Roundtable on the Good City, evening with writers and visit to Muskeg Lake Urban Reserve among highlights of Governor General's four day visit to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan January 19, 2004OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will spend four days in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from January 24 to 27, 2004. This will be the fourth in a series of visits focused on cities. The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will engage the people of Saskatoon in a series of dialogues designed to explore innovative approaches, initiatives and current projects that make Saskatoon a good place to live for all its residents."We want to know what it is that makes cities like Saskatoon a liveable city, a city that people feel pride in, that people feel they participate in," said the Governor General. "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, January 24, the Governor General will begin her visit by swearing in a group of new Canadian citizens and presenting two Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards to Saskatchewan residents who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. This joint public event, followed by a community reception, will take place at the Delta Bessborough Hotel at 2 p.m.Later that day, Governor General Clarkson and John Ralston Saul will explore Saskatoon through literature by taking part in an evening with writers at the Saskatoon Public Library. Entitled "Saskatoon, Literally: Our City through the Eyes of its Authors" , the public discussion will include authors Yann Martel, Tim Lilburn, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Louise Halfe and David Carpenter.Other highlights of the Governor General's four-day visit include getting to know the youth and Aboriginal communities of Saskatoon. The Governor General will take part in a roundtable discussion on civic engagement at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge on Sunday, January 25, at 1:30 p.m. as well as visit and meet with the Aboriginal people of the Muskeg Lake urban reserve on Monday, January 26 at 2 p.m.The visit will culminate in the Governor General's Roundtable on the Good City – a discussion with high school students to be held on Tuesday, January 27, at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph High School. The public is invited to attend and listen to what the young people of Saskatoon have to say about their city.Bringing Canadians together and reflecting Canadians to each other across the country are central roles of the Governor General. Over the past four 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. 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 Saskatoon will be released prior to the visit. Citations for the Caring Canadian Award recipients are attached (Annex). For more information on the Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards, please click on http://www.gg.ca/honours/caring_e.asp .-30-Media information: Marilyne Guèvremont Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280Annex Tanyss Bell Phillips, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardTanyss Bell Phillips has helped people in her community for 40 years. She has held every position within the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, prepared Christmas dinners and hampers, and served on the board of a program for young women in crisis. Through the pastoral care committee at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, she has visited many patients at Royal University Hospital. In addition to helping older adults retain their independence by running errands and providing them companionship, she has offered encouragement and guidance to the many young people she has met through her children and her church.Marvis Wilm , Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardBeing a volunteer is a way of life for Marvis Wilm. A member of the Lioness and Lions Club in Prince Albert for 20 years, she has served as its president, managed operations for the Lions Eye Bank of Saskatchewan, spearheaded an initiative to provide a family with Christmas dinner and gifts, and played a key role in the organization of many Lions Club special events. A committed fundraiser, she has devoted 12 years to the Canadian Diabetes Association. She has also gone above and beyond her duties as regional coordinator of disaster services for the Canadian Red Cross, volunteering hundreds of hours to train volunteers and provide emergency services.
