OTTAWA,
ON, April 18, 2024 /CNW/ - Their Excellencies
the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will
undertake an official visit to Saskatchewan from April
22 to 24, 2024.
The visit to Saskatchewan will
focus on reconciliation, mental health, education and climate
change. During the official visit, Her Excellency will meet with
provincial and Indigenous leaders, youth, educators, newcomers,
artists and civic trailblazers.
The Governor General plays an important role in raising
awareness of significant issues throughout our country, and in
recognizing incredible Canadians working to better the lives of
their neighbours and communities. Official visits provide
opportunities for Her Excellency, on behalf of Canadians, to meet
with and recognize people who are making a difference in a range of
fields.
Itinerary:
Note: Times are indicated in
Central Standard Time (CST).
Regina, Saskatchewan
Monday, April 22
11:30 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Upon arrival, the Governor General will be greeted by several
provincial dignitaries, including Their Honours the Honourable Russ
Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and
Donna Mirasty, as well as the
Honourable Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan. The Governor General will also
inspect an RCMP guard of honour.
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contacts: Julie
Leggott, Deputy Chief of Staff – Communications & Press
Secretary to the Premier, 306-787-9619, Julie.leggott@gov.sk.ca;
Shalyn McKenna, Communications
Consultant with the Government of Saskatchewan, 306-787-5174,
shalyn.mckenna@gov.sk.ca
11:50 a.m.
Meeting with the Premier of Saskatchewan
The Governor General will meet with the Honourable Scott Moe,
Premier of Saskatchewan.
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – In front of the fireplace
Media
Contact: Julie Leggott, Deputy
Chief of Staff – Communications & Press Secretary to the
Premier, 306-787-9619, Julie.leggott@gov.sk.ca
12:30 p.m.
Meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
The Governor General will meet with His Honour the Honourable Russ
Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and Her Honour Donna
Mirasty.
Government House
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – At the entrance of Government House and at
the signing of the guest book in the museum
Media Contact: Donna Boyle,
306-787-6460 (office), 306-531-6238 (cell),
donna.boyle@gov.sk.ca
2 p.m.
Visit to First
Nations University
Her Excellency will visit First Nations
University where she will join students in recording an episode for
pîkiskwêwin, an Indigenous-language podcast project. The
conversation will focus primarily on the preservation and
revitalization of Indigenous languages.
First Nations University is a unique Canadian institution that
specializes in Indigenous knowledges, providing post-secondary
education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike within a
culturally supportive environment.
Learn more about First Nations University
Learn more about pîkiskwêwin
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
5:30 p.m.
Official reception hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of
Saskatchewan
The Governor
General will deliver remarks at the event hosted by the Lieutenant
Governor of Saskatchewan.
Government House
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Tuesday, April 23
9:40 a.m.
Visit to the Regina Open Door
Society (RODS)
The Governor General will first meet with the lead artists who
painted the Regina Open Door Society Mural located on the
building's exterior wall. She will then visit the society and join
newcomers to Canada participating
in a language class.
RODS is a Regina-based non-profit
organization that provides settlement and integration services to
refugees and immigrants.
Learn more about RODS
2314 11th Avenue
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Victoria
Flores, 306-533-5161, victoriaf@rods.sk.ca
Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan
2:30 p.m.
Discussion
on Mental Health Services for Farmers and Ranchers
The
Governor General will engage in a round-table discussion with
mental health specialists from the SaskAgMatters network on issues
affecting Canada's farming and
ranching communities.
SaskAgMatters bridges the gap between agriculture producers and
mental wellness supports to foster a healthy and productive
Saskatchewan agriculture
community.
Learn more about SaskAgMatters
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Wednesday, April 24
10 a.m.
Visit to the
Maternal Care Centre
The Governor General will visit the
Maternal Care Centre at the Jim Pattison Hospital. She will meet
with the centre's staff, including Indigenous birth support
workers, to learn about services available to mothers, children and
families from across the province. The centre addresses the unique
needs of patients who are pregnant and who are giving birth by
providing them and their families with individualized support.
Learn more about the Maternal Care Centre
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
11:20 a.m.
Meeting
with Indigenous Leaders
The Governor General will meet with
Bobby Cameron, Chief of the
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and Glen McCallum, President of the Métis Nation of
Saskatchewan.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
12:00 p.m.
Visit to
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
The Governor General will explore
Wanuskewin with youth to better understand how this national
historic site acts as a living reminder of Indigenous peoples'
sacred relationship with the land. Her Excellency will also take
part in a question-and-answer session with the youth.
Wanuskewin offers guided and self-guided tours, outdoor treks,
interactive exhibits, art galleries, videos and presentation spaces
that celebrate Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. Visitors of all
ages have the opportunity to delve into tradition and culture, and
experience what life was like pre- and post-contact.
Learn more about Wanuskewin Park
4 Penner Road
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Andrew
McDonald, 306-931-6767, marketing@wanuskewin.com
Quick facts
- This will be Governor General Simon's first official visit to
Saskatchewan.
- Governor General Simon travelled to Saskatchewan in September 2022 to visit the James Smith Cree
Nation following the mass stabbing incident in their community. The
Governor General also delivered remarks on Miyo-wîcîwitowin Day in
Regina on September 29, 2022.
- This visit is part of a larger objective of visiting each
province and territory to engage with Canadians from across the
country.
Notes for media
- Members of the media must confirm their attendance at select
events with the media contacts listed above.
- Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via
media@gg.ca.
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SOURCE Governor General of Canada