February 17, 2009
No. A/11
U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Ottawa on February 19, 2009. For access to the sites and the media work centre, media representatives, including members of Ottawa’s Parliamentary Press Gallery, must have official accreditation.
As access to the sites is limited, media outlets will be pooled. Receiving media accreditation does not automatically guarantee access to all events. Accredited Canadian media organizations or individuals may pick up their documentation and pool passes at the Media Accreditation Office on Wednesday, February 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
A media work centre has been established to support accredited Canadian media throughout the visit. The centre will be located on the 5th floor of 150 Wellington Street. Accredited media will have access to 150 work stations with Internet and telephone connections from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
Transportation to the Canadian Reception Centre (CRC) at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport will be provided for Canadian media representatives who have obtained the Airport Pool 1 pass. Buses will travel between 150 Wellington Street and the CRC according to the following schedule (all times EST):
While the Parliament Hill grounds will be open to the public, enhanced security measures will be in place on February 19 for selected pooled media. Those who have been given a pool pass for events on Parliament Hill should arrive at the Visitor’s Welcome Centre, just inside the public entrance to the Centre Block, no later than 10:30 a.m. EST to undergo screening.
For more information, please contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Media Accreditation Office
Accreditation Centre, 2nd Floor
165 Sparks Street
Booth Building
613-995-6200
