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Ottawa, Monday, June 25, 2007 It is wonderful to be here on Parliament Hill for the inspection of the Ceremonial Guard, as this site has played such an important part in the history of the Guard. As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, and as honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Gua...

June 27, 2007 “Canadian Multiculturalism Day is even more meaningful this year as we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Citizenship Act. Since it came into force on January 3, 1947, more than six million people from all around the world have come to Canada to explore new possibilit...

Ottawa, Friday, May 29, 2007 Opera Under the Stars: There may not be any stars tonight, but if we picture them in our minds, they will magically start to shine ... The National Capital Commission has given us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our capital’s 150th anniversary and the beginning of t...

Rideau Hall, Sunday, July 1st, 2007 Welcome to Rideau Hall. Of all the citizenship ceremonies over which I have presided as Governor General of Canada, this one is especially significant. You are becoming members of our large Canadian family the year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Ci...

Ottawa, Sunday, July 1st, 2007 I am delighted to once again be standing before you as we celebrate Canada Day. But why do we come together every year on this day? What are we really celebrating on July 1st? Yes, the 140th anniversary of Canada … But first, we are celebrating the bonds of solidarity ...

June 29, 2007 “It was with great emotion that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of William Hutt, a great Canadian stage actor. Born in Toronto, Mr. Hutt began acting at a very young age and did not leave the stage until he was 85 years old. His sensitivity to the wider world...

July 4, 2007 “We are painfully aware of the risks faced by the members of our Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and the harsh realities they face each and every day. The toll tragically rose again this morning when six of our soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were killed when their vehicle struck an e...

Sao Paulo, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Hello and welcome to Art Matters, a forum for dialogue and reflection on culture. This will be the first Art Matters we hold outside of Canada, and we are proud that it is taking place here in Brazil, a country renowned for the originality of its creative spirits. M...

Sao Paulo, Tuesday, July 10, 2007 I was born in Haiti. Like Caetano Veloso said in his provocative song entitled simply, “Haiti,” think of Haiti . . . pray for Haiti. Yes, Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas. A country I knew when it was torn apart under merciless dictatorships. Haiti, the co...

Brasilia, Wednesday, July 11, 2007 This is not my first visit to your country. In June 1992, I was in Rio for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. I was here as a journalist with Canada’s public television network, and I passionately followed the commitment of those fighting...

Discurso por ocasião do almoço oferecido pela Câmara de Comércio Brasil-Canadá, São Paulo, terça-feira, 10 de julho de 2007 Nasci no Haiti. Pense no Haiti... Reze pelo Haiti, como diz Caetano Veloso em sua provocante canção intitulada simplesmente Haiti. Sim, o Haiti, o país mais pobre das Américas....

Discurso por ocasião da visita oficial à República Federativa do Brasil, Brasília, quarta-feira, 11 de julho de 2007 Esta não é a primeira vez que venho ao Brasil. Em junho de 1992, eu estava no Rio quando foi realizada a Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre o Meio Ambiente e o Desenvolvimento. Eu al...

Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, July 12, 2007 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY What an amazing sight! Young people from all over the Americas have come together in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate friendship and excellence. I know how hard you have all worked to get here. You should be very proud and thrilled. You are t...

Taped at Rideau Hall, Monday, June 25, 2007 On this Canada Day, I would like to tell you about a strong conviction I developed at a very young age, when my family and I had to start our lives all over again, far from terror and tyranny. I have based my very existence on this conviction. It guides al...

Brasilia, Wednesday, July 11, 2007 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, my daughter, Marie-Éden, and I have been touched by the reception Brazilians have given us since our arrival. We left for Brazil as the U20 World Cup was taking place in Canada. Back home, soccer fever has gripped the nation. Brazil ...

August 10, 2007 "Throughout my travels across Canada, and more recently during my State visit to Brazil, I was delighted to meet young people who are making themselves heard, offering solutions, and achieving their aspirations—young people who are eager to explore the wide range of knowledge at your...

August 17, 2007 “My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Bradshaw. He was an exceptional ambassador of the arts and culture. His name will forever be associated with the opera, which he ardently promoted. The Canadian Opera Company (COC), the ent...

August 22, 2007 “Today has been a very sombre day. With heavy hearts, we greeted the arrival of Private Simon Longtin’s casket and mourned his loss with his family and friends. And then we received more tragic news right there on the tarmac at CFB Trenton: we learned of the deaths of Master Warrant ...

August 25, 2007 How are you? What a magnificent evening! I am delighted to join you tonight as we honour you, the residents of Saint-Michel and all of Montreal. It is good to be in Montreal. The convivial atmosphere here tonight reflects the strong spirit of fraternity that is the backbone of your n...

August 28, 2007 Canada and Great Britain share a special bond that stretches back over the centuries. We are connected by a shared language, by history, and by similar democratic institutions. And of course we are connected through our armed forces. The esteemed individual we are honouring today is ...