Visit to Western Canada - Day 2

In the afternoon, the Governor General delivered a keynote address at the Vancouver Board of Trade entitled The Next Spike: Innovation as the Key to Building a Smarter, More Caring Canada.

On the occasion of Bell Let’s Talk Day, Their Excellencies met with Colin Stansfield, Executive Director of Potluck Café Society. Potluck is transforming lives by offering life skills and on-the-job training to individuals facing barriers to traditional employment. In addition, it provides healthy food for people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

"In Canada, grants of armorial bearings recognize the contributions made by the recipient to the community," said His Excellency. "In this case, we honour Langara College, a well-respected post-secondary school, one that has operated in Vancouver for the last 50 years in several forms. And what is the singular contribution that we honour here today? It is the people—the staff and faculty of this school, alongside dedicated students and alumni—who create a place that values learning and discovery above all."

Among the most striking elements of the arms of Langara College is the pantheon, a relatively rare heraldic beast whose gold stars on green refer to the arms of the Spanish admiral Juan de Lángara y Huarte, for whom the College was named.

His Excellency was joined by Robert Watt, Rideau Herald Emeritus, who proclaimed the grant and described the symbolism of the arms. The arms were created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, which is headed by the Governor General.

Upon his arrival, the Governor General was greeted by children who proudly waved the Canadian flag.

The Governor General unveiled the new coat of arms of Langara College, which is located in Vancouver. Langara College provides university, career, and continuing studies education to more than 21 000 students annually.

Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad.

While in Vancouver, the Governor General presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to volunteers who have made a difference within their communities. "Each of you is here today for a simple reason: you care about the well-being of others, and you have acted on that feeling," said His Excellency. "The range of your activities is quite remarkable, but you share a desire to help others and to make your communities kinder, healthier places in which to live."

Founded in 1887, the Vancouver Board of Trade is Western Canada’s premier business association. With thousands of members, it is Vancouver’s chamber of commerce and works in the enlightened interest of its members to promote, enhance and facilitate the development of the region as a Pacific centre for trade, commerce and travel.

He spoke about Canada’s deepening engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, and the need for Canadian business and education leaders to adopt innovative approaches to building trust, sharing knowledge, fostering talent and celebrating excellence in order to seize opportunities coming from Asia-Pacific nations.

Launched by Potluck in March 2014, this program provides wholesome snacks for each school day to 50 nutritionally vulnerable children from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

During their visit of the facility, Their Excellencies also met with students from Lord Strathcona Elementary School’s healthy recess snack program.

In Vancouver, British Columbia, Her Excellency Sharon Johnston made a special visit to Crofton House School. She sat in on a Grade 8 class during which the University of British Columbia's WalkAlong team gave a presentation on issues of mental health and education. Students were able to share their own thoughts of what mental health means to them.