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Charlottetown, Tuesday, November 8, 2005 We have come here today to rededicate an important part of the heritage of Prince Edward Island, and of Charlottetown. For many years, the guns of the Prince Edward Battery guarded the city from potential invaders. They signalled important days throughout the...

Rideau Hall, Friday, November 18, 2005 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this very special ceremony. I am particularly moved that this is my first opportunity to preside over the investiture ceremony of the Order of Canada, and I am very impressed by the assembly of accomplished individ...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, November 22, 2005 Marie-Éden, her father and I are pleased to welcome you here to Rideau Hall to celebrate children’s literature. Through the stories and illustrations that unfold between their covers, inspiring us to dream, these books transport us to a truly wonderful world w...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, November 23, 2005 As far back as I can remember, books have always been a part of my life. I think that perhaps because books were scarce in my country of origin, I learned to see and cherish them as something very precious indeed. For my parents, books became a path to freed...

November 24, 2005 “My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the accident in Afghanistan which cost the life of Private Braun Scott Woodfield and caused serious injuries to four other soldiers. We wish to express our most sincere condolences to Private Woodfield’s family...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, November 29, 2005 Isn’t it amazing that on the same day that we are honouring teaching history, history itself is unfolding before our very eyes? The Prime Minister of Canada came to see me this morning to ask me to exercise one of my constitutional prerogatives authorizing the...

Ottawa, Thursday, December 1, 2005 When my husband, daughter and I moved into Rideau Hall, we became new residents of the City of Ottawa. As chance would have it, we arrived in Ottawa the same year that you are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Ottawa as a city. I am pleased ...

Rideau Hall, Friday, December 2, 2005 What a privilege it is for me today to honour the merit of women and men who embody the most noble expression of bravery. The magnitude of your deeds knows no bounds for those whose lives you saved. Your courage is equalled only by our admiration. You are real-l...

December 5, 2005 Geneviève Bergeron Hélène Colgan Nathalie Croteau Barbara Daigneault Anne-Marie Edward Maud Haviernick Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz Maryse Laganière Maryse Leclair Anne-Marie Lemay Sonia Pelletier Michèle Richard Annie St-Arneault Annie Turcotte Because they challenged the status quo...

December 18, 2005 "It was with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned that Sol, the beloved magician of words, has passed away. Marc Favreau, like no one else, made a joyous and singular contribution to the genius of the French language. Over the years he captured our heart...

December 20, 2005 The coming of a new year is a time to take stock and look to the future with hope. We make resolutions, develop projects, follow new dreams. Above all else, we hope to live life to the fullest and spread joy to those around us. For Marie-Éden, Jean-Daniel and me, 2005 has been a ye...

December 20, 2005 “The death of Mark Bourque, yesterday in Port-au-Prince, was a dreadful shock to my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and me, particularly since we had met Mr. Bourque at Rideau Hall just last October. He was here with twenty or so of his colleagues from the Royal Canadian Mounted Polic...

Recorded at Rideau Hall, Monday, December 19, 2005 Dear Friends, I am pleased to offer you greetings as we look back on some of the events that shaped 2005 and called on us all to stand together. This past year will be remembered for its harshness. You may recall that it began on a tragic note with ...