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Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards Gala Toronto, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 It gives me great pleasure, as Governor General of Canada, but also as a former journalist, to present this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to a leading figure in Canadian journalism. Previous recipients of this award includ...

Presentation of the Michener Award for Journalism Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 10, 2009 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall for the presentation of the Michener Award for Journalism, which was named after my predecessor, whose motto was “Truth in the Ser...

Roundtable Discussion to Mark the One-Year Anniversary ofthe Government of Canada’s Official Apology to Former Students of Residential Schools Ottawa, Thursday, June 11, 2009 History will remember the words of sorrow and profound regret expressed exactly one year ago today in the heart of Parliament...

Honorary Doctorate from the Université Laval City of Québec, Sunday, June 14, 2009 It is with great pleasure and humility that I thank the Université Laval most sincerely for conferring upon me this honorary doctorate. I am especially moved because this institution is the first Francophone universit...

Presentation of Credentials (Islamic Republic of Pakistan,Republic of Malta, Union of the Comoros, State of Qatar) Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 16, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall to receive your credentials and would like to extend a very warm welcome to Canada. From the economic cr...

Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 18, 2009 It is always such a pleasure to celebrate the return of the Ceremonial Guard to Rideau Hall and Parliament Hill. We are joined this morning by members of the public. Welcome, one and all! This year marks the 50th annivers...

Presentation of Decorations for Bravery Rideau Hall, Friday, June 19, 2009 Believe me when I tell you that for me, this ceremony is one of the most moving ceremonies over which I preside here at Rideau Hall. And if it were possible, I would invite everyone to attend who has lost hope in humanity and...

Vernissage for the "Mariage entre le frêne et le bouleau" Exhibit Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, Sunday, June 21, 2009 I would like to begin by telling you how delighted my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden, and I are to be here with you. It is said that only the tree that has withstood the...

Community Feast on the Occasion of National Aboriginal Day Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, Sunday, June 21, 2009 For my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden, and I, it is a great pleasure and distinct honour to share this meal with the Mashteuiatsh community, the Aboriginal people from the Sagu...

Discussion on Youth and Regional Vitality Saguenay (Chicoutimi), Monday, June 22, 2009 We are very pleased to again be here among the “bleuets,” as you are affectionately known, in this former pulp mill that has been converted into a museum—an ode, I believe, to your region’s vibrancy. Here, in the ...

Ottawa, Saturday, July 1st, 2006 Let me begin by telling you what a wonderful opportunity it has been for me to travel across this country over the past nine months. I have been amazed to discover regions I knew little about, to see Canada’s breathtaking natural splendours, and to hear stories that ...

Taped at Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Dear friends, Since being appointed Governor General of Canada nearly one year ago, I have been travelling across this vast country of ours and have been amazed to discover regions I knew little about, breathtaking natural splendours, and stories that tou...

St. John’s, Thursday, July 6, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden and I would like to thank you for your very kind welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador. I would like to begin by saying that on July 1st in Ottawa, I participated in a remembrance ceremony at the National War Me...

St. John’s, Thursday, July 6, 2006 I would like to begin by thanking our hosts, their Honours the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Roberts, for their very kind hospitality, their thoughtfulness, and most especially the “friendliness” they have demonstrated since Jean-Daniel, Marie-Éden and I first arriv...

St. John’s, Saturday, July 8, 2006 As a maritime nation, Canada has few equals. To begin with, at more than 240,000 kilometres, our coastline is, by far, the longest in the world. As the members of the Coast Guard know, more than 100,000 vessels pass through Canadian waters, carrying some 360 millio...

La Grand’Terre, Monday, July 10, 2006 I am delighted to be here with you today. And how wonderful to speak to you in French! That language we all cherish, that we must keep alive and sparkling with our varied accents throughout the Americas for generations to come. The French fact is intimately link...

Perugia, Italy, Friday, July 21, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Thank you for the great honour you do me in conferring upon me this honorary doctorate. I am especially moved because you have given me the opportunity to look back on my youth and to reflect with you on the reasons that led me to study th...

Saluto agli ex-allievi diplomati dell’Università per stranieri di Perugia, sabato 22 luglio 2006 FA FEDE SOLO IL TESTO PRONUNCIATO Vorrei tornare un istante col pensiero alla cerimonia che ha avuto luogo ieri, durante la quale ho avuto il grande onore di ricevere il Dottorato honoris causa. Ne sono ...

Perugia, Italy, July 22, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I would like to begin by telling you how deeply moved I was by yesterday’s ceremony, in which you conferred upon me an honorary doctorate. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me. Being here, in this city that opened my eyes and my hear...

Discorso in occasione della consegna del Dottorato honoris causa dell’Università per stranieri di Perugia, venerdì 21 luglio 2006 Sono molto commossa per l’onore che mi fate conferendomi questa laurea honoris causa, tanto più che così facendo mi date l’occasione di tornare indietro con la memoria e ...