May 19, 2015 - Updated May 20, 2015
Their Excellencies to Visit St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will undertake a visit to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from May 21 to 23, 2015.
“I am going to St. John’s to take part in the 2015 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, and highlight the importance of developing great Canadian leaders in business, labour, public sector and communities,” said His Excellency. “During my time in Newfoundland and Labrador, I will also have the opportunity to address the St. John’s Board of Trade on leadership and innovation, to recognize the immeasurable work of volunteers, and to salute excellence and youth achievements.”
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston’s program will focus on mental health, families and children. She will meet with the leaders, caregivers, volunteers and beneficiaries of various organizations that promote the inclusion and development of these frequently marginalized members of society. “I am eager to learn more about the work being done by those dedicated to improving the lives of others and to dispelling the prejudices often associated with mental health issues and physical differences,” said Mrs. Johnston.
All timings indicated are in local time zone (Newfoundland Daylight Time – UTC/GMT -2:30 hours).
Thursday, May 21
St. John’s
2 p.m.
Presentation of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award
His Excellency, along with His Honour the Honourable Frank. F. Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, will present the Caring Canadian Award to 11 volunteers from the province. His Excellency will deliver brief remarks on this occasion. The list of recipients and their citations follows.
Government House
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Noel, (709) 729-4494, peternoel@gov.nl.ca
3:30 p.m.
Courtesy Call with the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Their Excellencies will meet with the Honourable Paul Davis,Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and his wife, Mrs. Cheryl Davis.
Confederation Building
PHOTO OP—At the beginning of the meeting
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather MacLean, (709) 729-3581, heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
4:15 p.m.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Ceremony
As national chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Canada, His Excellency will present the Gold Award to 98 young Canadians from Newfoundland and Labrador in recognition of their dedication and personal accomplishments within their communities.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has three levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold—which encourage youth between the ages of 14 and 24 to pursue activities in four areas: community service, physical fitness, skills development and outdoor exploration. Gold-level participants also complete a residential project. For more information, visit www.dukeofed.org.
Church Lads’ Brigade Armoury
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Penney, (709) 753-0423, (709) 697-3892, apenney@dukeofed.ca
Friday, May 22
St. John’s
9 a.m.
Visit to Vera Perlin Centre
Her Excellency, accompanied by Her Honour Patricia Fagan, will visit the centre and receive an overview of the different programs being offered. During Mrs. Johnston’s visit, program participants will demonstrate their skills, abilities and talents.
The Vera Perlin Society is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization aims to secure and/or provide quality service and support for all individuals with a developmental disability and their families in St. John’s and the surrounding areas, allowing them to participate in all aspects of community living. For more information, visit www.veraperlinsociety.ca.
6 Logy Bay Road
PHOTO OP – During the musical presentation portion of the visit, at about 10:20
MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Ann Oakley, (709) 739-6017 or Oakley@veraperlinsociety.ca
10 a.m.
Address to Students
The Governor General will deliver an address to students from grades 11 and 12 on the importance of leadership and education, followed by a question-and-answer session. The event will be broadcast to over 300 schools in the region.
Memorial University of Newfoundland, 230 Elizabeth Avenue
CLOSED TO MEDIA
11:15 a.m.
Visit to Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism
Her Excellency, accompanied by Her Honour Patricia Fagan, will learn more about the centre’s programs and methodologies, and tour of the facilities, including the Pantry Café and Catering, where she will meet with employees, volunteers and program beneficiaries. The Centre is the only provincial facility dedicated to programming and education for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families, and the professionals who work with them.
The Autism Society of Newfoundland-Labrador is a provincial charitable organization dedicated to promoting the development of individual, lifelong and community-based supports and services for people with ASD and their families. For more information, visit www.autism.nf.net.
70 Clinch Crescent
PHOTO OP—Upon the arrival of Her Excellency and Her Honour
MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Crocker, (709) 722-2803, ext. 221, scrocker@autism.nf.net
12:30 p.m.
Address to the St. John’s Board of Trade
The Governor General will address the business community of St. John’s on the importance of innovation and leadership in sustaining prosperity and facing global competition.
Accredited nationally with distinction, the St. John’s Board of Trade is a non-partisan business advocacy organization that is the principal voice of business for 900 members in the St. John’s area. Its mission is to improve the local business climate, enhancing its members’ ability to do business through advocacy and member services. For more information, visit http://stjohnsbot.ca/
GlenDenning Golf
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Kristina George, 709-726-2961, ext. 5, 709-699-2044, kgeorge@bot.nf.ca
5 p.m.
Opening Reception of the 2015 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference
His Excellency will officially open the conference and deliver an address to the 250 participants.
The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC) brings together Canada’s emerging leaders from business, labour, government and community sectors for a unique two-week experience aimed at broadening their perspectives on work, leadership, their communities, and their country. For more information, visit www.leadershipcanada.ca.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Saturday, May 23
St. John’s
9 a.m.
Visit to Rainbow Riders
Her Excellency, accompanied by Her Honour Patricia Fagan, will meet with some of the more than 60 young riders registered with the program, as well as with their parents. Therapeutic riding helps to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of riders by improving their coordination, balance, strength and sensory integration abilities. Clients range in age from three years to adulthood.
