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Presentation of the 2009 Governor General’sAwards in Visual and Media Arts Rideau Hall, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Every year, for the past ten years, the presentation of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts has marked a high point in the artistic and cultural life of our society. N...

Presentation of Credentials (Kingdom of Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea, Republic of Suriname) Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Welcome to Rideau Hall, under the auspices of the Thunderbird and the spirit of our Aboriginal ancestors, of the many peoples who are our deepest roots...

Presentation of the Governor General’s Performing ArtsAwards Medallion to Robert Lepage Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 2, 2009 This is not the first time that you have come to Rideau Hall, and it likely will not be the last. The first time was 15 years go. Do you remember? You were receiving the Natio...

April 3, 2009 The territory of Nunavut is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, and I would add, this year, 2009. This historic event in our country marks an important step in this ongoing adventure that is so full of promise. I have vivid memories of the Nunavut’s creation in the spring of 19...

Presentation of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award Rideau Hall, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 I am delighted to welcome to Rideau Hall so many women and men who are known for their willingness to help one another, those whom I consider our everyday heroes, the very foundation and backbone of our ...

Presentation of Decorations of the Association des Scouts du Canada Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 9, 2009 I am filled with a sense of joy as I stand here before you to welcome you to Rideau Hall, beneath the light emanating from this work of art by Norval Morrisseau, the great Ojibway painter, depict...

April 14, 2009 OTTAWA— My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Karine Blais from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based in Valcartier, Quebec. The vehicle she was in exploded upon striking an improvised explosive device in the Sha...

Cultural Evening on the Occasion of the State Visits to Ukraine and Norway Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 This is it: in exactly one week, we will be setting out on our 10th and 11th State visits, this time bound for the outer reaches of the European continent, first to Ukraine in the east, ...

Luncheon with the Heads of Federal Agencies Ottawa, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 It is in the spirit of sharing and in the name of the collaborative partnerships between the institution of the governor general and your own that I decided to come and meet with you today. I see a number of parallels betwee...

Montreal Millennium Summit Montréal, Thursday, April 16, 2009 It is a great privilege for me to be here with you today and to be a part of this edition of the Montreal Millennium Summit. Montréal. A city that my heart has loved and my feet have walked. A city that will always remain my city. Quebec ...

April 17, 2009 In the midst of the current economic turmoil, or even when life just gets you down, the work, support or simple smile of a volunteer can bring a ray of sunshine to warm the heart and rekindle hope. That is why I am so pleased to celebrate National Volunteer Week and particularly to pa...

25th Anniversary of Vues d’Afrique and its Pan-AfricaInternational Film Festival Montreal, Friday, April 17, 2009 It gives me great pleasure to be here in Montreal and to be the patron of a 25-year festival—not to mention a struggle, a happy and reckless adventure, “Vues d’Afrique is all these—that ...

April 20, 2009 History teaches us that inhumanity and intolerance thrive in silence. Today, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember those who were lost to us, and recall a dark time that changed the world as we knew it. Every year, people gather together, in Canada, in Europe, in Israel, and around t...

Art Matters Forum Held in Conjunctionwith the BC Scene Festival Ottawa, Monday, April 20, 2009 Thank you, Ms. Moore, for your warm welcome and kind remarks. Dear friends, My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are delighted to be with you this evening for this edition of Art Matters to explore a theme ...

Art Matters Forum Held in Conjunctionwith the BC Scene Festival Ottawa, Monday, April 20, 2009 Dear friends, Over the next two weeks, the BC Scene festival will celebrate the diversity of the province’s artistic practices. As the 600 artists who will be presenting their works in the National Capital...

Luncheon Hosted by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 23, 2009 Thank you for such a warm welcome and for hosting this luncheon in honour of our State visit to Ukraine. Prime Minister, these uncertain economic times are particularly difficult for your fellow citizens. I want...

State Dinner Hosted by His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko,President of Ukraine, and Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 23, 2009 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, the members of the Canadian delegation accompanying us and I are delighted that this State visit has brought us to Ukraine...

April 24, 2009 OTTAWA— While in Ukraine on a State Visit, my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned of the tragic death of Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario, yesterday in Afghanistan. Every day, our soldiers serving there are put to the test, both physically and psychologically. The ...

Discussion on Governance and the Role of Civil Society Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, April 24, 2009 Here we are in one of Ukraine’s oldest learning institutions. And it is in the heart of its library, which withstood the tumultuous years of the Soviet regime, that we will open the door to a dialogue betwee...

Luncheon Hosted by the Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine for the Canadian-Ukrainian Community andthe Canadian Business Club Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, April 24, 2009 We are here to discuss business ties, of course, but beyond these ties are bonds of friendship and solidarity that we have forged throughout...