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Rideau Hall, Wednesday, October 27, 2015 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY What a delight to welcome each of you to Rideau Hall and to Canada. We have a long history of diplomacy in this country, of which you are now a part. At its best, diplomacy brings people together. It bridges differences. It builds on th...

Toronto, Ontario, Thursday, October 29, 2015 It’s wonderful to be here in Toronto to open the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Forum. I’m also pleased to see that so many of you have come to Canada to be part of this discussion. The last time Canada hosted this conference was in 1986. Twenty ...

Toronto, Ontario, Thursday, October 29, 2015 What a pleasure it is to be at this gala among so many bright, shining lights! I first attended this awards ceremony almost exactly five years ago, shortly after my installation as governor general. Now, as then, I’m inspired by the efforts of others to b...

Waterloo, Ontario, Friday, October 30, 2015 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY What a pleasure to be back here on this wonderful campus for the official opening of this impressive new building. How exciting to think of the study of languages and culture taking place here! A grasp of languages and cultures is es...

Waterloo, Ontario, Friday, October 30, 2015 If you’re lucky enough to have visited St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, you may know that the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, the great English architect who helped rebuild London after the devastating fire of 1666, is inscribed with the following words: “Rea...

Waterloo, Ontario, Friday, October 30, 2015 It is a special occasion for David and me to be on the Renison University College campus to open your newest building. It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, David was President of the University and I was running a horse farm called Chatterbox Far...

February 15, 2015 Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada OTTAWA—The Governor General of Canada is pleased to share a message addressed to all Canadians from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of t...

Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Across this country, I have seen the generous nature of Canadians. I have seen individuals making big impacts in their communities. I have seen the change that can occur when compassion governs our actions. Today’s event, for instance, is being held wit...

Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY It is a pleasure to be here to celebrate and congratulate this year’s Outstanding CEO of the Year, Mr. Donald Walker. I would also like to congratulate all those involved in the presentation of this award, as it marks 25 years of ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, February 10, 2015 Thank you for inviting me to say a few words at this important gathering. I understand your discussions this evening will centre on identifying priorities for the development and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. And your overall objective? ...

Rideau Hall, Friday, February 13, 2015 My wife, Sharon, and I are very pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. As I stand before you today and see assembled so many great leaders, innovators and change-makers, someone who is not with us is called sharply to mind. Jos...

February 13, 2015 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the Opening of the 2015 Canada Winter Games OTTAWA— I am delighted to have this opportunity to mark the opening of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Being held in Prince George, British Columbia, this celebration of youth, ...

Ottawa, Sunday, February 15, 2015 Fifty years ago this very day—February 15th, 1965—thousands of Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to watch as our country’s flag was hoisted high and flew for the first time in the skies over Canada. General the Right Honourable Georges P. Vanier was one of those...

February 15, 2015 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada OTTAWA— Fifty years ago this very day—February 15, 1965—thousands of Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill to watch as...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, February 17, 2015 What a pleasure and a privilege it is to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. My predecessor, Vincent Massey, once titled a speech he gave to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada “A Layman Talks to Architects,” and I want to fol...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, February 18, 2015 It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall. Today, we celebrate your arrival in Canada, and we reaffirm the importance of diplomacy in today’s world. At the heart of diplomacy is communication. Diplomacy is about taking part in dialogue and keeping the li...

Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, February 19, 2015 I am delighted to extend to you a “virtual” greeting from Ottawa on the occasion of the Qikiqtani Regional Teachers’ Conference. When I was asked to say a few words of encouragement to this gathering, I gladly accepted—and for one simple reason: because I...