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Vancouver, Thursday, March 9, 2006 Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your symposium. I was hoping to meet with you during my first official visit to British Columbia as governor general. In my installation speech, I stressed that young people would be a priority for me and that I would help ...

Ottawa, Saturday, July 1st, 2006 Let me begin by telling you what a wonderful opportunity it has been for me to travel across this country over the past nine months. I have been amazed to discover regions I knew little about, to see Canada’s breathtaking natural splendours, and to hear stories that ...

Taped at Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Dear friends, Since being appointed Governor General of Canada nearly one year ago, I have been travelling across this vast country of ours and have been amazed to discover regions I knew little about, breathtaking natural splendours, and stories that tou...

St. John’s, Thursday, July 6, 2006 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden and I would like to thank you for your very kind welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador. I would like to begin by saying that on July 1st in Ottawa, I participated in a remembrance ceremony at the National War Me...

St. John’s, Thursday, July 6, 2006 I would like to begin by thanking our hosts, their Honours the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Roberts, for their very kind hospitality, their thoughtfulness, and most especially the “friendliness” they have demonstrated since Jean-Daniel, Marie-Éden and I first arriv...

St. John’s, Saturday, July 8, 2006 As a maritime nation, Canada has few equals. To begin with, at more than 240,000 kilometres, our coastline is, by far, the longest in the world. As the members of the Coast Guard know, more than 100,000 vessels pass through Canadian waters, carrying some 360 millio...

La Grand’Terre, Monday, July 10, 2006 I am delighted to be here with you today. And how wonderful to speak to you in French! That language we all cherish, that we must keep alive and sparkling with our varied accents throughout the Americas for generations to come. The French fact is intimately link...

Perugia, Italy, Friday, July 21, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Thank you for the great honour you do me in conferring upon me this honorary doctorate. I am especially moved because you have given me the opportunity to look back on my youth and to reflect with you on the reasons that led me to study th...

Saluto agli ex-allievi diplomati dell’Università per stranieri di Perugia, sabato 22 luglio 2006 FA FEDE SOLO IL TESTO PRONUNCIATO Vorrei tornare un istante col pensiero alla cerimonia che ha avuto luogo ieri, durante la quale ho avuto il grande onore di ricevere il Dottorato honoris causa. Ne sono ...

Perugia, Italy, July 22, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I would like to begin by telling you how deeply moved I was by yesterday’s ceremony, in which you conferred upon me an honorary doctorate. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me. Being here, in this city that opened my eyes and my hear...

Discorso in occasione della consegna del Dottorato honoris causa dell’Università per stranieri di Perugia, venerdì 21 luglio 2006 Sono molto commossa per l’onore che mi fate conferendomi questa laurea honoris causa, tanto più che così facendo mi date l’occasione di tornare indietro con la memoria e ...

Toronto, Sunday, August 13, 2006 As governor general of Canada, I wanted so much to be here for the official opening of the XVI International AIDS Conference, which we are honoured to host this year. This conference will give us a wonderful opportunity to form a lasting bond of fellowship. I would l...

Toronto, Friday, September 8, 2006 Jean-Daniel and I are very pleased to join at the Toronto International Film Festival, an event that stands in the front ranks of the world’s film festivals. This venue has established itself as a premiere showcase for some of the world’s most popular films, launch...

Retrospective in Honour of Norman McLaren Toronto, Friday, September 8, 2006 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I would like to take this opportunity while in such wonderful company to share a few thoughts on the enduring lesson of Norman McLaren’s artistic career. His work is extraordinary, as much because of ...

Toronto, Sunday, September 17, 2006 In the difficult times we are living in, I believe dialogue is our greatest source of hope for today and for the future. I am committed to fostering a conversation among all Canadians; I see that as central to my role as governor general of Canada. Just this morni...

The Citadelle, Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Madame President, it is an honour and a pleasure for me and my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond to welcome you to the Citadelle, in a city whose historical significance for this country and continent you know and understand. Of course, I would also like to welc...

The Citadelle, Wednesday, September 20, 2006 This gathering is historically important because it is the first time that a State luncheon has been held at the Citadelle. My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I could not have hoped for better company in which to begin this tradition than that of a head of...

The Citadelle, Thursday, September 21, 2006 It is a great pleasure to welcome you here to the Citadelle, whose role within Quebec and Canada’s cultural and civic life we hope to strengthen. Steeped in history, this place, overlooking the Saint Lawrence River and sitting high atop Cap Diamant, has be...

The Citadelle, Quebec, Saturday, September 23, 2006 It is both an honour and a privilege for me to present this new stand of colours to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment. I know that you have been eagerly anticipating this moment and that these colours are tremendously important to you. Tr...

Ottawa, La Cité collégiale, Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Good morning. Thank you for joining us and thank you to La Cité collégiale for so graciously welcoming us here today. I could not have hoped for better. How appropriate that we should launch a new Rideau Hall initiative here, in an institutio...