Visit to the Citadelle of Quebec - Day 5

The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972, to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

"Fischer’s portrayal of Champlain reminds me of what you, as diplomats, do every day. You, too, move in a world of many circles, fostering relationships between those in your countries and mine. You work with people who are often different from yourselves. You facilitate a necessary and important international dialogue with your very presence in our Capital. You inject a measure of friendship, trust and goodwill into critical issues that affect us all. And you help to ensure that each and every one of us can enjoy a more peaceful, secure and prosperous world."

Credentials are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State to Canada.

The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Igor Munteanu, ambassador of the Republic of Moldova.

On the morning of February 8, 2011, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, received the credentials of two High commissioners and four ambassadors. It was the first credentials presentation ceremony for Ms. Margaret Huber, Chief of Protocol of Canada.

The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency László Pordány, ambassador of the Republic of Hungary.

The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Udomphol Ninnad, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Philip Buxo, high commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Governor General received the credentials of Her Excellency Mohau Pheko, high commissioner of the Republic of South Africa

On August 30, 2008, Pascale Pelletier, M.B., rescued a man from a burning house, in Mercier, Quebec. The victim had been trying to put out a kitchen fire and rescue his pets, but soon became disoriented in the smoke-filled house. His neighbour, Pascale Pelletier, who was outside attempting to douse the flames with water from a garden hose, made a decision to go inside to rescue the victim. She wet a sweater, put it around her face and ran towards the burning kitchen. She had great difficulty breathing as she went up the stairs through the dark and thick smoke. She eventually located the severely burned victim and pulled him to safety.

On November 8, 2008, Marie-Claude Élie, M.B., risked her life to bring medical assistance to dozens of people trapped beneath the ruins of a schoolhouse, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Ms. Élie, who was serving in Haiti as a nurse with the Canadian Red Cross, heard sirens from her hotel room and ran to investigate. A three-storey primary school, housing over 200 children, had collapsed and sent a cloud of smoke and dust over the area. Accompanied by some of her colleagues, Ms. Élie reached the school and found that many children and adults were buried under the rubble, crying for help. Amid the general panic, Ms. Élie remained under the unstable structure for over four hours, helping doctors tend to the injured. Debris and rocks kept falling around them as emergency crews tried to locate and assist those trapped in the upper levels of rubble, while Ms. Élie devised a system of tubes to provide water to the people trapped under the wreckage. Due to her courage and determination that day, the lives of many Haitians were saved.

On August 16, 2008, Sergeant Steve Desgagné, M.B., an off-duty member of the Canadian Forces, prevented a man from committing an armed robbery and possibly harming a store clerk, at a convenience store in Montréal. The man had approached the clerk, held up a knife, and told him that this was a holdup. When Sergeant Desgagné noticed the robbery in progress, he put his hand in his pocket and pretended that he had a gun. Approaching the individual, Sergeant Desgagné ordered him to put down his knife. The robber dropped his weapon and started to flee. Sergeant Desgagné ran after the man, not knowing if he carried another weapon. After a brief struggle, the robber was subdued and held until the police arrived.

On December 18, 2008, City of Montréal police constables Robert Bérubé, M.B. and Benoit Brissette, M.B., rescued a number of residents from a burning building. The constables had been patrolling the area when they heard an explosion and saw the stone facade of a three-storey building collapse onto the street. The first floor was completely engulfed and the flames were spreading quickly to the apartments above. Without hesitation, the constables ran in as the thick, dark smoke filled the hallway, making it difficult to see and breathe. After evacuating several occupants from the first and second floor apartments, the constables donned gas masks and continued to evacuate all the tenants on the top floor. All residents were eventually brought to safety.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I am here to commend your courage, honour your bravery, praise your heroic deeds, and recognize your humble hearts."

In the afternoon of February 8, 2011, the Governor General presented two Stars of Courage and 9 Medals of Bravery, in his first Decorations for Bravery ceremony at the Citadelle of Quebec.

The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Francisco Obadiah Campbell Hooker, ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua.