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Ottawa, Thursday, September 25, 2008 It is a pleasure for my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and me to be here with you this evening to recognize this important initiative in favour of emerging artists across Canada. In a world in which we are bombarded by images, we can become strangely blind to everyth...

City of Québec, Tuesday, September 30, 2008 I am so pleased to welcome such ardent champions of heritage to this city steeped in history, the City of Québec, rather appropriately known as the Gibraltar of North America, particularly as we celebrate this year the 400th anniversary of its founding by ...

Toronto, Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 Life sometimes puts us to the test. When we suffer an illness, lose a job, survive a natural disaster, go into exile, experience separation, feel the pain of solitude: this is when we need a helping hand, an attentive ear, a kind word, a hot meal or a roof over ...

Richmond Hill, Thursday, October 2, 2008 How are you? Let me look at you. You are all so beautiful. Thank you for such wonderful smiles and shining eyes. Are you always so well behaved? I am so happy to be here and to meet you in this beautiful school. I have very fond memories of my first few years...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 11, 2008 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall and to welcome our overseas guests to Canada. This public institution—which I proudly represent as governor general—is the oldest in the country and represents the historic ties that exist between Cana...

Rideau Hall, Monday, September 15, 2008 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, particularly since Canada is in the midst of exercising one of the fundamentals of democracy. You will have a front‑row seat for debates on issues that are important to Canadians, and will have the oppo...

The Citadelle, Friday, October 10, 2008 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle, especially this year, when we are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the City of Québec. Québec has put on its finery for the occasion and has rediscovered t...

October 10, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were saddened to hear of yesterday's crash of a 15 Wing Tutor training jet near the Moose Jaw aerodrome in Saskatchewan that resulted in the deaths of Captain Bryan Mitchell and Sergeant Charles Senecal of the Canadian Forces. We offer ou...

October 13, 2008 Whether Canada is our place of birth, a place of refuge, or a place of new beginnings—regardless of the circumstances and individual history of our Canadian citizenship—one thing remains: we know that this society to which we belong is built on a foundation of inalienable values tha...

Ottawa, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 We have come together, in this place where people gather to discuss and share opinions and knowledge, for the 29th Art Matters forum, being held in conjunction with the presentation of Governor General’s Medals in Architecture. This will be an expanded version of ...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 16, 2008 They say that architecture is the most immediate and daily expression of culture that exists. Besides solid practical and technical knowledge, those—like you, distinguished architects—who are responsible for designing our living spaces must possess great geniu...

The Citadelle, Sunday, October 19, 2008 It give me great pleasure to welcome you here, at the Citadelle of Québec, during this festive, memorable year in which the city is celebrating its 400th anniversary and where we are proud to host the members of the large Francophonie family. My first State vi...

The Citadelle, Sunday, October 19, 2008 I learned very early in life that freedom, free speech and respect for human dignity could be shamelessly abused. Having lived under the iron rule of a merciless dictatorship, I understand the courage—the temerity, even—that journalists must posses to work in ...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, October 21, 2008 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, especially at this time of the year, when Mother Nature is in her full splendour as fall settles in and winter waits just around the corner. We have come together this afternoon in the spirit of sharing,...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, October 22, 2008 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, especially at this time of the year, when the vibrant colours of fall are on such brilliant display. We have come together this afternoon in the spirit of sharing, dialogue, and reconciliation among pe...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 23, 2008 Ninety years ago, the entire world declared that it was through with war. In Flanders Fields—where the bombs had been dropped, where the fallen had been buried, where the white crosses had been planted as far as the eye could see—wild poppies grew and flourish...

Public Art Matters Forum on Architecture Ottawa, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Today, with this 29th forum, we begin our third Art Matters season, a season we would like to dedicate to the meeting of and dialogue between creative forces and the public. This public forum, held in conjunction with the p...

Rideau Hall, Friday, October 24, 2008 It is a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall for the official presentation of the armorial bearings of the Federal Court. On July 2, 2003, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal became two separate courts. That decision led to a fundamental rethinki...

October 27, 2008 OTTAWA—My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the accident which claimed the life of Gunner Arielle Keyes-Oliver, who was stationed with the 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Our thoughts are also with the four others injured in this acci...

26th Colloque de l’Académie des lettres du Québec Montréal, Friday, October 17, 2007 A STATE OF BLACKNESSAimé Césaire’s Way Nwè kon an péché môwtèl([Translation] As black as sin) “[Translation] I am an animal, a Negro” Arthur Rimbaud, Une saison en enfer “[Translation] Men with African blood in thei...