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Assunta DiLorenzo: Claudine Roy has a contagious passion for her region.

Claudine Roy: After 18 years, I can say that it's a great success that the Grandes Traversées, people come from all over the world. We have journalists, exceptional coverage. And what is very remarkable is when people leave this part of the country, they leave with the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, and I always say Canada, tattooed on their hearts because they live an experience that is truly unique.

no dialogue

Governor General Julie Payette: This is the season of remembrance. We wear the poppy. We stand in silence and remembrance and we stand on guard for those who have worn the uniform and still do today.

The purpose of the Order of Military Merit is not just to recognize an accomplishment, but the commitment of an entire career and life over the years.

(Applause)

(V.O.): Station, this is Houston, are you ready for the event?

David Saint Jacques (DSJ): Houston this is Station, I am ready.

GG Julie Payette (GG) : David, here at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa. We see you, and we hear you loud and clear. How do you hear us?

DSJ: Hello Julie, loud and clear from the space station.

GG : We are all very impressed by the work you do and the generosity with which you share this experience. Thank you for being here. Let me tell you that we’re here with friends, colleagues and students, but also have someone really special right next to me who is going to say hi.

Premier Ministre Justin Trudeau (PM) : Hi David ! What a pleasure to see you in space. As you know, science is extraordinarily important to Canadians, it’s important to this government, and our capacity to continue to be world-class in our contributions to science and to space is really important to me, to you, and I think all Canadians. So I’m going to turn it over right now.

Student 1: Hi, my name is Emilia, and I wanted to ask you, is it possible to see the pollution in space? For example, plastics in the oceans?

DSJ: Generally yes, you can subtly see the effects of pollution. Around big cities you can see a kind of smog. And then of course you can take photographs of icebergs, glaciers, polar zones, and compare them with old photographs and see that the melting ice is spreading.

Student 2: Hi, my name is Simon, and my question is what kind of experiments or research are you doing in space?

DSJ: We can do molecular biology research, pharmacology research, materials science research, astrophysics research that is done here, a lot of human psychology research, more technological research on how to survive in space, how to improve our life support systems here. That's what's fantastic about space research that it always ends up being of use to all of us.

Student 3: Hello, my name is Maria and my question is why is Canada’s space program so important and what are the benefits?

DSJ: I’m glad you asked this. There’re many aspects. First, I talked a lot about all the health research we do. All the research we do on health in space has benefits for everybody in Canada. And that’s because basically being in space is kind of bad for your body. The way in which it is bad for your body resembles real disease on earth. So, whenever we fix a problem for astronauts, we fix a problem that’s a real disease on earth. I want to quote Madame Payette, here, a nice quote I heard from her, “If you can go alone, maybe you can go fast, but if you go as a group, you can go further.”

Student 4: My name is Serena, and I’m 16 years old. I thought it was really amazing to have the opportunity to speak with the International Space Station, and I really loved his answers about the application of medicine in space and on earth. I never thought of it that way and I can see space as a really valuable thing going forward for Canada.

Student 5: Hello, my name is (inaudible) I'm 13 years old and today I had the opportunity to speak with David St. Jacques, an astronaut who is on the International Space Station. It's really an experience that not many people have the opportunity to have. So I am very pleased that I was able to speak with the Prime Minister and the Governor General of Canada, it is very important.

GG: Thank you David. We can’t do anything alone, and I know there is an enormous support structure out there for you. We are very impressed, very proud of you.

PM: Bravo David, thanks a lot!

DSJ: Thanks Julie, thank you Prime Minister, thanks everyone.

(V.O.) Thank you Canadian Space Agency and participants.

GG Julie Payette: It is important to keep all the elements of the story. The good shots, like the hard shots.

The study of history teaches us to think critically. To look about the past, to understand the present, so we can do and work for a better future. It’s perhaps the most factual and actual of all studies.

Whether you teach history, whether you write about history, whether you share and communicate history, history is always relevant. Particularly in today’s fast paced world, where information is everywhere. We’re bombarded, and it’s starting to get harder and harder to differentiate truth from untruth.

In this context of rapid change, the study of history is more important than ever. To tell it with verifiable facts, rigorously, and to communicate it accurately.

This rigour, this engagement of you, history teachers, scholars, curators, students, and history buffs, become more relevant than ever and more important than ever.

TEXT ON SCREEN

This portrait will be on public display in Government House in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, as of September 20, 2018.

GG Julie Payette: But you are here today because you’ve been nominated, because you’ve done something extraordinary, you’ve pushed the definition of volunteerism even further.

MC: Tad Milmine. Tad Milmine has spent countless hours speaking out against bullying at high schools and youth organizations across the country and abroad. He is a model of determination and resiliency within the LGBTQ community. Mr. Milmine.

Tad: Well for me, the reason why I’m so inspired to keep doing it is because on a daily basis, I get probably several dozen if not one hundred emails from young people and those emails are telling me what’s going on in schools and the challenges they’re facing, and how alone some of these individuals are feeling. There are so many young people out there who just need that little bit of support or guidance or just a little extra assistance in their day, and it’s a privilege and honour that I get to be that person.

MC: For the past 10 years, Olivia Monton has devoted her time to helping others at home and abroad. In 2014, she established Live for the Cause, a foundation that encourages volunteerism and philanthropy in Montreal.

Olivia: So we currently have over 35 young people volunteering for Live for the Cause, for my foundation and they motivate me. Their excitement and energy and engagement in what we’re doing is really what drives me.

When you’re involved in something wholeheartedly and you feel connected to it, that’s where the enrichment comes in and that’s where it can make your life a lot more meaningful and purposeful.

GG Julie Payette: You come from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, and you work in all spheres of society, not only with the poor, but with the young, the elderly. People in our armed forces, our veterans. And for that, we thank you.

MC: Annick Bernatchez. Annick Bernatchez coordinated the Relay for Life of her community, as well as a mini-relay for her students.

Annick: That's what it brings me... all the pride it brings me, you don't get paid when you volunteer, but it's so rewarding to volunteer. It's hard to explain. You get a lot of love from so many people around you. We help people and it comes back to us, it's a really nice exchange.

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Christine McIntyre: We are so pleased that you are able to join us for this ceremony, where we welcome the Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument to its new home at the entrance to Rideau Hall.

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GG Julie Payette: Thank you for being here and to witness this very important moment, and thank you for all that you do to remember. We will always remember. Merci.

GG Julie Payette: Hello, what is your name?

Girl: Sarah. GG Julie Payette: And you are a …. (inaudible)

GG Julie Payette: Well, this is a Governor General’s Foot Guard.

GG Julie Payette: You’re a thunderstorm!

GG Julie Payette: I’ve got a chicken! On my arm! A little chicken.

(Upbeat music and background chatter)

Woman 1: Her Excellency is interested in promoting health and activity for everyone. We know all the benefits of cycling to work, cycling for transportation and cycling for fun.

GG Julie Payette: ...Because it's important to move, to stay active, to stay in good shape because when we are then we feel good.

Woman 2: I like her GGActive initiative. It makes sense for everyone. You can see that Canada has a lot of work to do in this, so it's a good day and a good opportunity to celebrate this visit.

GG Julie Payette to child on bike: Alright, well done my friend!

Child: Thanks!

TEXT ON SCREEN:

"What career advice would you give to our class?", Alex from Esterhazy High School in Saskatchewan.

GG Julie Payette: Find your passion, what you like and what makes you tick and then go with that. Don't do something that other people want you to do. Do what you want to do.