Visit to Calgary and Vancouver - Day 2
The Governor General visited Arbour Lake School, a Calgary Board of Education middle school of over 800 students, where he took part in a Grade 9 ‘Civic Mirror’ discussion.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0031-002
The Governor General was happy to share his love of the "greatest game in the world" and play a few minutes with the kids.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0035-005
H.E.R.O.S started in 1999, in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, with a focus on children of diverse ethnicities, from socio-economically challenged neighbourhoods.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0035-003
The Governor General put on his skates at Britannia Ice Rink in Vancouver and joined children, coaches and volunteers of H.E.R.O.S., a registered Canadian charitable organization that empowers children through ice hockey and education.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0035-002
As part of their visit to the Downtown Eastside community, Their Excellencies met with the staff and volunteers of United We Can and also saw the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0034-002
Since 1991, through its social initiatives and recycling programs, the organization United We Can has created hundreds of job opportunities for people with multiple barriers to traditional employment while addressing issues of environmental sustainability.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0034-001
Their Excellencies then went to Downtown Eastside Vancouver, the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver, but also one of the poorest in Canada. They stopped at the Carnegie Community Centre and met with patrons and volunteers to discuss the social, educational, cultural and recreational activities offered by the centre for the benefit of local residents. They now better understand why the centre has been labeled “the heart” of the community.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0033-001
The Governor General and Mrs. Johnston left their mark at Place des Arts... literally!
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0032-004
Continuing their visit to Maillardville, Their Excellencies met with young members of the community at Place des Arts.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0032-003
First stop in Vancouver: Maillardville. Their Excellencies visited cultural and historical sites that represent the strength of Francophone culture in western Canada. the Governor General is accompanied by Ms. Johanne Dumas, Executive and Artistic Director of Société francophone de Maillardville (left, in black) and Mr. Richard Stewart, Mayor of Coquitlam (right).
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0032-001
He even met with very enthusiastic members of the School catering club.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0031-006
The Governor General also participated in a question-and-answer period with students. Questions were pretty good!
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0031-004
His Excellency then took part in a robotics and engineering demonstration at the school’s Integrated Technology Laboratory.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0031-003
H.E.R.O.S now operates 11 programs in eight cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal.
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0035-006