Installation Ceremony of Julie Payette as the 29th Governor General of Canada

News Release

OTTAWA, September 29, 2017

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today unveiled details of the installation ceremony for Canada’s 29th Governor General, Julie Payette. The installation, which will be held in the Senate Chamber on October 2, 2017, will be a mix of old and new traditions. The public is invited to participate in person or watch the events live on television or online.

In keeping with previous installations, the key elements include the swearing-in ceremony, the presentation of Canadian Honours and the Great Seal of Canada, full military honours—including an inspection of the Guard of Honour—and an address by the new Governor General. The installation will also feature an Indigenous performance, as well as performances by outstanding Canadian artists.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Ms. Payette will walk from Parliament Hill to the National War Memorial and lay flowers in honour of Canada’s fallen, her first official act as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. Ms. Payette invites Canadians living in Canada’s Capital Region to share this moment with her.

We encourage Canadians across the country to take part in this exciting event. It will be broadcast live on television and for the first time ever, the installation of a Governor General will be livestreamed on the Canadian Heritage Facebook page.

The Department of Canadian Heritage is the lead federal department for the installation and is responsible for overseeing and administering the event, in partnership with several federal organizations.

Quotes

“Astronaut, engineer, scientist, businesswoman, proud Canadian: these are just some of the words that describe Julie Payette. Over her lifetime, Ms. Payette has represented Canada with pride, and will continue to do so in her new role as the 29th Governor General of Canada. I invite all Canadians to join us on October 2, 2017, for this exciting installation ceremony.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

  • The outline program for the Installation can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/governor-general-designate/installation.html

  • The following events are open to the public:

    – Arrival on Parliament Hill
    – Full military honours, including an inspection of the Guard of Honour, at the entrance to Centre Block after the swearing-in ceremony
    – Walk from Parliament Hill to the National War Memorial
    – Laying flowers at the National War Memorial
    – Arrival at Rideau Hall: Inspection of the Guard

  • Artists participating in the installation ceremony include Tafelmusik, Florent Vollant, Joannie Benoit and Melissa Bédard, Quartom, and others.

Associated Links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary (interim)
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

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