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Youth Seminar on Diversity Mexico City, Tuesday, December 8, 2009 As Canada’s governor general and commander-in-chief, it is an honour and a pleasure for me to join you this morning for a dialogue on diversity in an era of globalization. I sincerely hope that at the end of this day, we will have all...

Welcoming Ceremony Guatemala, Thursday, December 10, 2009 I would like to start by telling you how delighted we are—my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, the delegation accompanying us and I—to be continuing, here in Guatemala, a journey from the north to the centre of the Americas, a journey that began i...

Discurso en ocasión de una ceremonia de bienvenida Guatemala, jueves 10 de diciembre de 2009 Permítanme decirles, en primer lugar, hasta qué punto estamos encantados, mi esposo Jean-Daniel Lafond, quien les habla, y la delegación que nos acompaña, de poder continuar aquí, en Guatemala, un periplo de...

State Luncheon Hosted by His Excellency, Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President of the Republic of Guatemala, and Sandra Torres de Colom Guatemala, Thursday, December 10, 2009 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our delegation and I would like to sincerely thank you for hosting this luncheon on the occasion...

Presentation of Exemplary Service Medals Saguenay (Chicoutimi), Monday, June 22, 2009 As governor general, I have the privilege of meeting exceptional women and men who shine through their bravery, their volunteerism, their creativity or the invaluable contribution they make to the evolution of our ...

June 24, 2009 OTTAWA–Today is a day of mourning, as much for Canadians throughout the country as for the team at Rideau Hall in Ottawa and at the Citadelle of Québec. The news came to us from Grande Digue, New Brunswick, that my predecessor, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, governor general of Ca...

Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 25, 2009 Before we begin today's ceremony, I would like to express the profound sadness that our country felt upon hearing the news that my predecessor, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada from 1995 t...

June 26, 2009 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Canadian Multiculturalism Day Awareness. Inclusion. Equality. Sharing. With just these few, simple words, the full measure of the Canadian reality immediately comes to mind w...

Change of Command for the Royal 22e Régiment La Citadelle, Friday, June 26, 2009 History has ensured that there is a special link between the institution of the governor general and the Royal 22e Régiment, beginning with General Vanier, who fought within its ranks and felt a deep admiration for the ...

Consecration and Presentation of new Queen’s Colour to the Canadian Navy Halifax, Saturday, June 27, 2009 I would like to begin by confiding something to you. I grew up under the yoke of a ruthless dictatorship, where the military uniform came to symbolize the brutal repression of the people, tyrann...

Canada Day Message Recorded at Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 24, 2009 Dear friends, This year, we are celebrating Canada’s 142nd birthday. I would like to take this festive opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contribution that young Canadians are making to the vitality of our country. In every...

June 30, 2009 OTTAWA–This year, we are celebrating Canada’s 142nd birthday. I would like to take this festive opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contribution that young Canadians are making to the vitality of our country. In every city and every community, from Moncton to Fort Simpson, Ranki...

Presentation of Credentials (Republic of San Marino, Kingdom of Bhutan, Kingdom of Bahrain, Afghanistan) Rideau Hall, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall, particularly since this is a time of great celebration for Canada. Last week, I was in the community of Mashteuia...

Citizenship Ceremony Ottawa, Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 I am delighted to be here with you today to share in this memorable moment as you officially join the extended Canadian family. I know just how important this adventure is, having experienced it myself. To leave one’s country of origin to put do...

Canada Day Celebration Ottawa, Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 For nearly four years, I have been travelling back and forth across our country, which is celebrating its 142nd birthday today. And I can tell you that from one end of this country to the other, from Moncton to Fort Simpson, Rankin Inlet to Mo...

July 3, 2009 OTTAWA— It is with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of Corporal Nicholas Bulger, killed when an anti-personnel mine detonated near his armoured vehicle while on patrol in the Zhari District, south-west of Kandahar. Corporal Bulger and five of...

July 5, 2009OTTAWA— My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I learned with renewed sadness of the death of Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, who passed away following injuries incurred in Afghanistan. Master Corporal Michaud, of the 2nd Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment, based at Valcartier (Que.), wa...

Closing of the Conference of Lieutenant Governors and Commissioners Iqaluit, Sunday, May 31, 2009 Let me begin by thanking you all for having made this year’s Conference of the Lieutenant Governors and Commissioners such a resounding success. The decision to hold the event to coincide with the 10th ...

Governor General’s Urban Arts Forum Iqaluit, Saturday May 30, 2009 How are you doing tonight? I must begin by thanking you for such a warm welcome here this evening. It is an honour for my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter, Marie-Éden, and me to be with you in Iqaluit to partake in my first ...

Opening of the Conference of Lieutenant Governors and Commissioners Iqaluit, Saturday, May 30, 2009 It is truly a privilege to cross the 60th parallel for the fifth time since the beginning of my mandate, and to find ourselves once again here in Iqaluit, which we last visited in 2006. I am delighted...