OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, will welcome His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, and his wife, Mrs. Jenni Haukio, to Rideau Hall, on Thursday, October 9, 2014, on the occasion of their State visit to Canada.
The visit will commence with an official welcoming ceremony. During their stay at Rideau Hall, President Niinistö and Mrs. Haukio will meet with the Governor General and Mrs. Johnston, participate in a ceremonial tree planting and attend a State dinner in their honour.
The detailed itinerary of the events taking place at Rideau Hall can be found below.
Thursday, October 9
3:30 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
An official welcoming ceremony, with military honours, will be held at Rideau Hall.
President Niinistö will inspect a guard of honour. The Governor General and the President will offer remarks.
Rideau Hall grounds
OPEN TO MEDIA
4 p.m.
Meeting Between Their Excellencies and the President Niinistö and Mrs. Haukio
Large Drawing Room, Rideau Hall
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY—At the beginning of the meeting
4:35 p.m.
Ceremonial Tree Planting
The President and his wife will plant a red maple (Acer rubrum) on the grounds of Rideau Hall to commemorate their State visit to Canada. It will be situated on the section of the Trans Canada Trail that runs through Rideau Hall. The tree was chosen to symbolize the close diplomatic ties between our two countries, as well as to highlight the natural features we share as northern nations.
Rideau Hall grounds
OPEN TO MEDIA
7 p.m.
State Dinner
Their Excellencies will host a State dinner at Rideau Hall in honour of the President and his wife on the occasion of their visit to Canada.
Ballroom, Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA—Photo op before dinner, in the Reception Room at 6:35 p.m. Official remarks at the beginning of the State dinner at 7 p.m., in the Ballroom
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Media accredited with the Parliamentary Press Gallery must confirm their attendance in advance with the Rideau Hall Press Office. It is requested that members of the media arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to official events. For more information on accreditation, please contact the Parliamentary Press Gallery at 613-992-6517 or pressres2@parl.gc.ca.
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
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