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Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 29, 2016 Welcome, all of you, to Rideau Hall! What a fantastic night to watch a movie under the stars. Tonight, we have two special showings. First, an episode of the critically-acclaimed “Schitt’s Creek”—and we’re fortunate to have the producers of that show with us her...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 30, 2016 Welcome, all of you, to Rideau Hall! What a fantastic night to watch a movie under the stars. Tonight, we have a special showing. Our feature presentation is Guibord s’en va-t-en guerre, a satirical film by writer and director Philippe Falardeau about our system ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, July 1, 2016 Happy birthday, Canada! Happy 149th birthday, Canada! My, you’re looking good! How wonderful to be here with all of you on Canada Day. We’re gathering on Algonquin traditional territory, and just a week ago, I was in Fort McMurray on Treaty 8 territory. The fire...

Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, July 1st, 2016 One hundred years ago, the 801 courageous men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment went into battle for the first time. For the vast majority of them, July 1, 1916, was also the last time they would go into battle. More than 700 soldiers were killed, wounded or ...

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Good morning, and welcome all of you to this special presentation of Canadian honours. This is a very special place. We’re on the traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq, and we’re also at Pier 21, one of Canada’s most important historic sites. It’s estimated ...

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, August 4, 2016 How wonderful it is to join you here in Rio! The Olympics appeal to the best in us, to our sense of excellence, fair play and healthy living. Both Sharon and I are proud to express our gratitude to our Olympians and to the values they represent. And w...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we are here to launch rehabilitation work on the grounds of Rideau Hall in preparation for Canada’s sesquicentennial. Not only will 2017 mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, it will also mark 150 years of Rideau Hall servi...

August 4, 2016 Message from the Governor General on the Occasion of the 150-Day Countdown to Canada’s 150th OTTAWA —Today, we mark the 150-day countdown to Canada’s sesquicentennial. For 150 years, we have built strong communities and we have been innovative and compassionate because we desire a bet...

August 15, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of National Acadian Day OTTAWA—I am so pleased to mark National Acadian Day, a day celebrating a people that has faced adversity yet continues to thrive because of its rich and distinct culture, as vibrant today as ever. As ...

August 17, 2016 Message from the Governor General of Canada Following the Death of the Honourable Mauril Bélanger OTTAWA—Every so often, our lives are graced by the presence of a truly remarkable individual. They teach us invaluable lessons about compassion, fairness and generosity. Their time with ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, August 30, 2016 It’s a pleasure to join you for this presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Since 2010, I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of young people who have received this award across Canada. Hearing about their achievements and dreams has inspired me...

Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, August 31, 2016 It’s wonderful to join all of you at the Chief of the Defence Staff General Officers/Flag Officers Symposium. It’s an honour to be here. As commander-in-chief, I’m well aware just how much you do for our country. Together, you and your colleagues stand up ...

September 7, 2016 Message from the Governor General on the Occasion of the Opening of 2016 Rio Paralympic Games OTTAWA—Greetings to our Team Canada Paralympians in Rio de Janeiro! I look forward to following your progress and to celebrating your successes over the next 11 days. Each of you is an amb...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, September 6, 2016 What a delight to welcome each of you to Rideau Hall and to Canada. We have a long history of diplomacy in this country, from the treaties and alliances signed by European newcomers and Indigenous peoples to our present-day ties with the world. At its best, di...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 7, 2016 It’s wonderful to welcome all of you to Rideau Hall for this presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. Or perhaps today we should call this the Canada’s Capital Region Medal for Volunteers, as all of you are members of this community that we’re s...

The Citadelle, Monday, October 3, 2016 It’s wonderful to welcome representatives from the Netherlands, Finland, Mali and Kosovo to the Citadelle today. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with officials from each of your countries during my mandate, and I look forward to continuing the conversation wi...

The Citadelle, Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Good morning and welcome all of you to this very special presentation of Canadian honours. It’s wonderful to be here at the Citadelle. There’s so much history in this place, so today let’s make some more, shall we? You may be wondering why I say this is a sp...

The Citadelle, Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Good afternoon and welcome all of you to this very special presentation of Canadian honours. It’s wonderful to be here at the Citadelle. This morning we had the opportunity to celebrate some outstanding Canadians and I’m delighted that we will continue to do...

Montréal, Quebec, Tuesday, October 11, 2016 It is a pleasure to join all of you here for this presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Since becoming governor general, I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of smart and caring young recipients of this award. Now you’re among them. Congratu...

October 10, 2016 Message from the Governor General on the Occasion of Citizenship Week OTTAWA— It is a pleasure to mark Citizenship Week. As governor general, I am honoured to preside over citizenship ceremonies, as new arrivals swear their oath and commit to the ideals of Canada. Our nation is know...