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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...

Rideau Hall, Friday, May 4, 2007 We have come together today to welcome a few exceptional Canadians to the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s Honours System and is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is an honour that highlights and celebrates excellence. ...

May 6, 2007 “My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were deeply saddened by the news of the terrible accident that occurred in Sinai, claiming the life of Corporal Benoit Chevalier, Control Operator from 3 Wing, Bagotville, Quebec. Corporal Chevalier belonged to the Canadian Contingent of the Multinati...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, May 5, 2007 It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this special event. Rideau Hall is a fitting venue for the launch of the Canadian Tulip Festival, that wonderful celebration of spring and international fellowship. Spring is a special time here. Every year, ...

May 9, 2007 “It was with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the passing of Dwight Wilson at the venerable age of 106. When he was just 15 years old, his willingness to defend the values of justice and freedom compelled him to join the Canadian Forces during the First...

London, Ontario, Wednesday, May 9, 2007 Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for that very kind and warm welcome. I would like to begin this evening with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, a quote that has always guided me; I hope it will inspire your willingness to act and be a source of hope for you during ...

CFB Gagetown, Monday, May 14, 2007 I am especially moved to be here with you today. I was absolutely adamant that this official visit to New Brunswick start with a visit to Gagetown. I wanted to come here in person to hear how you were doing. I take my responsibilities as commander in chief of the C...

Fredericton, Tuesday, May 15, 2007 Elizabeth Brewster, a New Brunswick poet, wrote that “people are made of places.” I can think of no better words to begin an address in a place that is filled with history and dedicated to the greater good. I cannot tell you how happy my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond...

Fredericton, Tuesday, May 15, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I would like to thank Their Honours Herménégilde Chiasson and Marcia Babineau for graciously offering to host this dinner in honour of my first official visit to New Brunswick as Governor General of Canada. I think it is fair to ...

Fredericton, Wednesday, May 16, 2007 We all know that family violence is a tragedy. But it should not be taboo to talk about it. When I was named Governor General of Canada, I decided I would try to break down solitudes. And I know that family violence is one of the worst solitudes. I have learned t...

Shippagan, Thursday, May 17, 2007 I was born by the sea, so I have dreamed of this trip for a long time. My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are so proud to have arrived in Shippagan by sea, as so many fishers here do on a daily basis. We know that Shippagan is the commercial fishing capital of Ne...