FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2012
OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will go to France, on August 19 and 20, 2012, to take part in special events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. Notably, the Governor General will deliver a speech during the official Canadian ceremony in the Square du Canada, on Sunday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m.
“We must remember, and never forget, that the Dieppe Raid was one of the most devastating and bloody chapters in Canadian military history. But this tragic event provided the Allied forces with invaluable lessons that ensured the success of D-Day in 1944,” the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada stated. “The sacrifice of those Canadians was not in vain. I am proud to honour their memory today.”
His Excellency will join the Honourable Steve Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and a Canadian delegation that includes veterans from the Dieppe Raid.
For more information about the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, including the itinerary of events overseas, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada site at www.veterans.gc.ca.
The visit itinerary is as follows (Central European Summer Time):
9 a.m.
Ceremony at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery
The Governor General will join, among others, Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Ambassador to France; Mr. Philippe Zeller, French Ambassador to Canada; Mr. Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Kader Arif, French Junior Minister for Veterans; and Mr. Guy Parent, Veterans Ombudsman, in a wreath-laying ceremony and religious service at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery (also known as the Canadian Cemetery Les Vertus). This event commemorating the Dieppe Raid is held each year.
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery
OPEN TO MEDIA
10:30 a.m.
Official Canadian ceremony at the Square du Canada
The Governor General will deliver a speech, help to unveil a commemorative plaque at the entrance to the Square and lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada during a ceremony attended by military personnel, a regimental band (Canadian contingent), mayors and residents of the area. This event is being organized by Veterans Affairs Canada in partnership with the City of Dieppe.
Square du Canada
OPEN TO MEDIA
12:30 p.m.
Reception hosted by the City of Dieppe
The Governor General will deliver a speech during this reception open to the public. A medal of honour will be presented to Mr. Jacques Nadeau, a Canadian veteran of the Dieppe Raid, by Mr. Sébastien Jumel, Mayor of the city of Dieppe, during this event.
Marquee on the Esplanade
OPEN TO MEDIA
4 p.m.
Ceremony at the Royal Regiment of Canada Monument
The Governor General will lay a wreath on behalf of Canadians during a ceremony organized by the City of Dieppe to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The Royal Regiment of Canada sustained the heaviest losses in a single day of any other regiment during the Second World War.
Royal Regiment of Canada Monument
OPEN TO MEDIA
6:30 p.m.
Mass at the Église Saint-Jacques
The Governor General will give a reading during a mass celebrated on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The Archbishop of Rouen, Jean-Charles Descubes, will say the mass, accompanied by Abbot Pierre de Prémare of Dieppe and Chaplain El Dahdouh of the Canadian Forces.
Église Saint-Jacques
OPEN TO MEDIA
9 a.m.
Ceremony at the Pourville Memorial
The Governor General will join Minister Blaney and the Canadian delegation to pay tribute to the members of the South Saskatchewan Regiment and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada as part of the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. His Excellency will deliver a speech and lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada. Two commemorative sculptures will also be unveiled during the event.
Pourville Memorial
OPEN TO MEDIA
-30-
Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
On site, in France:
Joanne Charette
Communications Advisor and Official Spokesperson to the Governor General
613-852-5364
joanne.charette@gg.ca
