Governor General to Visit British Columbia

OTTAWA, March 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will visit British Columbia from March 8 to 11, 2019. During this visit, she will make stops in New Westminster, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria and Comox.  

In New Westminster, Her Excellency will learn about the school board's Fuel Up! lunch program and will speak at the Women in STEAM Symposium. She will also hear about the incredible work being done at the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society in Vancouver and at COCO Café in Nanaimo. In Victoria, the Governor General will promote health and fitness by participating in a bike ride with members of the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society. The Governor General will also visit with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members at 19 Wing Comox.

Below is Her Excellency's detailed itinerary. Times are indicated in Pacific Standard Time
(UTC – 8).

New Westminster
Friday, March 8

11:50 a.m.
Meeting with the Mayor of New Westminster
The Governor General will meet with His Worship Jonathan Coté, Mayor of New Westminster.
City Hall, 511 Royal Ave, New Westminster
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashleigh Young, 604-527-4559, [email protected]

12:25 p.m.
Discussion about the New Westminster Schools Lunch Program
The Governor General will meet with New Westminster school board members, district senior management leaders, parents, teachers, students, research partners, a dietician and the caterer to learn about this innovative, cost-shared lunch program called Fuel Up!

This voluntary program supports parents and families in offering healthy daily lunches without stigma and ensuring no student is hungry at school. The program is now being implemented in three schools. For more information, visit www.newwestschools.ca/programs-services/fuel-up/overview.
École Qayqayt Elementary, 85 Merivale Street, New Westminster
PHOTO OP – During Her Excellency's meeting with the students
MEDIA CONTACT: Holly Nathan, 604-517-6252, [email protected]

1:45 p.m.
Address at Women in STEAM Symposium
Her Excellency will deliver an address at the New Westminster's Annual Innovation Week Women in STEAM Symposium. Following her address, the Governor General will answer questions from the public. This full-day event will feature speakers and panels that will explore what's working and examine what's needed, and show how to connect the dots between women and STEAM using arts-based creativity and computational skills.

New Westminster's 3^rd Annual Innovation Week is from March 2 to 8, 2019. It is a week of events, activities, learning opportunities and more for people of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, visit www.innovatenewwest.ca.
Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashleigh Young, 604-527-4559, [email protected]

Vancouver
Saturday, March 9

10:15 a.m.
Visit to the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society
The Governor General will visit the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society where she will learn about how this organization is helping Indigenous people re-integrate into the community after having been released from institutions. The organization currently offers a variety of programming, including men's and women's Community Residential Facilities, a pre-employment program, a yearly healing journey, and a youth cultural and life skills program. For more information, visit www.circleofeagles.com.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

Nanaimo
Saturday, March 9

1 p.m.
Visit to COCO Café
The Governor General will visit COCO Café, a local co-op, to speak with employees about how the work training program has empowered them and provided them with life skills.

COCO Café integrates individuals with developmental disabilities into a commercial restaurant environment. All aspects of the cafe operations are designed to provide employees with hands-on training and valuable work experience. For more information, visit www.cococafe.ca.
Coco Café, 1840 Cedar Road, Nanaimo
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Melanie Atwell, 250-323-2223, [email protected]

Victoria
Saturday, March 9

5:30 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony at Government House
Upon her arrival at Government House, the Governor General will be welcomed by Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Her Excellency will then sign the guest book.
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
PHOTO OP
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Rilkoff, 778-974-5534, [email protected]

Victoria
Sunday, March 10

10:30 a.m.     
Cycling with Members of the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society
The Governor General will join members of the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society on a bike ride along a portion of the Trans Canada Trail. This activity is part of the Governor General's initiative, GGActive, which aims to promote health and fitness.
Janion Plaza, 490 Pandora Avenue, Victoria 
PHOTO OP – Members of the media are encouraged to position themselves along the route. Please contact Amelia Potvin for full route details.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amelia Potvin, 250-818-3391, [email protected]

2:30 p.m.
Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony
Her Excellency will present the insignia of Member of the Order of Canada to the Honourable Roger Philip Kerans. His citation and additional information about the Order of Canada are available below. For more information, visit www.gg.ca/honours. 
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

5:30 p.m.
Address at United World Colleges Reception 
The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia will deliver remarks during a reception with members of United World Colleges' International Council.

United World Colleges is a global education movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.ca.uwc.org.
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
OPEN TO MEDIA – During speeches
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Rilkoff, 778-974-5534, [email protected]

Comox
Monday, March 11

10:30 a.m.
Visit to 19 Wing Comox
The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada will visit with the military and civilian members of the defence team at 19 Wing and CFB Comox, located on Vancouver Island. Her Excellency will receive a briefing and demonstration of search and rescue (SAR) capabilities during her in-bound flight aboard a CC-115 Buffalo. Upon arrival at 19 Wing, she will review a guard of honour and visit 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron and 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron.    

442 Transport and Rescue Squadron operates CC-115 Buffalo fixed-wing aircraft and CH‑149 Cormorant helicopters to carry out search and rescue operations in Canada's western SAR region. In addition to search and rescue, 407 Squadron's CP-140 Aurora crews maintain Canada's maritime sovereignty and assist other government departments tracking illegal fishing, migration, drugs and pollution. For more information, visit www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/19-wing/index.page.
CFB Comox 19 Wing, Station Main, Lazo
PHOTO OP- During the inspection of the guard of honour
MEDIA CONTACT: Captain B.W. (Brad) Little, 250-339-8211 ext. 7900, [email protected]

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RECIPIENT'S CITATION

MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

The Honourable Roger Philip Kerans, C.M.

Calgary, Alberta

A true judicial leader, Roger Kerans has been a tireless advocate for improving the delivery of justice for all Canadians. A leading authority in case management, he participated in several early Charter cases and authored many well-known and highly respected decisions. An esteemed judge, arbitrator and mediator, he has shared his knowledge and expertise as a contributor to law reviews and as a lecturer at the universities of Calgary and Victoria. His leadership has enriched the legal profession across Canada.

ABOUT THE ORDER OF CANADA

The Order of Canada is one of our country's highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM ("They desire a better country").

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Close to 7 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Those who bear the Order's iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation's measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada.

Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate someone, visit www.gg.ca/en/honours.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information: Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-668-1929 (mobile), [email protected]