May 3, 2006
OTTAWA -- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct their first regional visit to Saskatchewan from May 8 to 10, 2006. The visit will begin in Regina, with stops in Fort Qu'Appelle and Qu'Appelle.
During their three-day visit to Saskatchewan, Their Excellencies will focus on activities that empower groups of diverse backgrounds, from youth and First Nations to residents of North Central Regina's inner city, to be heard.
This will be the 8th provincial visit for the Governor General since the beginning of her mandate. Governors general traditionally travel to every province and territory during their first year in office. Up to now, the Governor General has visited Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, and she will visit Alberta from May 4 to 6, 2006. For more information on the Governor General, please visit our Web site at www.gg.ca
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Media informationMarilyne GuèvremontRideau Hall Press Office(613) 852-7021
Gladys WasylenchukGovernment RelationsRegina(306) 787-1370
Detailed ItineraryVisit to Saskatchewan, May 8 to 10, 2006
Monday, May 8 - Regina, the provincial capital
Official Welcoming Ceremony (outdoors)12:30 p.m. Arrival at the Legislative Assembly
The Saskatchewan public is invited to welcome the Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond as they arrive at the Legislature in the provincial landau. They will be greeted by the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Lorne Calvert. The welcoming ceremony will include the Vice-Regal Salute and a review of the guard of honour, as well as the 21-Gun Salute. Premier Calvert will speak, followed by the Governor General. Her Excellency will then go on a walk-about from the Queen Elizabeth Gardens to the war memorials to meet the public, as well as veterans and war brides.Outdoors, Legislative AssemblyOPEN TO MEDIA
2:00 p.m. Official welcoming ceremony (indoors)After a brief tour of the Legislature, the Governor General will meet privately with Premier Calvert. Their Excellencies will then proceed inside the Legislative Assembly, where the Speaker, the Honourable P. Myron Kowalsky, and the Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour the Honourable Dr. Lynda Haverstock, will offer welcoming remarks. The Governor General will be presented with the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. She will then deliver an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and the people of Saskatchewan, to which the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition will reply.Indoors, Legislative AssemblyTOUR AND MEETING WITH PREMIER CLOSED TO MEDIASPEECHES OPEN TO MEDIA
7:00 p.m. Dinner offered by the Government of Saskatchewan and hosted by Premier CalvertThe Premier, the Provincial Secretary and the Governor General will offer remarks.Conexus Arts CenterOPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
Tuesday, May 9 - Regina, Fort Qu'Appelle and Qu'Appelle
10:00 a.m. Official welcoming ceremony by the Treaty 4 First NationThis first visit by the Governor General to the Treaty 4 First Nation will consist of a traditional arrival ceremony, welcome dance, honour song and community reception. Governor General Michaëlle Jean will also deliver remarks. Her Excellency will then meet privately with the Tribal Council, elders and youth. Treaty 4 Governance CentreCEREMONY OPEN TO MEDIAMEETING CLOSED TO MEDIA
12:00 p.m. Visit to Fort Qu'Appelle After the Mayor of Fort Qu'Appelle, His Worship Ron Osika, greets the Governor General, the people of the community are invited to meet Her Excellency during her walking tour of the town.OPEN TO MEDIA
1:50 p.m. Visit to Qu'AppelleThe Governor General will meet with the Mayor of Qu'Appelle, His Worship David Thomson. The public is then invited to meet the Governor General during a community gathering at the James Hamblin School. James Hamblin School, Qu'AppelleOPEN TO MEDIA EXCEPT MEETING WITH MAYOR
4:15 p.m. Civic call on the City of ReginaThe Governor General will meet with His Worship Pat Fiacco, Mayor of Regina, as well as with city councillors.Regina City HallCLOSED TO MEDIA
4:45 p.m. Walking tour of North Central ReginaThe Governor General and the Mayor will walk through North Central Regina and visit the homes of some of the people in the community. This sector of Regina is in the process of being revitalized by an innovative partnership between the three levels of government and community associations. The tour will conclude with a community reception at the North Central Community Centre.North Central Community Centre, 1264 Athol Street, ReginaCOMMUNITY RECEPTION OPEN TO MEDIAWALKING TOUR POOLED MEDIA (Note: please contact Gladys Wasylenchuk at (306) 787-1370 for more information)
Wednesday, May 10 - Regina
9:00 a.m. Performance by NightWind Theatre and discussion with youthTheir Excellencies will attend The Ills of Society, a dramatic narrative by Regina youth from the NightWind Theatre group. The play will be followed by a discussion on youth engagement with the performers and with youth from the Street Culture Café.Performance: YMCA, 2400 13th Avenue, ReginaDiscussion: Street Culture CaféPERFORMANCE OPEN TO MEDIAPHOTO OP AT BEGINNING OF DISCUSSION ONLY
12:00 p.m. Official luncheon hosted by Her Honour the Honourable Dr. Lynda Haverstock, Lieutenant Governor of SaskatchewanThe Lieutenant Governor and the Governor General will deliver remarks.Government HouseOPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
2:30 p.m. Discussion with women chiefs and eldersThe Governor General will sit down privately with 12 women chiefs and elders from across Saskatchewan to discuss leadership.Government HouseCLOSED TO MEDIA
4:00 p.m. Visit to the RCMP AcademyThe Governor General will tour the RCMP Buffalo Scenario Village. At 4:30 p.m., Her Excellency will address cadets at the Drill Hall. Following her remarks, she will visit the chapel and then proceed to the Cenotaph, where she will lay flowers to honour all fallen members.RCMP Academy, Depot DivisionTOUR OF SCENARIO VILLAGE AND VISIT TO CHAPEL CLOSED TO MEDIASPEECH TO CADETS AND EVENT AT CENOTAPH OPEN TO MEDIA
His Excellency - Discussion with Saskatchewan filmmakers 2:30 p.m. His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will participate in a discussion with Saskatchewan documentary filmmakers and producers on civic engagement.CanSask Sound Stage, 1831 College Avenue, ReginaOPEN TO MEDIA
