July 4, 2006
OTTAWA Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, and their daughter Marie-Éden will conduct their first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador from July 6 to 11, 2006. The visit will begin in St. John's with stops in Trinity, Corner Brook, Stephenville, La Grand'Terre (Mainland), Rocky Harbour, and Gros Morne National Park.
Listening to youth, women, seniors, veterans, fishermen, members of the Canadian Coast Guard, and artists will be central to the Governor General's visit to Newfoundland. Highlights will include engaging in round-table discussions with front-line staff working in the field of family violence prevention; town officials and community youth leaders on community development and opportunities for youth in a small town; members of the Francophone community on life in a minority language situation; fishermen on the current state of island fisheries; and Canadian Coast Guard members on the work that they do.
Other activities will include an informal discussion moderated by Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond with approximately 15 independent filmmakers at the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative (NIFCO), an association of independent filmmakers, video and multi-media producers.
This will be the 10th provincial visit for the Governor General since the beginning of her mandate. Governors general traditionally travel to every province and territory during the first year in office. Up to now, the Governor General has visited Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
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Media information
Lucie BrosseauRideau Hall Press Office613 998-0287 or 613 301-6252
Doris WalshExecutive Council, Communications BranchGovernment of Newfoundland and Labrador709 729-3812 or 709 691-7478
Lori Anne Companion Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor709 729-4494
Detailed ItineraryVisit to Newfoundland and Labrador, July 6 to11, 2006
Thursday, July 6, 2006 - St. John's
12:30 p.m.Administrative arrival (Their Excellencies will be greeted by His Honour the Honourable Edward Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Her Honour Eve Roberts.) St. John's International AirportCLOSED TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m.Official welcoming ceremony and meeting with the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador(All are invited to welcome the Governor General and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond as they arrive at the Confederation Building. They will be greeted by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Harvey Hodder, Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. The Governor General will review a guard of honour and meet privately with Premier Williams. She will also visit the House of Assembly, and sign the distinguished visitor's book. Outdoors, Confederation building OPEN TO MEDIA FOR OUTSIDE PORTION OF THE EVENT
2:30 p.m.Official reception with the members of the House of Assembly(Their Excellencies will meet with the members of the House of Assembly, representatives of local patron organizations, and youth groups. Both the Governor General and the Premier will deliver remarks.)The Rooms OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
4:00 p.m.Visit to Cape Spear National Historic Site-North America's most easterly point(Their Excellencies will walk to the Cape Spear Lightouse, the oldest existing lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, and learn about the significance of this site.)OPEN TO MEDIA
7:30 p.m.Dinner hosted by the Lieutenant Governor(Their Excellencies will attend a dinner hosted by His Honour the Honourable Edward Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Her Honour Eve Roberts. The Governor General and His Honour will deliver remarks.)Government HouseOPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
Friday, July 7, 2006 - St. John's
9:00 a.m.Her ExcellencyDiscussion with front-line workers working in the field of family violence prevention(Her Excellency will host a discussion with front-line workers on how they address the problem of family violence in the province and how they work towards building partnerships to find long-term solutions to the problem. The Governor General will deliver remarks.)Choices for Youth - Youth Service Centre, 12-16 Carter's Hill Place.OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
9:00 a.m.His ExcellencyRound-table discussion on filmmaking(His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will moderate a round-table discussion with approximatively 15 independent filmmakers at the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative (NIFCO), an association of independent filmmakers, video and multi-media producers.Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operativeOPEN TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m. Visit to The Rooms (Their Excellencies will tour the art gallery in the company of Dr. Shauna McCabe, Director.)The RoomsPHOTO-OP
4:00 p.m.Public Garden PartyEvery resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and any visitor to the province are invited to come and meet the Governor General, Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, their daughter Marie-Éden, as well as the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Roberts at the annual Garden Party from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of Government House. Grounds of Government HouseOPEN TO MEDIA
