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Rome, Italy, Monday, March 18, 2013 It is an honour for Sharon and me to be here in Rome to attend the Mass celebrating the election of His Holiness Pope Francis. We would like first to extend our gratitude to Mr. Jon Allen, Canada’s chargé d’affaires, for hosting this wonderful reception, and to th...

March 20, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie OTTAWA—I am delighted to be celebrating the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. From the outset of my mandate as governo...

March 21, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination OTTAWA—Since its creation in 1966, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, March 21, 2013 Thank you for your warm welcome. I am pleased to be here to present this wonderful new heraldic emblem to you, the employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. How appropriate that we gather in the food court at your headquarters in Ottawa—without a dou...

Rideau Hall, Friday, March 22, 2013 It is a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, home of the people of Canada, for this presentation of Meritorious Service Decorations. To see men and women in uniform gather for such an occasion is not only heartening, but also inspirational. You are here because...

March 29, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, following the death of former Premier of Alberta Ralph Klein OTTAWA—It was with great sadness that Sharon and I learned today of the death of Ralph Klein. As mayor of Calgary and premier of Al...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 4, 2013 It is a great pleasure for my wife, Sharon, and me to welcome Your Excellencies to Rideau Hall. It is wonderful to see you here. This residence and the city of Ottawa are historic gathering places for all Canadians. Ottawa takes its name from the Algonquin term a...

Toronto, Ontario, Friday, April 5, 2013 Thank you for inviting me to be here today for this important discussion. I am delighted to be among so many friends and familiar faces, and to hear your ideas and insights on post-secondary learning in Canada. As you know, it is a subject that has always been...

April 7, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day OTTAWA—When we teach young people about the Holocaust, we should aim not only to discuss the politics and the wider issues, but also to convey a sense ...

Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, April 9, 2013 I am so pleased to be with you here today to present Turnbull School with its coat of arms. One of the roles I assumed when I became governor general was head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. In fact, I’ve presented coats of arms to a select number of organ...

April 9, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Vimy Ridge Day OTTAWA— Since 2003, Canadians have gathered on April 9 to commemorate the heroic actions and tragic losses of the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Vimy Ridg...

Gatineau, Quebec, Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Thank you for your warm welcome. I am pleased to join you at the outset of this important conference. I often find it worthwhile to begin with the seemingly simple questions, so let me ask: why are we here today? The answer, of course, is not simply that w...

Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 17, 2013 I am pleased to be here for the launch of this new book on the governors general of Canada, past and present! You may be familiar with Gabrielle Léger’s memorable quote on this subject. She said: “The most ephemeral thing at Rideau Hall is the governor gene...

Rideau Hall, Thursday, April 18, 2013 I would like to welcome each of you to Rideau Hall, the home of the people of Canada. Each of us in this room represents not only different countries, but also different languages, backgrounds and cultures. We may have many things in common with one another on a...

Ottawa, Ontario, Friday, April 19, 2013 Thank you for your warm welcome. As commander-in-chief, I have the great privilege of meeting with members of the Canadian Forces and honouring their service to our country. When doing so, I sometimes quote my predecessor General Georges Vanier, who was a foun...

April 21, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of National Volunteer Week OTTAWA— There is a saying that volunteers are paid in smiles, and while this is true for some, many volunteers work behind the scenes, without acknow...

April 22, 2013 Message from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, on the Occasion of Earth Day OTTAWA—Canadians are quite fortunate for a number of reasons, not least of which because we live in one of the vastest and most beautiful countries in the world. I...

Rideau Hall, Monday, April 22, 2013 Welcome to Rideau Hall, and thank you for being here for this important and timely discussion. Allow me to start by thanking those individuals from the MasterCard Foundation who worked closely with Rideau Hall staff in organizing this event. I would also like to a...

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, April 23, 2013 Welcome to Rideau Hall, the gathering place of the Canadian people. Our fellow citizens meet here regularly to share ideas, learn from one another and honour service, bravery, ingenuity and creativity. Tonight, in this beautiful ballroom of this grand old buildin...

Pembroke, Ontario, Tuesday, April 23, 2013 Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for your warm welcome. I am delighted to be in Pembroke and to be making my first visit as governor general to the beautiful and historic Ottawa Valley. It was just east of here, on Morrison Island, in fact, that Samu...