Working Visit to Chicago and Detroit

April 24, 2018

Governor General to Undertake Working Visit
to the United States of America 

OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will conduct a working visit to the cities of Chicago and Detroit, in the United States of America, on April 26 and 27, 2018.

The two-day working visit will focus on scientific diplomacy. It will provide an opportunity to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Canada and the U.S. in the fields of innovation and science and technology. It will also serve to position Canada as a valuable innovative, scientific and economic partner, as well as to further strengthen the strong bilateral relations established between our two countries.

In Chicago, Her Excellency will visit Fermilab, America’s premier national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. She will offer remarks on fostering science and evidence-based decision making in North America at a round-table discussion at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She will also visit the Museum of Science and Industry, where she will speak on how collaboration in science, technology and industry can foster progress in a complex, changing world, as part of a discussion with key Chicago-based American and Canadian business leaders. 

In Detroit, the Governor General will discuss cross-border partnerships and the role of innovation in our future prosperity and progress at a breakfast meeting with Metro community, economic and business leaders. Her Excellency will lead a round-table discussion with aerospace and engineering experts, and will meet with the Governor of the State of Michigan. In addition, she will attend the FIRST Championship, where she will encourage Canadian students from elementary and high schools as they apply their science skills and engage in a friendly competition through their exhibits. 

All timings indicated are in local time zone (Chicago - Central Daylight Time [UTC/GMT – 5:00]; Detroit - Eastern Daylight Time [UTC/GMT – 4:00]). 

 

VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Thursday, April 26
Chicago, Illinois

8:20 a.m.
Arrival in Chicago
The Governor General will be greeted by Mr. John Cruickshank, Consul General of Canada in Chicago.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

9 a.m.
Visit to the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)

Upon arrival, Her Excellency will be greeted by Mr. Nigel Lockyer, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy, and other representatives from Fermilab. The Governor General will then visit the 2751-acre facility, where 4,000 scientists from more than 50 countries collaborate to solve the mysteries of matter, energy, space and time, as well as how they use laboratory particle accelerators, technology centres and computers to find out what the universe is made of and how it works. The visit to the accelerator will conclude with a discussion with scientists and announcement from Fermilab and York University.

In 2017, the Faculty of Science at York University and Fermilab signed an agreement to  collaborate in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment—a leading-edge, international experiment involving 30 countries to find out what role neutrinos played in the evolution of the universe. Fermilab also works in close collaboration with Canada’s SNOLAB underground science laboratory that specializes in neutrino and dark matter physics in Lively (Ontario), and with the TRIUMF particle accelerator centre in Vancouver (British Columbia). For more information on Fermilab, visit www.fnal.gov.
Pine Street, Batavia
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY—Tour of Fermilab and discussion with scientists
OPEN TO MEDIA—Joint announcement between Fermilab and York University at approximately 12 p.m.
MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Yurkewicz, Fermilab, 630-864-0074 (cell), katie@fnal.gov 

3:45 p.m.
Governor General’s Remarks on Fostering Science and Evidence-Based Decision Making in North America, at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
The Governor General will deliver remarks on the importance of science and evidence-based decision makingto North America’s future progress and prosperity at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Following her remarks, she will engage in a question period with participants.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, founded in 1922, is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to educating the public—and to influencing public discourse—on global issues of the day. The council provides a forum in Chicago for world leaders, policymakers and other experts to speak to its members and to the public on these issues. For more information, visit www.thechicagocouncil.org.
180 North Stetson, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chicago
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

6:30 p.m.
Governor General’s Remarks on Collaboration in Science, Technology and Industry to Foster Progress in a Complex, Changing World, at the Museum of Science and Industry
Following a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, Her Excellency will host a discussion with key Chicago-based American and Canadian business leaders, where she will deliver remarks on the role of science, technology and industry in North American and global progress. 

The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museums in the world, offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences to foster curiosity. The museum’s mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone and to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering. For more information, visit www.msichicago.org
5700 S Lake Shore Drive, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY—Visit to the Museum of Science and Industry and the dinner discussion 

Thursday, April 26
Detroit, Michigan

10:50 p.m.
Arrival in Detroit
Her Excellency will be greeted by Mr. Douglas George, Consul General of Canada in Detroit.
Detroit International Airport
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

Friday, April 27
Detroit, Michigan

7:45 a.m.
Breakfast with Metro Community, Economic and Business Leaders

Her Excellency will participate in a breakfast meeting hosted by the Consulate General of Canada and attended by key business and community contacts, as well as elected officials of southeast Michigan, to discuss the important role Canada plays in the region. Her Excellency will talk about cross-border partnerships and the role of innovation in our future prosperity and progress.
241 Madison, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

9:15 a.m.
Round-table Discussion on Aerospace and Engineering

The Governor General will take part in a discussion on technology, innovation and collaboration with key Michigan- and Ohio-based business and academic stakeholders. She speak about Canada’s role in advancing technology and building relationships with industry leaders.
241 Madison, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

1 p.m.
Meeting with Governor of Michigan
Her Excellency will meet with the Honourable Rick Snyder, Governor of the State of Michigan, to discuss innovation and education partnerships between Canada and the U.S.
1 Washington Blvd., Cobo Center, Detroit
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

2:15 p.m.
Touring Canadian Pits at the FIRST Championship

Joined by a Canadian student ambassador, Her Excellency will conduct a tour of the Canadian team pits and exhibits on display at FIRST Lego Jr., FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics, where 15 000 students of all ages from 45 countries will be competing in these various championships. The Governor General will have the opportunity to learn about their robots and encourage them as they compete against like-minded opponents.

About FIRST Robotics
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. The not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. For more information, visit www.firstinspires.org.
Halls B-D, 1 Washington Blvd, Cobo Center, Detroit
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Brooke Blew, Senior Manager of Marketing & Strategic Initiatives, FIRST, 603-666-3906 ext. 248, bblew@firstinspires.org

7 p.m.
Remarks by Governor General at FIRST Showcase Event
Her Excellency will deliver remarks on collaboration, innovation and the benefits of science and education to FIRST organizers, sponsors and volunteers. She will take this opportunity to congratulate them on their successful management of this world-renowned educational and innovative program.1 Washington Blvd, Cobo Center, Detroit
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

Members of the public can follow the Governor General’s visit to the United States of America online at www.gg.ca, where photos will be posted. 

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This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
To obtain the latest updates, please visit
www.gg.ca.

 

Media information

Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press
613-998-0287
613-302-0912 (cell)
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca  

 

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