Itinerary for the Governor General’s first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, July 6 to 11, 2006
July 4, 2006
OTTAWA–Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, and their daughter Marie-Éden will conduct their first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador from July 6 to 11, 2006. The visit will begin in St. John’s with stops in Trinity, Corner Brook, Stephenville, La Grand’Terre (Mainland), Rocky Harbour, and Gros Morne National Park.
Listening to youth, women, seniors, veterans, fishermen, members of the Canadian Coast Guard, and artists will be central to the Governor General’s visit to Newfoundland. Highlights will include engaging in round-table discussions with front-line staff working in the field of family violence prevention; town officials and community youth leaders on community development and opportunities for youth in a small town; members of the Francophone community on life in a minority language situation; fishermen on the current state of island fisheries; and Canadian Coast Guard members on the work that they do.
Other activities will include an informal discussion moderated by Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond with approximately 15 independent filmmakers at the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative (NIFCO), an association of independent filmmakers, video and multi-media producers.
This will be the 10th provincial visit for the Governor General since the beginning of her mandate. Governors general traditionally travel to every province and territory during the first year in office. Up to now, the Governor General has visited Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
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Media information
Lucie Brosseau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613 998-0287 or 613 301-6252
Doris Walsh
Executive Council, Communications Branch
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709 729-3812 or 709 691-7478
Lori Anne Companion
Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor
709 729-4494
Detailed Itinerary
Visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, July 6 to11, 2006
Thursday, July 6, 2006 – St. John’s
12:30 p.m.
Administrative arrival
(Their Excellencies will be greeted by His Honour the Honourable Edward Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Her Honour Eve Roberts.)
St. John’s International Airport
CLOSED TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m.
Official welcoming ceremony and meeting with the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
(All are invited to welcome the Governor General and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond as they arrive at the Confederation Building. They will be greeted by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Harvey Hodder, Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. The Governor General will review a guard of honour and meet privately with Premier Williams. She will also visit the House of Assembly, and sign the distinguished visitor’s book.
Outdoors, Confederation building
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR OUTSIDE PORTION OF THE EVENT
2:30 p.m.
Official reception with the members of the House of Assembly
(Their Excellencies will meet with the members of the House of Assembly, representatives of local patron organizations, and youth groups. Both the Governor General and the Premier will deliver remarks.)
The Rooms
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
4:00 p.m.
Visit to Cape Spear National Historic Site–North America’s most easterly point
(Their Excellencies will walk to the Cape Spear Lightouse, the oldest existing lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and learn about the significance of this site.)
OPEN TO MEDIA
7:30 p.m.
Dinner hosted by the Lieutenant Governor
(Their Excellencies will attend a dinner hosted by His Honour the Honourable Edward Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Her Honour Eve Roberts. The Governor General and His Honour will deliver remarks.)
Government House
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
Friday, July 7, 2006 – St. John’s
9:00 a.m.
Her Excellency
Discussion with front-line workers working in the field of family violence prevention
(Her Excellency will host a discussion with front-line workers on how they address the problem of family violence in the province and how they work towards building partnerships to find long-term solutions to the problem. The Governor General will deliver remarks.)
Choices for Youth - Youth Service Centre, 12-16 Carter’s Hill Place.
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
9:00 a.m.
His Excellency
Round-table discussion on filmmaking
(His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will moderate a round-table discussion with approximatively 15 independent filmmakers at the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative (NIFCO), an association of independent filmmakers, video and multi-media producers.
Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m.
Visit to The Rooms
(Their Excellencies will tour the art gallery in the company of Dr. Shauna McCabe, Director.)
The Rooms
PHOTO-OP
4:00 p.m.
Public Garden Party
Every resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and any visitor to the province are invited to come and meet the Governor General, Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, their daughter Marie-Éden, as well as the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Roberts at the annual Garden Party from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of Government House.
Grounds of Government House
OPEN TO MEDIA
9:00 p.m.
Magnetic North Theatre Festival
As Patron of the Magnetic North Festival, the Governor General will attend the play How It Works by Daniel MacIvor, one of Canada’s most celebrated playwrights.
LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street
PHOTO-OP
Saturday, July 8, 2006 – St. John’s and Trinity
9:30 a.m.
Bestowal ceremony of the title ‘Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard’ (CCG) to the Governor General
(The Governor General has been invited to a ceremony where she will be bestowed the title of Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. The ceremony will include the inspection of the Canadian Coast Guard guard of honour and remarks by the Governor General; the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; Mr. George Da Pont, acting CCG Commissioner; and Mr. Ray Browne, Regional Commissioner and master of ceremonies. The title of Honorary Chief Commissioner of the CCG was established in 1976 during the mandate of the Right Honourable Jules Léger.)
