Annual Children's Christmas Party and Ceremony honouring new citizens and community volunteers among highlights of Governor General's five-day visit to Saint John, New BrunswickNovember 25, 2003OTTAWA– Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will spend five days in Saint John, New Brunswick, from December 6 to 10, 2003. This will be the third in a series of visits focused on cities. Their Excellencies will engage citizens of Saint John in a series of dialogues designed to explore innovative approaches, initiatives and current projects that make Saint John a good place to live for all its citizens."We want to know what it is that makes a good city a liveable city, a city that people feel pride in, that people feel they participate in," said the Governor General during her first urban visit to Calgary last March. "And we've focused on cities because that's where you find in Canada the largest diversity, the greatest extremes of social and economic conditions and the most intense concentration of creative, innovative citizens who are trying to put together the fabric of a new kind of urban life."On Saturday December 6, the Governor General will begin her visit by swearing in25 new Canadian citizens and present eight Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards to New Brunswick residents who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. This joint public event will take place at Harbour View High School at 3 p.m.The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will also share in celebrations of this year's holiday season with people from Saint John. They will host a noon-hour Governor General's Children's Christmas Party at the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John and attend "Christmas at the Centre" at the Saint John Arts Centre on Sunday, December 7, as well as attend the School District 6 "Stringstravaganza Christmas Celebration" at the Imperial Theatre on Tuesday, December 9. The visit will culminate in the Governor General's Roundtable on the Good City––a public lunchtime discussion to be held on Wednesday, December 10, at the Imperial Theatre. Everyone is invited to participate, to build on the various dialogues and to broaden the discussions that will have taken place during the visit. Bringing Canadians together and reflecting Canadians to each other across the country are central roles of the Governor General. Over the past three and a half years, the Governor General and John Ralston Saul have spent time getting to know Canadians in hundreds of cities, towns and villages all across Canada. Assembling people in an open atmosphere to talk about their communities, the realities of their lives, as well as their hopes and aspirations has always been central to this time spent with Canadians, and it is the cornerstone of this series of visits to urban centres across the country.A detailed itinerary of the Governor General's visit to Saint John will be released prior to the visit. Citations for the Caring Canadian Award recipients are attached(Annex A).-30-Media information: Marilyne Guèvremont Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280 www.gg.ca Annex A Citations for the Caring Canadian Award Recipients Robert Wayne Constable, Fredericton, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardRobert Wayne Constable gives generously of his time to the Sea Cadet Corps' summer sailing program and voluntarily provides legal advice to the Cadet movement and its members. As provincial chair for Cadets Caring for Canada, Mr. Constable mobilized the majority of his province's Cadet Corps to participate in the promotion of environmental awareness and stewardship. He was instrumental in his province's implementation of the Duke of Edinburgh's Young Canadians Challenge Program, which emphasizes personal responsibility to the community. Mr. Constable also serves local branches of the Royal Canadian Naval Veterans' Association and the Lung Association. Denise DeGrâce, Grande-Anse, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor 35 years, Denise DeGrâce has worked to improve her community by launching many cultural and social initiatives. She has devoted herself to the youth of her region, organizing educational trips for 14 years and preparing free hot meals for disadvantaged children. Greatly concerned with the well-being of seniors, Mrs. DeGrâce makes regular visits to local hospitals and the Résidence Mgr. Doucet. Whether organizing Christmas boxes, giving night classes to adults or catechism classes in her parish, Mrs. DeGrâce has been involved in many good causes.Kevin James Langford, Saint John, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian Award Kevin James Langford's dedication to music and to the teaching of choral singing goes far beyond his duties as a teacher at Rothesay Elementary School. He devotes countless noon hours, evenings and weekends to conducting many youth choirs, which often hold fundraising concerts for local charities. Despite the fact that his reputation allows him to command high fees for his services, he frequently chooses to conduct and teach free-of-charge when money is scarce, propelled by his desire to share music. Mr. Langford's enthusiastic approach to music instruction has won the hearts of legions of students, many of whom have gone on to pursue musical careers.Gilmond Larocque, Lamèque, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardGilmond Larocque's volunteer work, spanning 40 years, has involved sports for young people and the well-being of seniors. For the past 20 years, he has been very active in the Jeux de l'Acadie. He also raised funds for the construction of the Lamèque arena and coordinated extracurricular sports. Mr. Larocque was a board member for the Lucien-Saindon residences, the Lamèque hospital and the New Brunswick Nursing Home Association. Whether by organizing weekly bowling sessions, playing the accordion for seniors and people with disabilities or making appearances as Santa Claus for local children, Mr. Larocque has always helped the people of his community.Adelaïde Le Bouthillier, Pont-LaFrance, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor some 30 years now, Adelaïde Le Bouthillier has been a canvasser for the Red Cross. A founding member of the Marguerite Bourgeois chapter of the Rivière-du-Portage Women's Institute since 1975, she has served as vice-president on several occasions and as a delegate to provincial conferences. As a member of the Institute, she has often visited patients, seniors and persons with disabilities in care homes. For 10 years, she chaired the Daughters of Isabella chapter of Rivière-du-Portage parish. She has served as a Eucharistic minister and catechist and has helped prepare meals for families after funerals. Mrs. Le Bouthillier has always found the time to volunteer in her parish.Neil E. McKeil, Lower Coverdale, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardOn behalf of the Moncton Food Bank, Neil McKeil volunteers several hours a day, six days a week, to oversee the distribution of food to 19 food banks and two food kitchens in New Brunswick. As president and director, he coordinates volunteers, speaks to charitable organizations and clubs about the need to help the less fortunate, and works closely with local organizations to plan food drives. Mr. McKeil also helps to prepare and serve meals for underprivileged youth through his church. For decades, he has also worked to raise money for charities through the Shriners, the Masonic Order and the Fraternal Order of the United Commercial Travellers. Mr. McKeil goes to extraordinary lengths on a daily basis to combat hunger in his community.Rita Savoie, Eel River Crossing, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardA woman who devotes her time and energy to the service of others, Rita Savoie has been involved for over 30 years in many parish activities, including bingos, fundraising events and bazaars. She is president of the New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Association and chairs the board of directors of the Manoir de la Rivière, a home for seniors. Despite her busy schedule, she is always prepared to help others, whether by serving communion or driving people to appointments. James A. Stewart, O.N.B., D.F.C., St. Andrews, New Brunswick Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardThe volunteer efforts of James Stewart have touched the lives of youth, veterans andcancer patients. He served as treasurer of the Charlotte County Cancer Society,drove many cancer patients to Saint John for treatment and helped them obtain financial assistance. He supports veterans' rights through the Royal Canadian Legion and has been a member, treasurer and president of several non-profit organizations. He has assisted Meals on Wheels and helped establish the Hospice of Charlotte County. He participates in a weekly reading program at a local school and travels to schools to teach children the significance of Remembrance Day. Mr. Stewart serves his community in a number of capacities with seemingly boundless energy.
