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Concert Featuring Oliver Jones and Nikki Yanofsky The Citadelle, Thursday, September 17, 2009 It gives me great pleasure to present to you this extraordinary concert at the Citadelle of Québec. It is a way for me to open the doors of this residence once again and give this place steeped in history a...

September 17, 2009 OTTAWA—In the space of a few days, we find ourselves once again mourning the tragic loss of one of our soldiers. Private Jonathan Couturier, member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec, was killed and 11 of his comrades in arms were wounded when an...

Bicentennial of the Chambre de commerce de Québec The Citadelle, Friday, September 18, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you to the Citadelle, the official residence of the governor general in the City of Québec. This residence is a unique place, a place of memory that must keep pace with and reflect t...

Art Matters Forum on Arts and Culture Rideau Hall, Monday, September 21, 2009 Jean-Daniel and I are extremely pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall. Being surrounded by committed friends who believe in the higher value of art and the power of social engagement through arts and culture is a real joy....

Opening of the DIASPORArt Exhibit Rideau Hall, Monday, September 21, 2009 I am a woman in whom many cultures and identities co-exist. On the island of Haiti where I was born, there were approximately one million Aboriginal inhabitants before the arrival of the Europeans. They were the Taino, the Ara...

Presentation of the Reporters Without Borders-Radio-CanadaInternational Prize for Women of Courage Montréal, Thursday, September 24, 2009 Courage is neither male nor female. But, let’s be realistic, it is most often women who see their basic human rights violated. And under extremely dangerous condi...

Message on the Occasion of the Peace Summit Recorded at Rideau Hall, Friday, September 25, 2009 “It would have been an honour to be in the midst of such a dazzling constellation of global change agents.” “Your presence in Vancouver is a glowing testament to Victor Chan’s vision and his generosity of...

Youth Dialogue on Peace and Solidarity Vancouver, Monday, September 28, 2009 I am so pleased to accept the mission that you have conferred upon me, on behalf of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. I believe that each of us must make a firm commitment ...

We Day Vancouver, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 How are you? Are you ready to celebrate? Craig and Marc had already spoken to me at great length about you. But nothing prepared me for all this energy rocking the stadium this morning! It’s wonderful! Let me say how excited I am to be with you to open V...

Presentation of the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 1st, 2009 Whether you are a man or a woman, there should be no limits on what you dream. This is what we believe in this country called Canada, where everything is possible, and this is ...

Presentation of Credentials (Azerbaijan, Norway, European Commission, United States) Rideau Hall, Friday, October 2, 2009 Welcome to Canada, your home away from home for the next few years. It is a distinct pleasure to welcome you, your spouses, your children and members of your embassy personnel to...

Speech at UNESCO Paris, Monday, October 5, 2009 Thank you very much for this distinguished invitation to speak before the members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. I hope that we can all find inspiration in Aimé Césaire’s beautiful words and together, reshape t...

Opening of the Cultures et Développements Exhibit Paris, Monday, October 5, 2009 I am delighted that my visit to UNESCO today has afforded me the opportunity to take part in the official opening of the Cultures et Développements exhibit. You are certainly right to emphasize the plural. Because, as I...

Presentation of the 2009 Killam Prizes Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 8, 2009 It is a joy for my husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and for me to welcome you to Rideau Hall. There are women and men who walk a path so brilliant that it fills our sky with dazzling light that shines down upon us long after the...

Discurso con motivo del almuerzo oficial ofrecidopor el Excelentísimo Señor Álvaro Colom Caballeros, Presidente de la República de Guatemala, y Señora Sandra Torres de Colom Guatemala, jueves, día 10 de diciembre de 2009 Mi esposo, Jean-Daniel Lafond, yo misma y la delegación que nos acompaña, les e...

Meeting with the Community of Puerto Limón Puerto Limón, Sunday, December 13, 2009 I am delighted to begin this State visit to Costa Rica here in Puerto Limón, and my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our delegation and I thank you very much for the warm welcome you have shown us. I am happy to be with y...

Discurso con ocasión de un encuentro con la comunidadde Puerto Limón Puerto Limón, domingo 13 de diciembre de 2009 Estoy encantada de iniciar esta visita de Estado a Costa Rica aquí mismo, en Puerto Limón, y junto con la delegación que me acompaña, les estamos profundamente agradecidos por su cálida...

State Luncheon Hosted by His Excellency Óscar Arias Sánchez, President of the Republic of Costa Rica San José, Monday, December 14, 2009 We are extremely grateful to you for graciously hosting this luncheon in honour of Canada’s first State visit to Costa Rica, which will be an excellent opportunity...

Discurso con ocasión del almuerzo de Estado ofrecidopor el Excelentísimo Oscar Arias Sánchez, Presidentede la República de Costa Rica San José, lunes 14 de diciembre de 2009 Estamos muy agradecidos por este almuerzo que tan gentilmente se nos ofreciera en ocasión de la primera visita de Estado de Ca...

Speech before the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica San José, Monday, December 14, 2009 Thank you very much for honouring me with the invitation to address the members of this Assembly. On the map of the Americas, and especially in Central America, Costa Rica is considered one of the most productiv...