November 10, 2006 I am delighted to be here with you today to continue the tradition according to which the Governor General of Canada is your “visitor.” McGill University is one of our oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. Its influence has far exceeded our ...

Ottawa, Tuesday, November 14, 2006 I am so honoured to join you today as you celebrate your 10th anniversary and as you prepare to embark on a new and exciting journey as the National Alliance for Children and Youth. When I received your invitation, I was fascinated to read about the extraordinary e...

Algiers, Algeria, Monday, November 20, 2006 At last, I’ve made it to Africa. I have been waiting for this moment my entire life. For me, as a Black woman, this continent where I now find myself, speaking to you for the very first time, is where it all began. My ancestors were torn from their lives, ...

Algiers, Algeria, Tuesday, November 21, 2006 I am honoured to be delivering the opening address at this Canada-Algeria Business Forum. The fact that you have come out in such numbers speaks volumes of the rich partnership between our two countries. And I dare say that now is the time to consider a s...

Algiers, Algeria, Tuesday, November 21, 2006 I would like to begin by thanking Ambassador Robert Peck for hosting this dinner in honour of my State visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Since my arrival, I have met with women, men and youth who are the very lifeblood of modern‑day Al...

Bamako, Mali, Thursday, November 23, 2006 Good morning and thank you for the honour you do me in allowing me the opportunity to speak to the National Assembly of Mali. I am especially touched knowing that Nelson Mandela is the only other head of State having been given the privilege of addressing th...

Bamako, Mali, Thursday, November 23, 2006 This morning, I had the honour of addressing the National Assembly of Mali to tell the Malian people that my fellow Canadians are proud to walk beside them, hand in hand, toward a world that puts human dignity at the heart of our aspirations. This evening, o...