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The Senate, Friday, October 1st, 2010 I begin by saying thank you to Her Majesty the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Canadian people for this call to service. My wife and I accept it with joy—as we contemplate the role of Canada in the years ahead—and with gratitude at the opportunity to serve as ...

Ottawa, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Let me begin by thanking the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy as well as The Royal Canadian Geographical Society for inviting me to join you today. When John F. Kennedy addressed Congress for the first time as President, he began by saying, “it...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 7, 2010 Welcome to Rideau Hall! To be honest, it feels a bit odd to have me welcome you! After all, I’m still finding my way around this beautiful building while many of you have been frequent visitors here! Nevertheless, Sharon and I are now privileged to call this pl...

Ottawa, Saturday, October 16, 2010 One-hundred years ago, Robert Baden Powell asked Earl Grey, then Governor General of Canada, to organize scouting in Canada. As Canada’s scouting movement matured, the Governor General’s role evolved into a largely honorary one. But the relationship between scoutin...

Rideau Hall, Monday, October 18, 2010 Good morning everyone! Welcome to Rideau Hall! Sharon and I are still getting used to calling this place home, but we do hope that you’ll feel at home here today! We are honoured to have you here with us and take part in this ceremony. As you may know, my wife S...

October 20, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Canada's Citizenship Week OTTAWA—The Canadian citizen is not easily defined. Some of us were born here; others have chosen Canada as a home for themselves and their famili...

Rideau Hall, Friday, October 22, 2010 Good morning everyone and welcome to Rideau Hall! We have come together today to recognize bravery. To celebrate service. To honour heroes. Behind every one of these beautiful medals is an amazing story. A story of a life saved, a family preserved, a community s...

Rideau Hall, Monday, October 25, 2010 It is truly an honour for me to be with you to launch the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Poppy Campaign. Since 1921, poppies have reminded us of countless stories of brave men and women who left home to sacrifice their lives for our country. These stories tell...

Toronto, Thursday, October 28, 2010 Good evening everyone! Let me add my own words of welcome to our distinguished guests—Ambassador Delattre, of France, High Commissioner Cary of Great Britain. We are honoured you are here with us this evening. It is always a pleasure to come to this beautiful buil...

Friday, October 29, 2010 It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, your spouses, your children and members of your embassies to Rideau Hall. Please know that you are always welcome here. During my mandate and throughout your time in Canada, I want to focus on open, honest and ongoing discussions wi...

October 27, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Death of the Honourable Helen Hunley OTTAWA—My wife, Sharon, and I were saddened by the recent passing of the Honourable Helen Hunley, former lieutenant governor of Alberta. As the pr...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Good morning everyone. I am pleased to have this opportunity to express my gratitude and admiration—and the gratitude and admiration of all Canadians—to you, and to all members of the Canadian Forces. And I am delighted to be presenting these honours to you, th...

November 8, 2010 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the Occasion of Remembrance Day OTTAWA—Each year on Remembrance Day, Canadians gather at war memorials and in cemeteries across this vast land. As the eleventh hour ...

Rideau Hall, Sunday, November 7, 2010 I am so pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall. If I were to ask you “who is your hero,” I would imagine you might name someone famous like: Terry Fox, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Clara Hughes, Steve Nash or Joannie Rochette—great and inspiring Canadian athlete...

Charlottetown, Monday, November 8, 2010 Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to have been invited to speak at this very prestigious event—the Symons Lecture on the State of Confederation. This is a doubly blessed event for me because of my long friendship with and deep admiration for ...

Charlottetown, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 It is an honour for me to be part of your round table discussion. I have been looking forward to this opportunity, not only for the chance to talk to all of you, but also to be in Prince Edward Island—the cradle of Confederation. The Fathers of Confederation ...

Charlottetown, Monday, November 8, 2010 It was an honour for me to have been invited to deliver the keynote address at the prestigious Symons Lecture today. Sharon and I have looked forward to our visit in Prince Edward Island, and you have not disappointed us by your warm welcome. Visiting PEI make...

Fredericton, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 It is an honour for my wife, Sharon, and me to be part of your round table discussion. We have been looking forward to this opportunity—for the chance to talk to all of you, and to be in New Brunswick. The Fathers of Confederation created a federal system in...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, November 11, 2010 It is truly an honour for my wife, Sharon, and me to share this solemn day with you. Remembrance Day makes us look back into Canada’s past. To pause to remember all of those who willingly gave their lives so we could be free. Naming the Silver Cross Mother is...

Toronto, Saturday, November 13, 2010 My wife, Sharon, and I are very pleased to be with you this evening. We arrived into the horse world late in life but that has not dampened our passion. From a modest start, we now have a full dressage training barn. Chartterbox Farm, surrounded by old order Menn...