January 16, 2008
OTTAWA Their Excellencies, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, will undertake an official visit to Western Canada from January 17 to 25, 2008.
Their Excellencies will begin their visit in Calgary, where they will take part in the High Performance Rodeo festival, of which Mr. Lafond is the honorary patron. The festival will also serve as a backdrop for an Art Matters forum exploring the theme of "Art in an Economic Boom."
Their Excellencies will also be making their first visit to the Okanagan Valley to meet with wine industry representatives.
The visit west will conclude in Vancouver, where the Governor General will take part in her sixth Urban Arts Forum in Canada to discover how young Vancouver artists are putting their talents to use for the greater good.
During their visit in the West, Their Excellencies will also visit several establishments that offer support to people in need.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Thursday, January 17 Calgary
3:00 p.m.Governor General's Caring Canadian Award The Governor General will present the Caring Canadian Award to three volunteers: Eve Elizabeth Keates, Ellen J. Morrell and Dory Rossiter. Created in 1996 by the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, the award is presented to individuals and groups whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in the community. Recipients have served over a number of years and normally have not been recognized previously by a national or provincial honour. Additional information about this award can be found at www.gg.ca/honours/awards/cca/index_e.asp.
The award consists of a framed certificate and a lapel pin for everyday wear. The award symbol represents Canadians who selflessly give of their time and energy to others.McDougall Centre, 455 6th Street SW, CalgaryOPEN TO MEDIA
Friday, January 18 Calgary
10:00 a.m.Visit to the Glenbow Museum storage spaceTheir Excellencies will visit the Glenbow Museum storage space, to learn more about the history and rich collections of one of Western Canada's pre-eminent museums.CLOSED TO MEDIA
1:00 p.m.Discussion on housingTheir Excellencies will meet with representatives of community groups and associations to discuss Calgary's housing and homelessness situation.Mustard SEED Street Ministry, 105 10th Avenue SE, CalgaryOPEN TO MEDIA
5:00 p.m.Meeting with recipients of the Order of CanadaIn honour of the 40th anniversary of the Order of Canada, Their Excellencies will meet with recipients from Alberta.CLOSED TO MEDIA
Saturday, January 19 Calgary
2:00 p.m.Art MattersDuring the High Performance Rodeo festival, Their Excellencies will host an Art Matters discussion on "Art in an Economic Boom". Led by Mr. Blake Brooker, co‑artistic director of One Yellow Rabbit theatre, the discussion will be open to the public.Big Secret Theatre, EPCOR Centre, 225 8th Avenue SE, CalgaryOPEN TO MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC
7:30 p.m.Tubular Bells performanceTheir Excellencies will attend Tubular Bells, a performance staged on by The Bergmann Duo and the Alberta Ballet as part of the High Performance Rodeo festival. Mr. Lafond will offer remarks during a reception following the performance.Grand Theatre Junction, 608 1st Street SW, CalgaryOPEN TO MEDIA (RECEPTION OPEN TO MEDIA FOR SPEECHES ONLY)
Sunday, January 20 to Tuesday, January 22 Okanagan Valley
Their Excellencies will be making their first trip to the Okanagan Valley to meet with wine industry representatives.CLOSED TO MEDIA
2:15 p.m., January 22Meeting with the Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Chief Clarence LouieTheir Excellencies will travel to Osoyoos to meet with Chief Clarence Louie, champion of economic development and improved living conditions in his community.Desert Centre, OsoyoosPHOTO
Wednesday, January 23 Vancouver
1:30 p.m.Walking tour of the Downtown Eastside and ChinatownTheir Excellencies will visit the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, the Bridge Housing Centre, an emergency shelter, a community centre for an informal meeting with community representatives. They will also visit the Chinatown Millennium Gate.Media who wish to cover this event are invited to meet outside of the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre at 1:20 p.m.PHOTOS OPPORTUNITIES
3:15 p.m.Roundtable discussion with the Big City Mayors Caucus of the Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesTheir Excellencies will discuss issues such as housing, mental health and treatment centres with representatives from major Canadian cities during a roundtable forum, in collaboration with the Canadian Housing Action Network.CLOSED TO MEDIA
6:30 p.m.Meeting with recipients of the Order of CanadaIn honour of the 40th anniversary of the Order of Canada, Their Excellencies will meet with recipients from British Columbia. CLOSED TO MEDIA
Thursday, January 24 Vancouver
3:30 p.m.Visit to La BoussoleTheir Excellencies will visit La Boussole, the Francophone community centre supporting Vancouver's French-speaking community. La Boussole, 612 Broadway Street East, VancouverVISIT OPEN TO MEDIA
7:30 p.m.Urban Arts ForumAs part of her national tour to encourage young Canadians from disenfranchised neighbourhoods to consider how they can use art to bring about change in their communities, the Governor General will participate in her eighth community forum on youth and the urban arts, two of which took place on foreign soil. The discussion will include approximately 125 young artists representing various neighbourhoods and organizations from the Vancouver area, as well as decision makers, Order of Canada recipients and philanthropists.Centre A Gallery, 2 Hastings Street West, VancouverOPEN TO MEDIA
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Media informationIsabelle SerrurierRideau Hall Press Office613-998-7280
www.gg.cawww.citizenvoices.gg.ca
Annex A Recipients of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Eve Elizabeth Keates, Alix, AlbertaGovernor General's Caring Canadian Award
Eve Keates has actively supported many community events and organizations in the small community of Alix, including the Alix Museum Society and the Agricultural Society. For over 20 years, she has served as secretary of her church, organizing numerous charitable events each year in support of her parish. In addition, she helped to establish the Alix Food Bank in 2002, and is always present to provide provisions or quiet help to people in need. A passionate volunteer, she continues to dedicate many hours towards the vitality and enrichment of her community.
Ellen J. Morrell, Calgary, AlbertaGovernor General's Caring Canadian Award
Beginning in 1996, Ellen Morrell set out to improve the quality of life for many veterans and seniors in Calgary. She served on the Veterans Health Task Force and dedicated considerable time and energy towards the construction of a new care facility for veterans. Her efforts also helped to raise over two million dollars in just three years. Following the 2003 opening of the Carewest Colonel Belcher facility, Mrs. Morrell facilitated the settling of 170 residents into their new home, and served as a director of the Friends of Colonel Belcher, attentively addressing the needs and concerns of the residents. She continues to be a full-time volunteer and can be seen throughout the centre, brightening the days of the residents.
Dory Rossiter, Lethbridge, AlbertaGovernor General's Caring Canadian Award
A weather anchor for CTV Lethbridge, Dory Rossiter has balanced her busy career with over 30 years of community service, giving much of her time and energy to a number of benevolent causes. She has hosted numerous fundraising galas and has acted as master of ceremonies for many charity events, including the Harvest Moon for senior health research, and the Iris Gala for schizophrenia research. For 16 years, she has worked steadily to promote the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is also actively involved with Volunteer Lethbridge, often visiting with seniors and cancer patients, as well as speaking with students about the harmful effects of bullying.
