City of Vancouver welcomes Governor General of Canada

Olympic-related event new release from City of Vancouver

The City of Vancouver is honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, for a civic call and official welcome ceremony:

Thursday, March 9, 2006, 9 am
Vancouver City Hall
North plaza, 453 West 12th Avenue

The Governor General will be greeted by His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver.

The ceremony will include a colour guard of Police and Fire Services personnel, and remarks by the Governor General and Mayor Sullivan.

The Governor General will go on a walkabout on the north upper deck plaza of City Hall. The public are welcome to come and greet Her Excellency outside of City Hall during the walkabout from 9 am until approximately 9:45 am.

On the occasion of her first visit to British Columbia, The Governor General will unveil the 1952 Olympic flag from the Oslo 1952 Olympic Winter Games. The original Oslo Olympic flag will be housed in a case located inside City Hall on the main floor. After Her Excellency has unveiled the Olympic flag, it will be on view to the public.

"This visit by the Governor General caps off a couple of weeks of extraordinary events here in Vancouver as we enter our Olympiad," stated Mayor Sullivan. "The Oslo Olympic flag is a treasured piece of history that is passed between Olympic cities. We have the responsibility to safeguard it and, in doing so, will make it available for all to see. We are honoured and delighted that Her Excellency can join us for this historic unveiling."

Traditionally, governors general travel to each province and territory during the first year of their mandate to meet with Canadians in their respective communities.