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Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Greetings, all of you, and a special welcome to those of you who have travelled from far and wide to be here. You missed winter—barely! Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that this conference is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonqui...

April 21, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday OTTAWA—Few individuals have earned as much of our nation’s respect and admiration as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Today, on her 90th birthday, Sharon and I would like to co...

Hamilton, Ontario, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Good morning everyone! What a pleasure to visit this school—home of the Wever Wildcats! One question: do graduates of this school go on to be Ticats? Forgive me, folks—this is Hamilton after all! Seeing you here today tells me something important about th...

Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Thank you for inviting Sharon and me to celebrate a very special occasion. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will turn 90 tomorrow at 2:40 a.m. London time—or later tonight, if you like, Canadian time. Her Majesty is renowned for her unwavering dedication to ...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 21, 2016 Today, we honour those who carry on in the spirit of the Famous Five. Today is also the 90th birthday of another great woman who has greatly influenced our country: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. So many have been inspired by her dedication to service and duty,...

May 2, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of Mental Health Week OTTAWA—When it comes to mental health, one voice can help break the silence. Now imagine what a whole country of voices could do! This Mental Health Week, Sharon and I urge everyone to add their voices to t...

Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 When I gave my installation address as governor general, I said that my children had taught me all of the important things in life. Sharon and I have five daughters—Deb, Alex, Sharon Jr., Jen and Sam—and I could speak at length about all I’ve learned from t...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 28, 2016 We have a long history of diplomacy in Canada, one that began with the series of treaties and alliances signed by European newcomers and indigenous peoples. In fact, we have a saying in Canada that refers to this tradition of negotiation and diplomacy: we are al...

Rideau Hall, Friday, April 29, 2016 It’s a pleasure to welcome all of you—men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, a member of the French Navy and a member of the United States Navy—to Rideau Hall for this celebration of meritorious service and acts of bravery. As commander-in-chief, I’m always d...

May 4, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day OTTAWA— A child asks the questions: Why did six million Jews die? Why were so many persecuted? How many were just like me? We have no answer. At least, no answer good enough. There is no reason beyond h...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 “The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel.” Those timeless words are chiselled over the entrance to the National Research Council building not far from here on Sussex Drive. And I know our Killam Prize recipients this evening will identify with those word...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 Thank you for inviting me to offer a few words of support and encouragement at this gala. This is Mental Health Week, so what better time to honour those who have dedicated their talents and energy to this very important matter? Mental health must be a priority ...

May 4, 2016 Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the Wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta OTTAWA—The Governor General of Canada wishes to share a message addressed to all Canadians from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on the wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta. “Prince Philip and I were shocked and ...

May 6, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the Science Odyssey OTTAWA—This year marks the evolution of National Science and Technology Week into Science Odyssey, taking place May 6–15, 2016. I am delighted to highlight this collaborative event being led by the Natural...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, May 11, 2016 It’s a pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to Rideau Hall and to Canada ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Warsaw in July. Canada and Poland enjoy longstanding, positive relations. Our people-to-people ties lie at the heart of our friendship, with roughly...

Rideau Hall, Friday, May 13, 2016 I’d like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall for your investiture into the Order of Canada. Canada is a nation of dreamers. This country was built on the idea that disparate communities could be brought together, not through similarity of background or language, bu...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, May 14, 2016 I’d like to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall. You’re all here because you share something in common: a dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces and to exemplary leadership. To me, one aspect of good leadership is the realization of total dependence on the people a...

Rideau Hall, Saturday, May 14, 2016 What a pleasure it is to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada, for the Military Tattoo. This is a wonderful afternoon of music, marching, pageantry and precision! Today, we have it all: military bands, pipes and drums, Aboriginal tra...

Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, May 18, 2016 What a pleasure it is to be here in Toronto to recognize your volunteer efforts to help settle Syrian refugees. Together, you have helped settle more than 1,900 Syrian newcomers to this city. What an achievement! And what a difference you’ve made to the live...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, May 19, 2016 Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that this ceremony is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation. I often end speeches with my favourite line by George Bernard Shaw, but as today is all about innovation, I’d like to start with it! It g...