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Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony Rideau Hall, Friday, January 30, 2009 Welcome to Rideau Hall, where we have gathered to recognize the exceptional service performed by 56 men and women who have chosen to don the uniform and who have had a distinguished career in the Forces. As commander-...

Presentation of Scrolls to New General and Flag Officers Rideau Hall, Thursday, February 5, 2009 It is a privilege for me to be a part of the extended Canadian Forces family and to assume the responsibilities conferred upon me as commander-in-chief. Working alongside our service women and men of eve...

Official Opening of Winterlude 2009 Ottawa, Friday, February 6, 2009 Once again, winter is acting very wintry and we are in the mood to celebrate as we launch Winterlude 2009 in Canada’s Capital Region! Skating on the Rideau Canal, admiring the ice sculptures, going tobogganing, exploring the ski tr...

Countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler Rideau Hall, Thursday, February 12, 2009 Hi, kids! Don’t you all look nice, with your eyes full of sunshine, your cheeks all red and your smiles from ear to ear! How are you? Are you having fun? Today, we are marking the countdown to t...

Presentation of Meritorious Service and Military Valour Decorations Rideau Hall, Friday, February 13, 2009 I am delighted to welcome to Rideau Hall men and women for whom service is synonymous with dedication and courage. We all know that military service rests on discipline and a sense of duty; tha...

Centennial Celebration of Canadian Aviation Ottawa, Monday, February 23, 2009 I had hoped to be in Baddeck today, but Canada being the northern country that it is, the weather conditions in Nova Scotia would not have allowed us to land. My thoughts and best wishes are with you and with everyone in B...

Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony Rideau Hall, Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Welcome to Rideau Hall. This morning has brought us together to honour exceptional military careers. Many years ago, you answered a call: to don the uniform and become a part of the extended Canadian Forces family. ...

Presentation of Credentials (United Mexican States, Malaysia,Republic of Seychelles, Republic of Cape Verde) Rideau Hall, Thursday, February 26, 2009 I am delighted to welcome you, your families and your delegations to Rideau Hall. These days, everyone seems to be talking about one form of crisis or...

Announcement of the Recipients of the 2009 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2009 My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are so pleased to be here with you today. Jean-Daniel and I share the belief that art is in itself a lesson in freedom. A lesson in freedom that is ...

Launch of the Michaëlle Jean Chair in Caribbean and African Diasporic Studies Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2009 Today, we are launching a new Canadian chair in Caribbean and African diasporic studies at one of Canada’s flagship institutions of higher learning, the University of Alberta, which celebrate...

Youth Dialogue on Women Shaping Democracy Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 3, 2009 It is so wonderful to see so many young people here who are committed to defending the full recognition of the rights of girls and women, particularly with International Women’s Day less than a week away. To mark the occas...

Art Matters Forum on Music Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2009 Welcome to this Art Matters forum on the music that brings us together, this time, in the heart of Toronto, a multicultural city like no other. Wherever there is music, walls come down, new possibilities are born, and hope is reignited in our...

International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment,Leadership Development, International Peace and Security Monrovia, Liberia, Saturday, March 7, 2009 International Women’s Day is a call for solidarity that each of us, here and elsewhere in the world, sends out to the four winds. Of course, in this cas...

Art Matters Forum on Music Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2009 This is the 35th Art Matters public forum, and for the first time we are holding it here in Toronto. During our travels through the provinces and territories of Canada and abroad, the Governor General and I like to hold such forums because th...

Art Matters Forum Held in Conjunction with the Presentationof the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 We are delighted to welcome you to this edition of Art Matters, created as a space for dialogue, sharing and reflection on the arts and culture. T...

Opening of the Spirit of Place: British Columbia Young Artists Exhibition Rideau Hall, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Welcome to Rideau Hall for the opening of this exhibition by very young artists from British Columbia, who have translated into colour and light the spirit of the place they inhabit and t...

Presentation of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts Rideau Hall, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 It is such a joy to welcome to Rideau Hall women and men who are among some of the greatest artists of our time. In this residence, which houses a permanent collection of works by Canadian p...

Art Matters Forum Held in Conjunction with thePresentation of the 2009 Governor General’sAwards in Visual and Media Arts Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Igniting an electrifying and unifying atmosphere around the visual and media arts. The theme of today’s forum stems from the discussion we had...

Presentation of the 2009 Governor General’sAwards in Visual and Media Arts Rideau Hall, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Every year, for the past ten years, the presentation of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts has marked a high point in the artistic and cultural life of our society. N...

Presentation of Credentials (Kingdom of Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea, Republic of Suriname) Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Welcome to Rideau Hall, under the auspices of the Thunderbird and the spirit of our Aboriginal ancestors, of the many peoples who are our deepest roots...