OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will attend the State funeral for Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, on Friday, December 23, 2011, in Prague. The service will begin at noon at St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.
“Václav Havel embodied principles that are so dear to Canadians. This, above all, is why he was invested as an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada, in 2004. And so, on behalf of all Canadians, I am honoured to attend the funeral for this man who so passionately defended the ideals of democracy,” the Governor General stated.
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Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