Canadian Cost Guard Bas, South side, in St. John’s Harbour
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:00 a.m.
Travel to Trinity
(Their Excellencies and their daughter Marie-Éden will travel from St. John’s to Trinity on board the Georges R. Pearks, a Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue ship, and by helicopter and will witness first-hand two aspects of the Canadian Coast Guard’s work.)
Canadian Cost Guard Base in St. John’s Harbour
PHOTO-OP UPON DEPARTURE
3:30 p.m.
Arrival in Trinity
(Their Excellencies will be greeted by His Worship Jim Miller, Mayor of Trinity, and Ms. Donna Butt, Artistic Director of the Rising Tide Theatre Company.)
Trinity playfield
PHOTO-OP UPON ARRIVAL
3:40 p.m.
Walking tour of Trinity
(Their Excellencies will go on a historical walking tour of the town, accompanied by members of the Trinity Historical Society. The tour will trace the history of the town from the 1700s to the present and will stop at the following historic sites: the Green Family Forge, the Trinity Museum, the Lester-Garland House, Ryan Shop, Hiscock House, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic church.)
Begins at the Trinity playfield
OPEN TO MEDIA
8:30 p.m.
Play No Man’s Land
(Their Excellencies will attend the play No Man’s Land by Kevin Major, presented by the Rising Tide Theatre. The play tells the story of the Newfoundland Regiment and the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, where 733 of 801 men in the 1st Newfoundland Regiment were killed in action or wounded—marking one of the greatest tragedy in the province’s history.)
Rising Tide Arts Centre, Trinity
PHOTO-OP
11:00 p.m.
Mug Up
(Following the play, Their Excellencies will meet with the festival’s cast, crew, and staff, with local veterans and youth, as well as with the volunteers and members of the Trinity Historical Society.)
Lester Garland Premises Historical Site, Trinity
PHOTO-OP
Sunday, July 9, 2006 – Corner Brook
3:00 p.m.
Public garden party
(Everyone is invited to come and meet Their Excellencies and Their Honours during a garden party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city. Their Excellencies will be greeted by Their Honours and His Worship Charles Pender, Mayor of Corner Brook.)
Jubilee Field, rain or shine.
OPEN TO MEDIA
Monday, July 10, 2006 – Stephenville and La Grand’ Terre (Mainland)
Stephenville
10:00 a.m.
Her Excellency
Discussion with town officials and community youth leaders
(The Governor General will be greeted by His Worship Tom O’Brien, Mayor of Stephenville, and will have a discussion with town officials about community development, the future direction for the town and opportunities for youth in a small town.)
Stephenville Council Chamber
OPEN TO MEDIA
Noon
Luncheon with local senior citizens in Stephenville
(Their Excellencies will meet with war veterans from neighbouring communities and senior citizens during an informal luncheon. Mayor Tom O’Brien will be present.)
Acadian Village, Stephenville
PHOTO-OP
La Grand’Terre (Mainland)
2:15 p.m.
Discussion with Francophone community in the Port-au Port Peninsula
(Their Excellencies will have a discussion about living in a minority language situation with members of the Francophone community and view a variety of short films created by youth with the help of the GénieArt program.)
Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne de La Grand’Terre (Mainland)
PHOTO-OP
4:00 p.m.
Cultural celebration with the members of the Port-au-Port Peninsula
(The Governor General will attend a cultural celebration with the residents of the Port-au Port Peninsula. The event will include remarks by the Governor General and by His Worship Peter Fenwick, Mayor of Cape St-Georges, musical performances, and square dancing.)
Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne de La Grand’Terre
PHOTO-OP
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 – Rocky Harbour, Gros Morne National Park
Rocky Harbour
Her Excellency
9:45 a.m.
Discussion with fishermen
(Her Excellency will have a discussion about the current state of island fisheries.)
Ocean View Motel
PHOTO-OP
11:15 a.m.
Informal luncheon with seniors
(His Worship Keith Shears, Mayor of Rocky Harbour and His Worship Joe Reid, Mayor of Norris Point will accompany the Governor General for this informal luncheon.)
Pioneer Senior’s Centre
PHOTO-OP
12:30 p.m.
Visit to Gros Morne Site
(Their Excellencies will travel to Western Brook Pond and go on a boat tour of an ancient fjord, accompanied by two Parks Canada guides.)
PHOTO-OP
4:30 p.m.
Departure for Ottawa
