Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Speech on the Occasion of the Arrival of Their Majesties Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, and Queen Silvia
Rideau Hall, Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Your Majesties, it is a great honour and a pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall, and to join in welcoming you to Canada.
In a sense, I really should say “welcome back!”, given that this is a return visit for you.
Indeed, I see this State Visit, and the fact that you have been to our country before, as a powerful symbol of the strong friendship which unites Sweden and Canada.
In your travels to different parts of the country, I have no doubt that you will be reminded of how much we have in common: our shared commitment to international cooperation, to life-long learning, to progressive social policies, sports, environmental protection, and many other areas.
Given our similarities it is understandable that, over the years, Canada and Sweden have worked very closely together on a number of issues, including environmental stewardship, democratic development, human rights and the establishment of the International Criminal Court.
Now, with your visit, we have another opportunity to pursue the very fruitful dialogue between our two nations.
Of course, that is one of the chief benefits of such events… the chance for two peoples to get to know one another a little better, and to profit from the exchange of views.
I have no doubt that both our societies can benefit from what we have to learn from one another.
For example, I have heard that Swedish policy-makers are interested in learning more about Canada’s successful approach to cultural diversity. And I know that many Canadians would like more information about Sweden’s very successful gender equality policy, among others.
My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I look forward to discussing these and other subjects in our talks together, and I am certain that other Canadians feel the same way.
And so, in closing, we would like to wish you both a very interesting and rewarding visit to our country.
May the time you spend as our guests add new lustre to a friendship that has endured and grown stronger over many years, a friendship built on respect, cooperation and goodwill between our two nations.
Thank you and welcome again to Canada.
