Governor General’s Official Visit to British Columbia March 7 to 9, 2006
February 23, 2006
OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will travel to Victoria and Vancouver on her first official visit to British Columbia, from March 7 to 9, 2006.
Traditionally, governors general travel to each province and territory during the first year of their mandate to meet with Canadians in their respective communities.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
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Media information in Ottawa
Lucie Brosseau
Rideau Hall Press Office
(613) 998-0287
March 6 to 9 in B.C.
Randy Mylyk
Press Secretary to the Governor General
(613) 302-6182
Amy Mason
Media Relations Officer
Government of B.C.
(250) 213-2888
Detailed Itinerary Visit to British Columbia, March 7 to 9, 2006
Tuesday, March 7 – Victoria, the province capital
Official Welcoming Ceremony
10:00 a.m.
Arrival at the Legislative Assembly
(The Governor General will be greeted by the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia. The welcoming ceremony will include the Naden Band, a guard of honour comprised of 100 Canadian Forces members from Maritime Forces Pacific, and a 21-gun royal salute fired by 5th B.C. Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery. Premier Campbell and the Governor General will offer remarks.
Outdoors, Legislative Assembly
OPEN TO MEDIA
10:50 a.m.
Choral performance and signing of the British Columbia distinguished visitor’s book
Upper Rotunda and Member’s Lounge respectively, Legislative Assembly
OPEN TO MEDIA and PHOTO OP
11:00 a.m.
Official welcome ceremony
The Honourable Bill Barisoff, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, will offer welcoming remarks. The Governor General will deliver an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly, to which the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, and Carole James, Leader of the Opposition will reply.
Legislative Assembly
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:30 a.m.
Meeting with the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
Premier’s office
PHOTO OP
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1:00 p.m.
Visit to Maritime Forces Pacific at Esquimalt and sail onboard the Halifax Class frigate HMCS Calgary
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Wednesday, March 8 – Victoria and Vancouver
Civic call on the City of Victoria
9:00 a.m.
Meeting with His Worship Alan Lowe, Mayor of Victoria
(Upon arrival at Victoria City Hall, the Governor General will be greeted by His Worship Alan Lowe, Mayor of Victoria, and with a traditional Chinese lion dance.)
Victoria City Hall
PHOTO OP UPON ARRIVAL
9:30 a.m.
Official welcome ceremony and presentation of Governor General’s Caring Canadian Awards
(The ceremony will include remarks by the mayor of Victoria and the Governor General, the signing of the distinguished visitor’s book, and music. The Governor General will also present three Vancouver Island residents with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. Information on the recipients will be issued at a later date.) Council Chambers, Victoria City Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
10:45 a.m.
Walk to the Gates of Harmonious Interest
(The Governor General will walk through Centennial Square, by the landmark Chinese Public School, to the
Gates of Harmonious Interest in Chinatown. Members of the public are welcome to come and greet the Governor General.)
OPEN TO MEDIA
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12:30 p.m.
Luncheon hosted by Her Honour the Honourable Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on the occasion of International Women’s Day
(The Lieutenant Governor and the Governor General will deliver remarks)
Government House
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS, MEDIA ARE KINDLY ASKED TO ARRIVE FOR 12:30 P.M.
3:30 p.m. Departure for Vancouver
5:30 p.m.
Visit with clients, staff, volunteers and partners of MOSAIC and discussion with young immigrants
(The event is organized to celebrate MOSAIC’s 30th anniversary. The Governor General will offer remarks. MOSAIC is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society.)
MOSAIC, 1720 Grant Street
OPEN TO MEDIA
Thursday, March 9 – Vancouver
Civic call on the City of Vancouver
9:00 a.m.
Official welcome ceremony
(The Governor General will be greeted by His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver. The ceremony will include an honour guard of Police and Fire services personnel, and remarks by the Governor General and the Mayor of Vancouver. The Governor General will also go on a walkabout in the main plaza. Members of the public are welcome to come and greet the Governor General.)
Outdoors, City Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
9:45 a.m.
Unveiling of the 1952 Olympic flag from the first Winter Olympic Games in Oslo
(The ceremony will continue inside City Hall with the unveiling of the 1952 Olympic flag from the first Winter Olympic Games in Oslo.)
Rotunda, City Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
10:00 a.m.
Meeting with His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver
CLOSED TO MEDIA
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12:00 p.m.
Luncheon hosted by the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
(The Premier and the Governor General will offer remarks)
Four Season’s Hotel
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
3:00 p.m.
Discussion at the third annual NACCA Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Symposium
(The Governor General will offer opening remarks, followed by an interactive discussion with 200 Aboriginal entrepreneurs between the ages of 19 and 35 from across the country. A brief reception will follow the discussion. The event is part of a three-day youth conference organized by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association.)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
OPEN TO MEDIA
