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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...

Bamako, Mali, Friday, November 24, 2006 I am honoured to join you today to take part in the official opening of the Commune 6 Savings and Credit Union, a member of the Nyèsigiso Network. Over the years, Mali and Canada have forged an extraordinary partnership. It is a partnership that believes in th...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2006 "I was deeply saddened to learn, from Ghana where I am currently conducting a State visit, of the death of two of our soldiers in Afghanistan. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard and Corporal Albert Storm were the victims of a car bomb suicide attack while t...

Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, November 28, 2006 Thank you very much for those kind words, and the warm sentiments expressed about the strong ties between our countries. I could not agree more. Since my arrival in your beautiful country yesterday, I have certainly had occasions to witness the strong bonds o...

Accra, Ghana, Wednesday, November 29, 2006 At the ceremony where he received his Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, Kofi Annan stated that the UN needed a deeper awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion. His words on that day continue to light a path forward ...

Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, November 28, 2006 It is a great pleasure for me to be here today in the presence of such eminent members of Ghana’s judiciary and students who are already making a name for themselves in the areas of justice and law. As governor general of Canada, I am particularly touched to ...

December 5, 2006 “The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, is a call for action to all of us to eliminate all forms of discrimination towards women and to bring together women and men in the name of equality. The commemora...

Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, December 5, 2006 I would like to begin on a personal note, and say how meaningful it is for me to be here in South Africa. For as long as I can remember, I have looked forward to the day when I could make a pilgrimage to the cradle of humanity, this land of freedom. ...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, December 13, 2006 I have just returned from a great adventure in the birthplace of civilization. In Africa, every thing I saw, every conversation I had, every person I met, everything I did, every sunset, was a story I wanted to tell. I wanted to tell these stories to preserv...

Presentation of the Governor General's Literary Awards Rideau Hall, Wednesday, December 13, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Last month, in conjunction with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, we held the first installment of Art Matters – Le Point des arts. Over two days, 30 audiovisual and n...

Rideau Hall, Friday, December 15, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are delighted to welcome you all to Rideau Hall for this ceremony to recognize excellence in our society. I have just returned from my first State visit, during which I went to five African countries: Algeria, Mali, Ghana, So...

Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, December 7, 2006 I’m sure we all know someone living under the Sword of Damocles that is diabetes. The strict diet; the monitoring of blood sugar levels and the injections; the constant fear of blindness or the possibility of amputation. Diabetes diminishes the qua...

Casablanca, Morocco, Saturday, December 9, 2006 It is wonderful to be here with you. This is my first visit among our deployed forces. I think it is fitting that this inaugural visit is on one of Canada’s finest destroyers. The presence of this ship here in Casablanca, your participation in NATO exe...