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Jerusalem, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 I’d like to thank President Rivlin for inviting my wife, Sharon, and me for this State visit. I’m delighted to be the first governor general of Canada to visit Israel. On this trip, we are being joined by a number of talented and dedicated Canadians. We’re here...

Jerusalem, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 I’m honoured to be here to plant an olive tree in the Grove of Nations. To plant an olive tree is a symbolic gesture. It’s a sign of peace, of tranquility, of the end of hatred and strife. I’m reminded of one of my favourite proverbs, which states: Blessed is t...

Jerusalem, Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Thank you for such a warm welcome to Israel. Sharon and I have been looking forward to this State visit to Israel, particularly after meeting the highly-respected Shimon Peres during his own State visit to Canada in 2012. Mr. Peres was a friend of our country. ...

Haifa, Israel, Thursday, November 3, 2016 How wonderful to return to the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology here in Haifa, and to be with all of you today. Thank you for honouring me with this doctorate. I accept on behalf of the people of Canada. I’m so very proud of the innovation links tha...

Ramallah, West Bank, Friday, November 4, 2016 What a pleasure to be here in Ramallah to reaffirm Canada’s friendship with the Palestinian people. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to President Abbas for welcoming my wife, Sharon, our Canadian delegation and me to the West Bank. I’m pro...

Ramallah, West Bank, Friday, November 4, 2016 What a pleasure to be here in Ramallah among so many friends of Canada! Thank you all for being here. And thank you for what you do to advance the friendship between the Canadian and Palestinian people. Thank you for what you do to help ordinary people w...

Bethlehem, West Bank, Saturday, November 5, 2016 Thank you for warmly welcoming our Canadian delegation—we are delighted to visit the beautiful campus of Bethlehem University. Having spent much of career as a leader of several Canadian universities, I have always believed that universities must supp...

Rideau Hall, Monday, November 7, 2016 Sharon and I are so pleased to welcome Your Royal Highnesses to Rideau Hall and to Canada. We’re delighted to see you and the entire Norwegian delegation visiting our country. I’m also pleased we took a moment to visit the red oak tree planted on the Rideau Hall...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, November 8, 2016 I’m delighted to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall. What a great day to celebrate and promote healthy living through sport and smarter living through education. Each of you strives to find a balance between higher education and competitive sports. You know that...

Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Good morning WE Day family!! Thank you for such a warm welcome! We just saw the stories of six remarkable Canadians. All of you have several things in common with them. You all have a great story to tell! In fact, your stories contribute to community buil...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, November 10, 2016 It’s wonderful to be with you today at Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. A week ago I was in the Middle East— Jordan, Israel and the West Bank. It’s a fascinating part of the world. And of course, sadly, it’s a troubled one. But one thing we don’...

Rideau Hall, Friday, November 11, 2016 Today, we gather to reflect and to remember those we have lost. And today, we welcome to Rideau Hall Mrs. Colleen Fitzpatrick, the Silver Cross Mother. Mrs. Fitzpatrick is the recipient of an honour no one wishes to receive. She is here to represent all mothers...

Ottawa, Ontario, Monday, November 14, 2016 What a delight to be here with so many globally minded lovers of learning! This is a great occasion for at least two reasons: One, this is the 50th annual conference of the Canadian Bureau for International Education. I’m very proud to serve as patron of th...

November 11, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of Remembrance Day OTTAWA— Each year, we fall silent on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We do so to remember those who served our country—those who were wounded and those who never came home. We do so to r...

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tuesday, November 15, 2016 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY When I gave my installation address as governor general, I pointed out that my children had taught me all the important things in life. Sharon and I have five daughters—Deb, Alex, Sharon Jr., Jen and Sam—and I could speak at lengt...

November 15, 2016 Message from the Governor General on the occasion of National Philanthropy Day OTTAWA— Since my installation as governor general, I have been inviting Canadians to imagine new ways to build a smarter, more caring nation. I recently took part in WE Day Ottawa, where we discussed the...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, November 17, 2106 I’d like to start by acknowledging that this gathering is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples. DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM—“They desire a better country.” That, of course, is the motto of the Order of Canada, but what do we re...

Rideau Hall, Monday, November 21, 2016 I’m delighted to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall. And, of course, to welcome you and your families to Canada! All of you share a desire to engage with Canada on a variety of topics. And when we don’t see things eye to eye, we always find a way to work togethe...

Rideau Hall, Monday, November 21, 2016 It’s a pleasure to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall and to Canada. I believe that diplomacy plays such a key role in building a better world. Why? Because positive international relations—built on trust and respect—are essential to our collective well-being. T...

November 20, 2016 Message from the Governor General on the Occasion of National Child Day OTTAWA— As parents and grandparents, Sharon and I know that we have much to learn from children and young people. They have such energy, curiosity and inexhaustible resolve to change things for the better. Ensu...