For over 20 years, Rainbow Riders therapeutic riding program has helped children with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.rainbowridersnl.com.
Mount Scio Road
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Griffiths, 709-743-1052 or rainbowridersnl@gmail.com
10:30 a.m.
AboutFace Discussion
During an event hosted by Her Honour Patricia Fagan, Her Excellency will learn about the different programs offered by AboutFace. Mrs. Johnston will speak with participants and their families about how the organization inspires individuals with facial disfigurements to gain the confidence and courage to live life to the fullest.
AboutFace is a national charitable organization that promotes and enhances the positive mental and emotional well-being of individuals with facial differences and their families, through peer and social support, resources and educational programs. The organization seeks to increase understanding and acceptance through public awareness and education. For more information, visit www.aboutface.ca.
OPEN TO MEDIA—At the beginning of the discussion
MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Noel, 709-729-4494, peternoel@gov.nl.ca
12:30 p.m.
Stella’s Circle Discussion
Her Excellency will take part in a discussion with employees and participants enrolled in various programs offered by Stella’s Circle. This year marks the 20th year of incorporation of Stella’s Circle and the 70th year of its flagship program, Emmanuel House, which offers a supportive residential environment for adults facing social and emotional challenges.
Stella’s Circle is a leading community non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides services to adults who have experienced mental health issues, lack of education, long periods of unemployment and poverty. They offer residential counselling, housing development, employment preparation and skill development strategies that lead to employment. For more information, visit www.StellasCircle.ca.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
2:30 p.m.
Visit to Ever Green Recycling
Her Excellency will receive an overview of the organization and take part in a recycling activity with employees.
Ever Green Recycling is a non-profit organization that provides meaningful and sustainable employment for individuals recovering from mental illness. It started in 1993, as a workshop program for employees to learn how to recycle aluminum cans, paper and cardboard. Today, Ever Green Recycling is a leading recycling and environmental business with four recycling depots and a fibre recycling facility. For more information, visit www.greencan.ca.
79 Blackmarsh Road
PHOTO OP – During the recycling activity
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Wadden, (709) 727-8007, mike.wadden@greencan.ca
CARING CANADIAN AWARD
RECIPIENTS AND CITATIONS
Nitish Bhatt
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Nitish Bhatt is a leader to fellow youth who encourages others to make community service and social action a priority in their lives. His candid knowledge of the inequities of accessible education in India—compared to North America—has inspired the creation of United4Literacy, a child- and youth-centred organization.
Frank Millar Ewing
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Frank “Millar” Ewing is an avid contributor to his church and cares for the well-being of senior residents within his community. His initiatives have enriched the lives of those he serves, particularly youth in Newfoundland’s scouting movement.
Dolores Flynn
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dolores Flynn has volunteered with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for 15 years, filing over 325 tax returns in the last year alone. She helps out at multiple tax clinics in the area, including one at the Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her tireless efforts have been invaluable to the individuals she has assisted.
Betty Gulliver
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador
For 30 years, Betty Gulliver has been a devoted volunteer with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, processing thousands of tax returns each year. At clinics in St. John’s and at the Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador, she ensures elderly persons continue to receive the credits and benefits to which they are entitled.
Josephine Anne Hickey
Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Josephine Hickey has volunteered in numerous long-term care facilities including Hoyles Homes, Escasoni Home, St. Patrick’s Mercy Home, the Miller Centre, and the DVA Pavilion. Her care and genuine desire to help others have had a positive impact on her community.
Keith Hillier
Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador
Keith Hillier has dedicated his services to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program in Grand Bank for 14 years, successfully filing over 175 tax returns last year alone. He is also involved in many other community activities, such as serving as the treasurer of Grand Bank’s Come Home Year event.
Raylene Mackey
Goulds,Newfoundland and Labrador
Raylene Mackey has been a golf coach for Special Olympics athletes, and has contributed her time to St. Luke’s Home. As a former Miss Teen Newfoundland and Labrador, she has improved the lives of others through a diverse range of volunteer activities at over 160 events across the province. She continues to volunteer today with several local organizations.
David Regular
Summerford, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dave Regular has been with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for 27 years and is the only volunteer serving in the area of Summerford. In the last year alone, Mr. Regular has helped 180 people in his community successfully file their tax returns on time.
Madelene Small
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
Always willing to help people in her community, Madelene Small has served the Grand Falls-Windsor area with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for 23 years. She participates in the program year-round, volunteering at a local retirement home, as well as with the GFW 50+ Club for seniors.
Melissa Thomas
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
Melissa Thomas has been actively involved with the Ronald McDonald House and its Red Shoe Crew activity, fundraising over $30 000 for the organization. A long-standing volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, she has served as a mentor and leader for over 10 years, and has been involved in the organization’s after-school program.
Ian Walsh
Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ian Walsh has organized and executed tax clinics in the Placentia Library as part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for 23 years, ensuring that community members meet their tax obligations. Mr. Walsh also volunteers with the Royal Canadian Legion in Placentia.
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Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
613-302-0249 (cell)
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
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