9:00 p.m.Magnetic North Theatre FestivalAs Patron of the Magnetic North Festival, the Governor General will attend the play How It Works by Daniel MacIvor, one of Canada's most celebrated playwrights.LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria StreetPHOTO-OP
Saturday, July 8, 2006 - St. John's and Trinity
9:30 a.m.Bestowal ceremony of the title 'Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard' (CCG) to the Governor General(The Governor General has been invited to a ceremony where she will be bestowed the title of Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. The ceremony will include the inspection of the Canadian Coast Guard guard of honour and remarks by the Governor General; the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; Mr. George Da Pont, acting CCG Commissioner; and Mr. Ray Browne, Regional Commissioner and master of ceremonies. The title of Honorary Chief Commissioner of the CCG was established in 1976 during the mandate of the Right Honourable Jules Léger.)Canadian Cost Guard Bas, South side, in St. John's Harbour OPEN TO MEDIA
11:00 a.m.Travel to Trinity(Their Excellencies and their daughter Marie-Éden will travel from St. John's to Trinity on board the Georges R. Pearks, a Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue ship, and by helicopter and will witness first-hand two aspects of the Canadian Coast Guard's work.)Canadian Cost Guard Base in St. John's HarbourPHOTO-OP UPON DEPARTURE
3:30 p.m.Arrival in Trinity(Their Excellencies will be greeted by His Worship Jim Miller, Mayor of Trinity, and Ms. Donna Butt, Artistic Director of the Rising Tide Theatre Company.)Trinity playfieldPHOTO-OP UPON ARRIVAL
3:40 p.m.Walking tour of Trinity(Their Excellencies will go on a historical walking tour of the town, accompanied by members of the Trinity Historical Society. The tour will trace the history of the town from the 1700s to the present and will stop at the following historic sites: the Green Family Forge, the Trinity Museum, the Lester-Garland House, Ryan Shop, Hiscock House, St. Paul's Anglican Church and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic church.)Begins at the Trinity playfieldOPEN TO MEDIA
8:30 p.m.Play No Man's Land(Their Excellencies will attend the play No Man's Land by Kevin Major, presented by the Rising Tide Theatre. The play tells the story of the Newfoundland Regiment and the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, where 733 of 801 men in the 1st Newfoundland Regiment were killed in action or woundedmarking one of the greatest tragedy in the province's history.)Rising Tide Arts Centre, TrinityPHOTO-OP
11:00 p.m.Mug Up(Following the play, Their Excellencies will meet with the festival's cast, crew, and staff, with local veterans and youth, as well as with the volunteers and members of the Trinity Historical Society.)Lester Garland Premises Historical Site, TrinityPHOTO-OP
Sunday, July 9, 2006 - Corner Brook
3:00 p.m.Public garden party(Everyone is invited to come and meet Their Excellencies and Their Honours during a garden party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city. Their Excellencies will be greeted by Their Honours and His Worship Charles Pender, Mayor of Corner Brook.)Jubilee Field, rain or shine.OPEN TO MEDIA
Monday, July 10, 2006 - Stephenville and La Grand' Terre (Mainland)
Stephenville
10:00 a.m.Her Excellency Discussion with town officials and community youth leaders(The Governor General will be greeted by His Worship Tom O'Brien, Mayor of Stephenville, and will have a discussion with town officials about community development, the future direction for the town and opportunities for youth in a small town.)Stephenville Council ChamberOPEN TO MEDIA
NoonLuncheon with local senior citizens in Stephenville (Their Excellencies will meet with war veterans from neighbouring communities and senior citizens during an informal luncheon. Mayor Tom O'Brien will be present.)Acadian Village, StephenvillePHOTO-OP
La Grand'Terre (Mainland)
2:15 p.m.Discussion with Francophone community in the Port-au Port Peninsula(Their Excellencies will have a discussion about living in a minority language situation with members of the Francophone community and view a variety of short films created by youth with the help of the GénieArt program.) Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne de La Grand'Terre (Mainland)PHOTO-OP
4:00 p.m.Cultural celebration with the members of the Port-au-Port Peninsula(The Governor General will attend a cultural celebration with the residents of the Port-au Port Peninsula. The event will include remarks by the Governor General and by His Worship Peter Fenwick, Mayor of Cape St-Georges, musical performances, and square dancing.)Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne de La Grand'TerrePHOTO-OP
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - Rocky Harbour, Gros Morne National Park
Rocky Harbour
Her Excellency9:45 a.m.Discussion with fishermen (Her Excellency will have a discussion about the current state of island fisheries.)Ocean View MotelPHOTO-OP
11:15 a.m.Informal luncheon with seniors(His Worship Keith Shears, Mayor of Rocky Harbour and His Worship Joe Reid, Mayor of Norris Point will accompany the Governor General for this informal luncheon.)Pioneer Senior's CentrePHOTO-OP
12:30 p.m.Visit to Gros Morne Site(Their Excellencies will travel to Western Brook Pond and go on a boat tour of an ancient fjord, accompanied by two Parks Canada guides.)PHOTO-OP
4:30 p.m.Departure for Ottawa
