OTTAWA - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada will be in Edmonton and Cold Lake, Alberta, on March 27 and 28, 2014.
The Governor General will start his visit in Edmonton where he will participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Education Day. At the end of Education Day, His Excellency will be inducted as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada honorary witness. That evening, he will attend an event celebrating the Edmonton Community Foundation's 25th anniversary, where he will deliver remarks.
On the second day, His Excellency will travel to 4 Wing Cold Lake where he will meet with Canadian Armed Forces members and learn more about the tactical fighter and combat support squadrons that are part of this Royal Canadian Air Force base.
Here is a detailed schedule of the Governor General's itinerary:
9:45 a.m.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Alberta National Event Education Day Opening Ceremony
The Governor General will attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's (TRC) Alberta National Event and deliver remarks at the opening ceremony of Education Day. He will then spend that morning attending various TRC activities and workshops under such themes as Indigenous Traditions of Reconciliation and Breaking Stereotypes.
The TRC hosts events across the country to raise awareness about the residential school system and its lasting legacy. The TRC is holding its seventh and final national event from March 27 to 30, 2014. For more information on the TRC, please visit http://www.trc.ca.
Shaw Conference Centre, Hall D, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Frayne, 204-297-4853,heather.frayne@trc.ca.
2:30 p.m.
TRC Commissioners Sharing Panel
The Governor General will hear from survivors, intergenerational survivors, former teachers and former school staff during the TRC Commissioners Sharing Panel. This panel provides individuals with the chance to speak publicly about the effects the residential schools have had on their lives and to share their views directly with the TRC commissioners.
Shaw Conference Centre, Hall A, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Frayne, 204-297-4853,heather.frayne@trc.ca.
4 p.m.
TRC Expressions of Reconciliation
The Governor General will serve as a witness to expressions of reconciliation from individuals, organizations and other parties involved in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement who wish to publicly state their commitment to healing and reconciliation, and who wish to speak on the ways in which they are contributing to that journey.
Shaw Conference Centre, Hall A, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Frayne, 204-297-4853,heather.frayne@trc.ca.
5 p.m.
TRC Call to Gather
During the TCR Call to Gather, the Governor General will be inducted as a TRC honorary witness. Following the induction, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, will deliver his Honorary Witness statement, after which His Excellency will be called upon to bear witness and deliver his own Honorary Witness statements.
The Call to Gather consists of a summary of the day's activities, and provides an opportunity for the honorary witnesses to reflect on what they have seen and heard during their time at the national event.
Shaw Conference Centre, Hall A, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Frayne, 204-297-4853,heather.frayne@trc.ca.
6:30 p.m.
Celebrating the Edmonton Community Foundation 25th Anniversary
The Governor General will address guests during one of the events celebrating the Edmonton Community Foundation's 25th anniversary. During his remarks, he will highlight the positive impact the Foundation has had on the region and share insights on the importance of giving to our collective happiness and well-being as Canadians.
The Foundation is a charitable group that helps donors achieve their philanthropic dreams through the power of endowment funds. Each year, a percentage of these investments is granted to organizations and causes that are important to the donors. The Foundation has granted more than $150 million to the community since its beginning in 1989. For more information on the Edmonton Community Foundation, please visit http://www.ecfoundation.org/.
Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, 10065 100 Street North West
OPEN TO MEDIA – Remarks only
MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Bonkink, 587-983-3519,ebonkink@ecfoundation.org.
9 a.m.
Arrival at 4 Wing Cold Lake
Upon his arrival at the 4 Wing Cold Lake's Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment,the Governor General will be officially welcomed by Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Zimmer, Acting Wing Commander of 4 Wing Cold Lake, and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Viel.
He will inspect the guard of honour, comprised of 50 Canadian Armed Forces members from 4 Wing Cold Lake, and then tour the establishment, view the equipment in the crew systems laboratory, and meet with personnel.
The Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment provides flight test services and expertise to the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments. It conducts flight and ground testing involving every aircraft type in the Canadian Armed Forces inventory, as well as the evaluation of new systems to be installed on these aircraft. For more information, please visit http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/4-wing/index.page.
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Sandy Bourne,780-813-1373, sandra.bourne@forces.gc.ca.
10:15 a.m.
Visit to Daycare Facility and Art Smith Aviation Academy
His Excellency will tour the proposed daycare facility site and make his way to the Art Smith Aviation Academy where he will address students on his role as governor general and commander-in-chief. He will then participate in a question-and-answer period with the students.
The Art Smith Aviation Academy was launched as a not-for-profit private school that focuses on the specialized needs of military dependants while supporting students of the area surrounding 4 Wing Cold Lake. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence lend a collective hand to the aviation program at the Academy by sharing their experience, training and knowledge with students. The Academy is currently integrated with the Northern Lights School Division as an alternative program. For more information, please visit http://artsmithaviationacademy.ca/.
Art Smith Aviation Academy, Tamarac Crescent
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Sandy Bourne,780-813-1373, sandra.bourne@forces.gc.ca.
10:55 a.m.
Visit to 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron
The Governor General will tour the hangar and view various static displays. He will first meet with Canadian Armed Forces members of the 419 Training Squadron and view the CT-155 Hawk static display. He will then proceed to the 410 Training Squadron display to meet with students and view the CF-188 Hornet. Lastly, he will make his way to the 409 Tactical Squadron stand and meet with Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel David Moar and personnel of the 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron.
409 Squadron is 4 Wing's operational CF-18 squadron tasked with deploying tactical fighter forces to meet Canadian and allied defence needs. Under the umbrella of the NORAD mission, fighter crews are on standby 24/7, ready to respond to any aerospace threat. For more information, please visit http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/4-wing/409-squadron.page.
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Sandy Bourne,780-813-1373, sandra.bourne@forces.gc.ca.
12:55 p.m.
Visit to 417 Combat Support Squadron and aerial tour of 4 Wing Cold Lake
The Governor General will view the CH-146 Griffon helicopter (search and rescue variant) display and meet with crew members.
417 Combat Support Squadron is comprised of three CH-146 Griffon helicopters. Its roles are search and rescue, medevacs, and Cold Lake Air Weapons Range maintenance support. For more information, please visit http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/4-wing/417-squadron.page.
OPEN TO MEDIA – Tour of static display only
MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Sandy Bourne,780-813-1373, sandra.bourne@forces.gc.ca
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Melanie Villeneuve
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
melanie.villeneuve@gg.ca
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