Governor General Named Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
ST. JOHN'S, NL, Sept. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is proud to honour the Canadian Coast Guard and its members who help ensure the safety of mariners and the marine environment, and help facilitate year-round marine shipping that is critical to Canada's economy.
During her first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada attended a ceremony at the Coast Guard's Atlantic regional headquarters in St. John's, where she was invested as Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Her Excellency also presented four Exemplary Service Medals to members of the Canadian Coast Guard for their outstanding contributions and achievements in service to Canadians.
The Honorary Chief Commissioner's roles and responsibilities include national ceremonial and promotional initiatives that celebrate the crucial role the Canadian Coast Guard plays in saving lives and protecting the marine environment.
Quotes
"Our Canadian Coast Guard members are highly professional and skilled stewards of the ocean from coast to coast to coast. They work tirelessly to ensure the safety of mariners, to protect and promote healthy marine environments for future generations, while providing important economic opportunities to Canadians and coastal communities. We are pleased to welcome Her Excellency as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Today, every single employee at the Canadian Coast Guard is filled with pride as we welcome the Governor General of Canada aboard as our new Honorary Chief Commissioner. Canada is a Maritime and Arctic nation. Her Excellency's work will underscore just how important marine safety is to Canadians."
Jeffery Hutchinson, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- This investiture is the ninth since the title was first established in 1976 with the investment of the Right Honourable Jules Léger. Every subsequent Governor General has carried the title.
- The last Governor General of Canada to be invested at a ceremony in St. John's, Newfoundland as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard was the Right Honourable, Michaëlle Jean in 2006. In 2002, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson was also invested as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard in St. John's.
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Exemplary Service Medals
On September 20, 2018, the following members of the Canadian Coast Guard received an Exemplary Service Medals from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, for their outstanding contributions and achievements in service to Canadians.
Captain Fergus Francey (First Bar Recipient)
In 1981, Captain Fergus Francey started as a Navigation Cadet at the Canadian Coast Guard College. During 37 dedicated years of service, he sailed on a variety of ships including the CCGS John A. MacDonald, CCGS Matthew, and CCGS Teleost; he is currently Commanding Officer on the CCGS Hudson. Captain Francey has been a steadfast contributor to various CCG programs and services including Search and Rescue, Icebreaking and Buoy Tending, although his most notable achievements lie in comprehensive scientific program delivery and hydrographical services. He has also served ashore in numerous capacities, including assignments as the Superintendent of Icebreaking and as the Regional Standards and Inspections Officer. He received the Exemplary Service Medal in 2003.
Janet McCabe (Exemplary Service Medal and First Bar)
Janet McCabe joined the Canadian Coast Guard in 1983 as an Engineering Cadet onboard the CCGS Labrador. Janet has sailed on a number of ships including the CCGS J.E. Bernier and CCGS Ann Harvey, and most recently served as the Senior Engineer on the CCGS George R. Pearkes. In 2008, as part of the crew from the CCGS George R. Pearkes, she and her shipmates were recognized by the Government of France for the Search and Rescue operation involving the sinking of the Cap Blanc off the south coast of Newfoundland.
Captain Irving Barney (Exemplary Service Medal)
Captain Barney joined the Canadian Coast Guard in 1986 as a Leading Seaman on the CCGS John Cabot. After working on a number of vessels from the large fleet, including the CCGS Ann Harvey and CCGS J.E. Bernier, he assumed Command of the CCGS Shamook in 2002. In 2003, Irving transitioned to the CCG Lifeboat Station in Port aux Choix, NL, and has served as Commanding Officer on the CCGS Cape Norman since. In this capacity, he has participated in an extraordinary number of life-saving Search and Rescue operations. In 1992, Irving participated in the very first Rescue Specialist class in the former CCG Newfoundland Region, and in 2017 he was recognized as a key contributor to the Rescue Specialist program for 25 years.
Daisy White (Exemplary Service Medal and First Bar)
Daisy White joined the Canadian Coast Guard in September 1991 as a Steward onboard the CCGS Ann Harvey. She has since sailed on a number of CCG ships including the CCGS J.E. Bernier, the CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell and the CCGS George R. Pearkes. Originally from Stephenville, NL, Daisy has been a model employee throughout her career and is known amongst her colleagues for her dedication, her strong work ethic and the care and compassion that she provides to her shipmates and other visitors onboard the ship.
September, 2018
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SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard
Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]
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