Governor General to Visit Gaspé Peninsula

OTTAWA, July 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will visit the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec from July 11 to 13, 2018.

During the visit, the Governor General will make stops in the communities of Percé, Gaspé and Rivière-au-Renard. She will meet with municipal representatives and residents to discuss such topics as the local economy, world heritage and fisheries and sustainable development research. She will also take this opportunity to launch an initiative to encourage Canadians to get active. Finally, she will invite the people of Percé, Gaspé and the surrounding area, as well as tourists visiting the Gaspé Peninsula, to three public activities.

Below is Her Excellency's detailed itinerary. Times are indicated in local time: Eastern Daylight Savings Time (UTC – 04:00).

Percé
Wednesday, July 11

3:30 p.m.
Meeting with the Mayor of Percé
Her Excellency will meet with Her Worship Cathy Poirier, Mayor of Percé.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

4:15 p.m.
Unveiling of the UNESCO Global Geopark Plaque
The Governor General will take part in the unveiling of the UNESCO Global Geopark plaque for Percé Geopark. Her Excellency will deliver brief remarks on this occasion before taking a look at the Tektonik interactive exhibition.

Percé Geopark is the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Quebec, the third in Canada and the fifth in North America. This designation recognizes sites with an exceptional geological heritage of international value.
Percé Geopark, Tektonik Pavilion, 180 Route 132 West
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Marie-Claude Costisella, 418-355-9488, [e-mail]

4:30 p.m.
Discussion with Builders of Percé Geopark
The Governor General will meet with several local tourism entrepreneurs and investors who were involved in creating this new tourist attraction as members of the Coopérative de solidarité du Géoparc de Percé.

The Coopérative de solidarité du Géoparc de Percé manages Percé UNESCO Global Geopark, located on the eastern edge of the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, Canada. The cooperative originated with the wish of Percé residents to raise awareness of the region's remarkable geological features. For more information, visit www.geoparcdeperce.com.
Percé Geopark, suspended glass platform, 180 Route 132 West
OPEN TO MEDIA – A group photo will be taken on the suspended glass platform.
MEDIA CONTACT: Marie-Claude Costisella, 418-355-9488, [e-mail]

9 p.m.
Kick-off of the First Summer Night Hike of Percé Geopark
Flashlight in hand, Her Excellency will join local residents and tourists on the first summer night hike of Percé Geopark.
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Marie-Claude Costisella, 418-355-9488, [e-mail]

Gaspé
Thursday, July 12 

10 a.m.
Meeting with the Mayor of Gaspé
The Governor General will meet with His Worship Daniel Côté, Mayor of Gaspé.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

10:30 a.m.
Visit to the Merinov Facilities and Research Laboratories
Her Excellency will meet with experts from Merinov whose talents and creativity support businesses and organizations operating in the fisheries and aquaculture and help them to become more competitive through technological innovation and sustainable, high‑performance strategies.

Merinov is one of Canada's largest integrated centre for applied research in fishing, aquaculture, development and aquatic products. More than 130 employees and specialized industrial researchers work for this not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.merinov.ca.
96 Montée de Sandy Beach, Office 2.05
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

Rivière-au-Renard
Thursday, July 12

2:15 p.m.
Visit to the Nergica Research Infrastructures
The Governor General will visit the Nergica research infrastructures, which have been integrated into a natural environment. These facilities, not found anywhere else in Canada, bring together wind power and solar PV power facilities in a single location.

Nergica is a centre of applied research that stimulates innovation in the renewable energy industry through research, technical assistance, technology transfer and technical support for businesses and communities. Until recently known as TechnoCentre éolien, Nergica has been operating for nearly 20 years in the renewable energy sector and is an official college centre for technology transfer affiliated with the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles. For more information, visit www.nergica.com.
32 rue Jalbert
OPEN TO MEDIA – During visit to facilities
MEDIA CONTACT: Maïté Samuel-Leduc, 418-360-6929, [e-mail]

Gaspé
Friday, July 13

10 a.m.
Launch of Governor General's Initiative during a Public Hike
The Governor General invites the public to join her at the launch of an initiative to encourage Canadians to get moving and stay active. Young and old alike will be able to enjoy a one-hour hike through the Penouille area of magnificent Forillon National Park. The Governor General will deliver brief remarks before the hike begins.

Forillon Park covers a total of 244.8 km², including a narrow strip of marine area a little over 150 m wide (4.4 km²). The Penouille sand spit supports a taiga, a rather unusual feature at such low latitudes. As with the other Canadian national parks, Forillon National Park strives to protect and present the natural and cultural heritage of its territory. For more information, visit www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/forillon.
Penouille Information and Visitor Centre, 1238 Boulevard de Forillon
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Sinnett, 418-355-8647, [e-mail]

4:15 p.m.
Visit to the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg
Accompanied by Manon Jeannotte, Chief of Gespeg, and Darcy Grey, Chief of Listuguj, Her Excellency will visit this interpretation site, which showcases the Mi'kmaq culture of Gaspé's Indigenous community through interpretive activities.

Highlighting the history of the community from 1675 to today, the Micmac Interpretation Site of Gespeg includes a replica of a camp and offers interpretive activities to help visitors discover the world of the Mi'kmaq through the four seasons. This site promotes the preservation of Mi'kmaq traditions and deep knowledge of the environment and highlights the knowledge they have acquired over time. For more information, visit www.micmacgespeg.ca.
783 Boulevard Pointe-Navarre
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Fannie Langlois, 418-368-6005 poste 105, [e-mail]

5 p.m.
Public Gathering Organized by the Town of Gaspé
The Governor General will meet with residents of Gaspé and the surrounding area during a friendly meet‑and­‑greet organized by the Town of Gaspé at the Birthplace of Canada Historic Site. This event will enable Her Excellency to meet and talk with people of the Gaspé Peninsula from all walks of life.

The Birthplace of Canada Historic Site recreates the heart of the village of Gaspé as it was in the 1900s. Visitors can stroll from the heritage home, where they can enjoy tea and cookies, to the seaplane base, semaphore, warehouse, naval base, general store and gift shop. For more information, visit www.berceauducanada.com.
Birthplace of Canada Historic Site, 179 Montée Wakeham
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Jérôme Tardif, 418-368-2104, ext. 8602 or 418-361-2389, [e-mail]

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SOURCE Governor General of Canada

For further information: Media information: Julie Rocheleau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-2997, 613-302-0249 (cell.), [e-mail]