February 9, 2007
OTTAWATheir Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct their first official visit to Nova Scotia from February 12 to 14, 2007. During their three-day visit to Halifax, Their Excellencies will focus on activities that empower groups of diverse backgrounds to be heard, from women immigrants, youth, members of the province's Black community and artists, to Francophones and volunteers.
This will be the 11th provincial/territorial visit for the Governor General since being sworn into office. Governors general traditionally travel to every province and territory at the beginning of their mandate. Up to now, the Governor General has visited Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
-30-
Media information Marilyne GuèvremontRideau Hall Press Office 613-852-7021
Carla BurnsCoordinator, Communications SupportGovernment of Nova Scotia(902) 424-2876
Detailed ItineraryVisit to Nova Scotia, February 12-14, 2007Monday, February 12 Halifax
9:00 a.m.The Governor General Round-table discussion with immigrant womenThe Governor General will participate in a round-table discussion with immigrant women from the business, academic, health and public service communities on the challenges of adapting to Canada and on their recommendations for newly arrived immigrants. This event is the third in a series of round-table discussions held by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Please contact MaryAnna Jollymore at (902) 424-3742 for more information about the event. Pier 2, 1055 Marginal Road OPEN TO MEDIA FOR OPENING AND CLOSING REMARKSMedia planning to cover the opening remarks should gather outside Rudolph P. Bratty Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor, at 8:45 a.m. The round-table discussion is closed to media. Closing remarks will take place around 11 a.m. Media wishing to cover the closing remarks and to take part in the photo opportunity (presentations and group shot) should gather outside Rudolph P. Bratty Exhibition Hall at 10:45 a.m.
9:30 a.m.Jean-Daniel Lafond Meeting with representatives of the Francophone community As he has done in previous regional visits across the country, Jean-Daniel Lafond will host a discussion with members of the province's Francophone communityleaders, academics and studentson the state of Francophone affairs in Nova Scotia and in Canada, as well as on civic engagement and the role that universities can play in minority-language communities. Please contact Charles Crosby at (902) 494‑1269 for more information about the event.Lord Dalhousie Room, Dalhousie UniversityOPEN TO MEDIA
12:30 p.m.Jean-Daniel Lafond Tour and luncheon meeting with representatives of the food and wine industry as well as with students enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Nova Scotia Community CollegePlease contact Sarah Napier at (902) 491‑6781 for more information about the event.Akerley Campus, Dartmouth TOUR OF THE COLLEGE AND OPENING REMARKS OPEN TO MEDIA
1:30 p.m.The Governor General Visit to Phoenix House and discussion with Phoenix Youth Programs participantsThe Governor General will visit Phoenix House and meet youth, as well as caregivers and managers of Phoenix House, and discuss with them the challenges that they face and the programs offered by the facility. Phoenix House is a group home that houses at-risk and homeless youth for up to 18 months. The non-profit, community-based organization offers these Halifax youth the opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness and find a path from the street. Phoenix HouseCLOSED TO MEDIA
7:00 p.m. Community celebration to mark African Heritage MonthAs part of African Heritage Month, Their Excellencies will take part in a community celebration with members of Nova Scotia's Black community. During the event, the Governor General will deliver an address and unveil the Black Loyalist Heritage Society Coat of Arms, as well as be awarded the Black Cultural Centre's Award of Distinction. Please contact Dr. Henry Bishop at (902) 434‑6227 for more information about the event.Black Cultural Centre, 1149 Main Street, DartmouthOPEN TO MEDIAMedia planning to cover the event should arrive no later than 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Halifax
8:45 a.m. Presentation of the Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardsHer Excellency will deliver brief remarks and present Caring Canadian Awards to the following six Nova Scotians:
Recipients
Hometown
George Gabriel Aucoin
Cheticamp
Arthur "Sonny" Foster
Amherst
Gloria Goodwin
Yarmouth
Laura Middleton
Mount Uniacke
Cecil R. Small
Amherst
Doreen Joy Tillotson
Wolfville
The Award is presented to Canada's 'unsung heroes,' those individuals and groups whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in the community. Please visit our web site at www.gg.ca for the recipients' citations and for more information on the Caring Canadian Award.Lord Nelson Hotel, Admiral Room, 1515 South Park StreetOPEN TO MEDIAMedia planning to cover the event should arrive no later than 8:45 a.m.
Official welcoming ceremony10:00 a.m. Arrival at Province HouseThe Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond will be greeted by the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia, as well as by other provincial dignitaries. The welcoming ceremony will include the viceregal salute, a review of a 100-person guard of honour and a 21-gun salute.Outdoors, Province HouseOPEN TO MEDIA
10:30 a.m. Meeting with the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova ScotiaVeterans Room, Province HousePHOTO OP AT BEGINNING OF MEETING
11:00 a.m. Address by the Governor General to members of the Legislative Assembly and the people of Nova ScotiaThis event marks the first time that a Governor General has ever addressed the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. In addition to the Governor General's remarks, Premier MacDonald will offer welcoming remarks, followed by replies by the Leader of the Opposition and the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party. Photographers and camera operators will have access to restricted areas on the floor of the legislature for the remarks and should gather outside the legislative chamber at 10:50 a.m. Business dress is mandatory: no jeans, hats or t-shirts. Legislative Television will also provide a feed. Legislative Chamber, Province House
7:00 p.m.Dinner hosted by the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova ScotiaThe Maritime Museum of the AtlanticCLOSED TO MEDIA
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Halifax
9:00 a.m.Civic call on the Mayor of Halifax, His Worship Peter Kelly City Hall, Mayor's office PHOTO OP AT BEGINNING OF MEETINGThe Nova Scotia Mass Choir will perform on the main stairs of City Hall, followed by an official photograph with Mayor Peter Kelly. There will also be a photo opportunity of Her Excellency and the Councillors at about 9:15 a.m. on the 2nd floor.
10:30 a.m.The Governor General The Canada-Africa Youth ForumAs a follow‑up to the Governor General's three-week State visit to five African countries, Her Excellency will take part in the Canada-Africa Youth Forum, hosted by the Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University, on the next generation of Canada's partnership with Africa. Close to 1000 high‑school students from the greater Halifax area enrolled in international development courses will participate in the forum. Please contact Krista Hall at (902) 867-3648 for more information about the event.Prince Andrew High School, 37 Woodlawn Road, DartmouthOPEN TO MEDIAMedia planning on covering this event should arrive no later than 10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.Jean-Daniel Lafond Art Matters discussion with artists In the fall of 2006, the Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond launched Art Matters, a series of cultural dialogues held throughout the year in Ottawa and on the road. The forums, initiated by Mr. Lafond, give participants the opportunity to examine a particular artistic practice and explore its changes and challenges. While in Halifax, Jean‑Daniel Lafond will host an Art Matters round table with local cultural leaders, artists, writers and filmmakers. The discussion will focus on the visual arts as a lead up to the presentation of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts at Rideau Hall in March. Art Gallery of Nova ScotiaOPEN TO MEDIA
