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Official Opening of the Tent Room and Concert Rideau Hall, Friday, June 18, 2010 When silence falls over Rideau Hall at night, Jean-Daniel, Marie-Éden and I never feel alone. Because that silence, this place, is inhabited. Inhabited by the memories of thousands of Canadians and people from all walks...

Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s First NationalEvent on Indian Residential Schools Winnipeg, Saturday, June 19, 2010 It is an honour and such a great privilege to be here with you as your honorary witness to mark this first step in the long journey towards truth and reconciliation, when we are ...

Visit to the New Cercle Molière Theatre Saint Boniface, Saturday, June 19, 2010 My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are delighted to join you just a few days before the official opening of the new Cercle Molière theatre. My husband is especially pleased, as he is also a man of the theatre. Here in...

June 18, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the death of Maureen Forrester OTTAWA – It was with great emotion that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of Maureen Forrester, one of Canada’s impressive voices and ...

June 21, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of National Aboriginal Day As I see it, their cultures form the very foundation of our national identity. The Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities that have welcomed me in...

Dedication Ceremony at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Monument Ottawa, Monday June 21, 2010 It is with great emotion that I join you on the traditional land upon which the Algonquin Anishnabe people have lived and flourished from time immemorial. Today is National Aboriginal Day, and I stand b...

June 21, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the death of Sergeant James Patrick MacNeil OTTAWA—It was with great sadness that my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I learned of the death of Sergeant James Patrick ...

Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard Ottawa, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 We are gathered here on Parliament Hill to mark the Ceremonial Guard’s return to the National Capital. But first may I ask for a minute of silence in memory of Sergeant James Patrick MacNeil of 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment base...

June 22, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, following her nomination as UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti OTTAWA— Since the earthquake that claimed nearly 300 000 lives, left hundreds of thousands wounded and traumatized, and transformed mu...

June 23, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day OTTAWA— The melding of summer solstice traditions with the holiday held in honour of the patron saint of French-Canadians, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, a ...

Presentation of the First Governor General’s Awards inCelebration of the Nation’s Table Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Jean-Daniel and I are extremely pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this ceremony to present the first Governor General’s Awards in Celebration of the Nation’s Table. T...

Arrival of His Excellency Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 24, 2010 Excellency, I would like to say what a pleasure it is for my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter, Marie-Éden, and me to welcome you to Rideau Hall, as you prepare to take part ...

State Luncheon in Honour of His Excellency Hu Jintao,President of the People’s Republic of China Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 24, 2010 Excellency, distinguished members of the Chinese delegation, it is a great honour and a real joy to welcome you to Rideau Hall, especially this memorable year, as Can...

Presentation of the First Governor General's Awards in Celebration of the Nation's Table Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 My wife has told you a bit about the official story of how this award began when I was at Cuvee in 2006, but like all good stories, this version is only half of it. I would ...

June 27, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Canada’s Multiculturalism Day OTTAWA—Multiculturalism is a trait of our society and, in my eyes, an invaluable treasure, a key to success and one of Canada’s driving forces. ...

Canada Day Message Recorded at Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 17, 2010 Dear friends, This year marks Canada’s one hundred and forty-third birthday, and we are celebrating in the distinguished presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, whom we wish a very warm welcome. This bi...

Luncheon with African Country Leaders Attending the G8 Summit in Muskoka Huntsville, Friday, June 25, 2010 I am very pleased to welcome you to Canada and more particularly to beautiful Muskoka, which in the language of the Algonquin people, one of the First Nations of the Americas, means “the land o...

June 26, 2010 Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the deaths of Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht and Private Andrew Miller OTTAWA—It is with profound sadness and regret that my husband, Jean Daniel Lafond, and I ha...

Speech at Fudan University Shanglai, Wednesday, June 30, 2010 I would like to begin by expressing my sympathies, on behalf of all Canadians, to the families of the victims who were buried under the terrible mudslide that affected thousands of people in the Guizhou province and forced the displacemen...

Canada Day at Expo 2010 Shanghai Shanghai, Thursday, July 1st, 2010 Today is a day of celebration. Here, on this first of July 2010, in this spectacular, welcoming setting, we are celebrating Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai. Allow me, then, to say loud and clear: Happy Canada Day! Today...