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Ottawa, Friday, February 2, 2007
Winter is finally here! It might have taken a little longer to get to us this year, but it is right on time for Winterlude! What great pleasures await us: treks in the woods—on skis or snowshoes—skating on the Rideau Canal… For many of us, the crisp air and gently falling snow brought on by the colder weather are part of what makes Canada such a great country to live in.
I am thrilled to be with you today to open North America’s greatest winter celebration. But we have another reason to celebrate: back in 1857, a small, remote village named Ottawa became capital of the province of Canada, so we are also celebrating Ottawa’s 150th anniversary as capital!
My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter, Marie-Éden, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to our Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall tomorrow, Saturday, February 3, from noon until 3:00 p.m. There will be dog-sledding, skating, horses from the RCMP Musical Ride, maple taffy, and the greatest symbol of Canada’s favourite winter sport… the Stanley Cup! We look forward to seeing you all there.
We hope you enjoy Winterlude, and may you all have a magnificent winter.