Official Visit to Nova Scotia - Day 2

The National Research Council Marine Research Station is a world-class facility for research, development and demonstration activities involving marine algae.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a self-development program available to all young people between the ages of 14-25. The award encourages youth to be active, to participate in new activities, and to pursue current interests in four different ways: Community Service, Skills Development, Physical Fitness, and Expeditions and Exploration.

The Governor General delivered an address on this occasion: "As recipients of this Award, you are joining the multitude who passed through Pier 21 to make a lasting difference in our country. Just as many of them did, you are demonstrating that you can dream big dreams. That you can set lofty goals. That you are ready to challenge yourselves, and to take initiative and responsibility for your successes. That you have what it takes to persevere when times get tough. That you care enough to give back to your communities, your country and your world."

During a ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, His Excellency presented the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards to about 50 youth from the Maritime provinces for developing important life skills while contributing to the community.

Their Excellencies also visited the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. They were greeted by a members of the museum’s board of trustees, Mrs. Ruth Goldbloom, and Mr. John Oliver.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 explores the theme of immigration to Canada to enhance public understanding of the experiences of immigrants as they arrived in Canada, of the vital role that immigration has played in the building of Canada, and of the contributions of immigrants to Canada’s culture, economy, and way of life.

Upon their arrival at Nova Scotia Community College, Their Excellencies were greeted by Mr. Don Bureaux, President of the College, Mrs. Rachael Donovan, Waterfront Campus principal, and Mr. Don Jardine, Academic Chair of Environmental Sustainability and Development.

During the tour of the College, Their Excellencies engaged with students from the Centre for the Built Environment (CBE), an example of restorative building design, which blends elements of the ‘natural’ and ‘built’ environments to ensure the building and its operations do not contribute to environmental harm. The CBE focuses on creating learning environments that enable students to collaborate on projects, see first-hand how building systems function, and access the latest in alternative energy technologies.

They proceeded to the Living Wall, where Mr. Jardine provided an overview of the College and its programs.

At the station, NRC researchers and its partners are developing technologies in areas of algae cultivation, oil extraction and ultimately, biofuel production. The collaborators are also investigating innovative ways to use the by-products of fuel production, such as in health-related products and animal feed.

The Governor General then headed to the National Research Council Marine Research Station in Ketch Harbour to meet with scientists who are involved in the algal biofuels program.

Upon his arrival at City Hall, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, was greeted by His Worship Peter Kelly, Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality.

The Secretary to the Governor General Mr. Stephen Wallace (left) also attended the meeting.

Prior to his meeting with the Mayor of Halifax, the Governor General signed the guest book.

His Excellency attended a presentation by Dr. Stephen O’Leary, a research officer with the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB). Dr. O’Leary is the program leader for Establishing a Canadian Capacity to Produce Biofuels from Marine Algae, a project under NRC National Bioproducts Program. The Governor General also had the opportunity to tour the algal biorefinery with lead scientist Dr. Patrick McGinn.

Gold Award participants must also complete a Residential Project consisting of voluntary service. To date, the award program has motivated over 500 000 young people from Canada, and over seven million youth in 130 countries worldwide, to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.