Media Advisory - Governor General to Travel to Edmonton and Winnipeg

OTTAWA, Dec. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will be in Edmonton and Winnipeg on December 8, 2016. In Edmonton, the Governor General will recognize remarkable Canadians with awards and honours. Later that day, the Governor General will travel to Winnipeg where he will take part in a conversation with CBC Radio's Terry MacLeod about book The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation. He will also deliver remarks at the Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony.

Below is His Excellency's detailed itinerary. Times are indicated in local time: Edmonton - Mountain Standard Time (UTC/GMT -7 hours) and Winnipeg - Central Standard Time UTC/GMT -6 hours).

Edmonton, Alberta

10 a.m.
Presentation of Honours
The Governor General will present honours to more than 73 remarkable Canadians to recognize excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service. The ceremony will be streamed live online at www.gg.ca/live. The list of recipients, their citations and additional information will be published in a separate media advisory. 

The Governor General presents honours on behalf of all Canadians in communities across the country to help share inspiring stories, celebrate tremendous contributions to our society and connect with Canadians. From community volunteers to astronauts, from actors to members of the military, from scholars to everyday citizens, hundreds of Canadians earn our applause and gratitude. For more information about honours or to nominate someone who inspires you, visit www.gg.ca/honours.
Shaw Conference Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA 

Winnipeg, Manitoba

5 p.m.
Conversation and Book-Signing with the Governor General
The Governor General will take part in a conversation with CBC Radio's Terry MacLeod about his book The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation. Following the presentation, His Excellency will engage in a question period and participate in a book-signing session.

About The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation
In letters to characters and individuals living and dead, eminent and unknown, The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation touches on a wide range of topics: learning, law and justice, kindness and courage, innovation, Aboriginal education, bilingualism, mental health, hockey and more. Presented in three parts—"What Shapes Me", "What Consumes Me" and "What Inspires Me"—these letters are about Canada and are written to Clara Hughes, Chris Hadfield, the Aga Khan, former governors general, Canadian teachers, an Inuit boy His Excellency met in Repulse Bay, and many others. He hopes that the book will inspire readers of all ages to think about Canada, what they want for their country and how to shape its future as a smart and caring nation.
McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park Shopping Centre, 1120 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACTS:
John Toews, McNally Robinson Booksellers, 204-453-0424, ext. 227 [e-mail] 
Shona Cook, Publicity Manager for The Idea of Canada : Letters to a Nation, Penguin Random House Canada, 416-433-9699, [e-mail]

8 p.m.
Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony
The Governor General will deliver remarks at the Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony to highlight the importance of the Arctic and the people who call it home. This year's ceremony will feature the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Nunavut Sivuniksavut students, conducted by Alexander Mickelthwate performing Vincent Ho's Arctic Symphony. The masters of ceremonies will be Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes and Nunavik youth Andrea Brazeau.

About the Arctic Inspiration Prize
The Arctic Inspiration Prize is awarded annually to multidisciplinary teams that are ready to push forward innovative plans that benefit the Arctic and its peoples, break barriers, and improve communities. Between one and five teams are selected as laureates of the Prize and are awarded a total of $1 million to implement their ideas. The Arctic Inspiration Prize is owned by the AIP Charitable Trust, managed by the Rideau Hall Foundation and supported by aboriginal organizations, governments, industry, philanthropy, and many other Partners from north and south.
Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street, Winnipeg
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACTS: Melissa Wood, NATIONAL Public Relations, 613-617-1699, [e-mail]

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SOURCE Governor General of Canada

For further information: Media information: Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-9324, 613-668-1929 (cell), [e-mail]