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April 9, 2007 "My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were filled with great sadness when we received news of the terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of six Canadian soldiers: Sergeant Donald Lucas, Corporal Brent D. Poland, Corporal Christopher Paul Stannix, Corporal Aaron E. Williams, Private Dav...

Ottawa, Monday, April 9, 2007 It was precisely 5:30. A cold, grey morning in northern France exploded with the impossible sound of a thousand guns firing as one. On this terrible signal, the soldiers of the Canadian Corps—the four Divisions together for the time—climbed from their trenches and began...

Montreal, Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Thank you for inviting my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I to a place that has given us so much joy. Because the theatre itself is pure joy. It is also a kind of forum for debate. A debate between all those who create the performance. A debate between the players ...

La Citadelle, Thursday, April 12, 2007 As commander in chief of the Canadian Forces, I would like to welcome you to the Citadelle of Québec. High atop Cap-Diamant, where the majestic St. Lawrence River narrows—which is the original Indian meaning of the word Quebec—this is the only military fortific...

April 12, 2007 “This has been a difficult week for Canada. My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I would like to extend our condolences to the families and friends of Master Corporal Allan Stewart and Trooper Patrick James Pentland. Our hearts also go out to the soldiers who were injured during this i...

April 15, 2007 "It has been over 60 years since the Holocaust and we are still shocked by the cruelty, hatred and heartlessness behind the slaughter of millions of human lives. Today, Canadians join with survivors and the entire world in remembering these crimes against humanity. For Jewish communit...

April 15, 2007 "All over the country, thousands of volunteers offer their talents and time on a daily basis to improve our collective well-being. Without any expectation of recognition and with a determination that we can only marvel at, they help so many Canadians reach their full potential. Every ...

April 14, 2007 “My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn that June Callwood had passed away earlier today, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ms. Callwood was a truly inspiring Canadian personality. We will remember her as a woman with enormous energy who was guided by a ...

Ottawa, Monday, April 16, 2007 In Canada, we are free. Free to express our views openly without fear of persecution. Free to worship in our own way. Free to choose who will govern our country. Yet, when we examine our shared past, we realize that freedom did not come to us overnight. Our ability to ...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 18, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I both believe that the true strength of a country lies in its citizens’ willingness to help one another. Those of you we are honouring today are proof positive of that. When you alleviate distress or lend a helping hand, you...

April 19, 2007 "Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were so deeply saddened to hear of the accident that claimed the life of Master-Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer in Afghanistan. This tragic accident adds to the heavy burden that our Canadian Forces have recently incurred and reminds us of the dangers that our...

Ottawa, Friday, April 20, 2007 It is wonderful to join you all today for the presentation of these very prestigious awards. Since being launched in 1956, the Awards have made a difference in the lives of some 3 million young people who have taken up the challenge. Today, 121 countries around the wor...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Mister President, I am honoured and very pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall. I know that all my fellow citizens join me in offering this warm welcome, but I have no doubt that the over 250,000 Canadians of Hungarian background are especially pleased with you...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Mr. President, last year marked the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution. This was an important chapter in the history of the last century, which saw the people of Hungary stand up in an attempt to throw off the chains of the Soviet empire. The shockwaves of...

Rideau Hall, Friday, April 27, 2007 Thank you for accepting this invitation. It gives Jean-Daniel and me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall. As you know, one of the purposes of this institution is to recognize and highlight the excellence, talent, creativity, commitment, bravery, virtue an...

Toronto, Saturday, April 28, 2007 It is a great honour for me to join you this evening, as we celebrate together the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Harry Jerome Awards. Over the last three decades, this event has become much more than an award ceremony. It has evolved into a living testimony to the...

April 11, 2007 by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean Last week, on the occasion of the Canada Council for the Arts’ 50th anniversary, we took the opportunity to honour artists. Fifty years of support for artistic creation deserved to be celebrated, so we invited 50 laureates to Rideau Hall, people who ha...

April 19, 2007 by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean April 22, 2007, is Earth Day. Earth Day was started in 1970 to make young people aware of the importance of respecting the environment. Nearly 40 years later, we see that ecosystems have deteriorated and the dangers caused by climate change have gotten...