Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will represent Canada at the state funeral of Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia, who passed away on Sunday December 18, 2011, at the age of 75. The Prime Minister also paid his respects to the former president by signing the book of condolences at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa.
In the wake of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, Mr. Havel led his post-Communist country through a period of significant change, first as President of Czechoslovakia, from 1989 to 1992, and then as the first President of the Czech Republic, from 1993 to 2003. Under his leadership, the Czech nation saw the introduction of multiparty democracy, accession into NATO, and preparation for membership in the European Union. Among his many distinctions, Mr. Havel is an Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada, and has received the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Ambassador of Conscience Award. He is also the author of many published plays and works of non-fiction.
The state funeral will be held on Friday, December 23 in Prague, Czech Republic.
