Search

Rideau Hall, Monday, December 10, 2012 We are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the historic home of the people of Canada. Let me begin by sharing with you a recent quote from art historian Ross King, who was here last month to receive the Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction for...

Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, December 11, 2012 I would like to begin by saying how honoured I am to be here at the opening of The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic. What you will do here at this new clinic will benefit so many Canadians and their families. Health care in this country is one of o...

December 10, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Human Rights Day OTTAWA— From its early-modern roots to its current form, the idea of natural, inalienable human rights has come a long way. Today, we remember our histor...

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, December 12, 2012 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall, home of the people of Canada, for this Order of Military Merit investiture ceremony. Let me begin with a famous story from the early days of the space race. The story takes place at NASA headquarters, where Ameri...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, December 13, 2012 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this presentation of credentials. In addition to being the historic home of the people of Canada, Rideau Hall has been the home and workplace of every governor general since Confederation. Earlier this month, how...

Montréal, Quebec, Thursday, November 29, 2012 It is an honour to be asked to give the Edith Aston-McCrimmon lecture and a special pleasure to have her family here today. When I think of a life worth living, I think of Edith. She would have been fourteen when I was born. Fourteen years is a significa...

Rideau Hall, Monday, December 17, 2012 Sharon and I are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall this morning to celebrate John Ralston Saul’s commitment to this office and to Canada. Let me begin by placing this event in context. As a viceregal spouse who made active contributions to a wonderful, si...

December 28, 2012 Governor General of Canada’s New Year’s Message OTTAWA— Happy New Year, Canada! The first of January is a time to reflect on what has passed and to look forward to the days ahead. For Canadians, the year 2012 was full of notable milestones. It was the year in which Her Majesty The ...

December 21, 2012 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, to Members of the Canadian Forces OTTAWA—As commander-in-chief, it is my great joy to wish the serving men and women of the Canadian Forces and their families the ver...

Longueuil, Quebec, Wednesday, December 19, 2012 What a thrill it is to be here at the Canadian Space Agency for this historic launch! I have been looking forward to this since my visit to the Agency one year ago. Space missions are literally years in the making, so at the outset I would like to than...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, December 18, 2012 As governor general of Canada—and as a resident of the City of Ottawa—I am delighted to be here today for this commemoration. The year 2012 has been a time of notable milestones, and without a doubt one of the happiest for Canada and for all Commonwealth n...

Rideau Hall, Friday, January 11, 2013 I am so pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. Let me begin by acknowledging that this gathering is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation, which spans the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. I would also...

Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, January 17, 2013 Thank you for inviting me here to speak to you today. I am honoured to be in the presence of so many talented women who have added so much to our country. Last year, at an official gathering at Rideau Hall, a member of the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club aske...

Rideau Hall, Friday, January 18, 2013 Welcome all of you to Rideau Hall! I often call this the home of the people of Canada, so it is only fitting that your journey should begin here. Let me also acknowledge and thank outgoing chief of Protocol, Margaret Huber. Like all of you, she has been a steadf...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 One of the wonderful privileges of this office is recognizing the generosity of those who serve their communities. So it is with great pleasure that I join you for this investiture today. As you may know, I have dedicated my mandate as governor general to f...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. When I was installed as governor general almost two-and-a-half years ago, I titled my installation address “A Smart and Caring Nation: A Call to Service.” I did so because the notion ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, January 27, 2013 I am pleased to be here this evening to honour the remarkable efforts of the veterans of the First Special Service Force. As commander-in-chief of Canada, I frequently speak to Canadians about the contributions our veterans have made to our country and to th...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, January 29, 2012 I am delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall to recognize an exceptional career in public service. I often refer to Rideau Hall as the home of the people of Canada, so it is fitting that we should gather here for this presentation. For more than four decades, J...

February 1, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Black History Month OTTAWA—Since 1995, Black History Month has provided Canadians with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and learn more about the invaluable contributi...

Rideau Hall, Friday, February 1st, 2013 I am pleased to welcome you to Rideau Hall for this celebration of the very best in contemporary Canadian architecture. As you have no doubt noticed, Rideau Hall itself is something of an architectural marvel—though it can hardly be called “contemporary.” The ...