The following is the detailed itinerary of the Governor-General's regional visit to Northern Ontario.
Please note that all activities are subject to change without notice.
************************* MONDAY, MAY 3 - HEARST
9:45 a.m.
Meeting with Mr. Roger Sigouin, Mayor of Hearst
Her Excellency and the mayor will discuss the challenges of Hearst’s population, which counts 5 825 citizens.
City Hall, Hearst
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting
10:05 a.m.
Meet and greet with members of Hearst’s community
The Governor General will meet with members of Hearst’s community.
City Hall, Hearst
OPEN TO MEDIA
10:30 a.m.
Visit to Columbia mill
Her Excellency will visit Columbia wood mill. The forest industry is the driving force of the local economy, and Hearst is a hub for forestry companies in northern Ontario. Columbia mill, Hearst
PHOTO OP – At the end of the visit only
1:15 p.m.
Discussion on the economic development and partnerships developed between the Town of Hearst, Constance Lake First Nation and the Municipality of Mattice-Val Côté
Her Excellency will meet with key actors to discuss a partnership between the Town of Hearst, Constance Lake First Nation and the Municipality of Mattice-Val Côté, to improve the economy of all three communities.
Hearst University, Hearst
OPEN TO MEDIA
2:45 p.m.
Visit to La Maison Verte
Her Excellency will visit La Maison Verte, a non-profit organization managed by women.
Founded in 1981, La Maison Verte aims to promote economic independence and to ensure the well-being of women and their families in the Hearst region.
Maison Verte, Hearst
OPEN TO MEDIA
************************* TUESDAY, May 4, TIMMINS
8 a.m.
Visit to a mine
Her Excellency, accompanied by Mr. Tom Laughren, mayor of Timmins, will visit the Porcupine Gold Mines, which are North America’s longest continuously operating gold mines.
This visit will take place as the City of Timmins is celebrating 100 years of gold production.
Porcupine Gold Mines, Timmins
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:15 a.m.
Visit to Villa RenouvEllement
Her Excellency will meet with staff members and beneficiaries of this organization that offers safe accommodations to Francophone women and their children who are victims of violence.
Villa RenouvEllement, Timmins
PHOTO OP – Upon the arrival of the Governor General only
1:15 p.m.
Visit to La Ronde, a Francophone cultural centre, and play rehearsal
Her Excellency will visit La Ronde, a Francophone cultural centre, before attending the rehearsal of the play, J’commence lundi (It begin on Monday), by Les maringouins du Nord company.
La Ronde, Timmins
PHOTO OP – Upon the arrival of the Governor General only
2:30 p.m.
Visit to Native Friendship Centre
Her Excellency will visit the Native Friendship Centre.
Created in 1974, the organization provides a safe gathering place for the Aboriginal community. The centre’s programs support the cultural heritage of Aboriginal people and assists in their inclusion and participation in urban life. Native Friendship Centre, Timmins
OPEN TO MEDIA
TUESDAY, May 4 - GREATER SUDBURY
7 p.m.
Art Matters exploring the theme, “Art’s ability to breathe new life to our communities”
Their Excellencies will host an Art Matters public forum with the participation of the following panellists from Northern Ontario’s cultural scene: Alain Doom, director of the Arts d’expression program at Laurentian University, actor and stage director; Stéphane Gauthier, general and cultural director of La Slague du Carrefour francophone, and president of the Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury’s board; Mélissa Rockburn, cultural events organizer and emerging artist; and Oryst Sawchuk, architect, visual artist, musician and urban planner. The moderator for the discussion will be Miriam Cusson, director of the Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury. The Governor General and Mr. Lafond will deliver remarks.
Théâtre du Nouvel Ontario, Greater Sudbury
OPEN TO MEDIA
************************* WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 - GREATER SUDBURY
9:15 a.m.
Meeting with Mr. John Rodriguez, Mayor of Greater Sudbury
Their Excellencies will meet with Mr. John Rodriguez, mayor of Greater Sudbury. The city is a major technological, educational and ecological centre, and approximately one third of its population is Francophone.
City Hall, Greater Sudbury
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting
10 a.m.
Meeting with Mr. Denis Hubert Dutissac, President of Collège Boréal
Their Excellencies will meet with the president of Collège Boréal, Mr. Denis Hubert Dutissac, to discuss his institution, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
Collège Boréal, Greater Sudbury
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting
10:15 a.m.
Coat of arms unveiling ceremony followed by a discussion with students at the secondary and university levels Their Excellencies will attend the unveiling ceremony of Collège Boréal’s coat of arms. The ceremony will be followed by a discussion exploring the theme, “How to promote our Francophone culture.” The Governor General will deliver remarks during the event.
Auditorium, Collège Boréal, Greater Sudbury
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:45 p.m.
Meeting with Mr. Dominic Giroux, rector of Laurentian University
Their Excellencies will meet with the rector of Laurentian University, Mr. Dominic Giroux.
This bilingual institution celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Laurentian University, Greater Sudbury
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting
2 p.m.
Unveiling of Laurentian University’s coat of arms
Their Excellencies will attend a ceremony during which the coat of arms of Laurentian University will be unveiled.
The Governor General will deliver remarks during the event.
Laurentian University, Greater Sudbury
OPEN TO MEDIA
3:15 p.m.
Visit to John Howard Society of Sudbury
Their Excellencies will visit the John Howard Society of Sudbury, which is presently coordinating a program that works specifically with youth (12 to 17 years old), mostly Aboriginal people, who have been charged with a criminal offence.
John Howard Society of Sudbury, Greater Sudbury
CLOSED TO MEDIA
7:30 p.m.
Launch of the Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury
Their Excellencies will attend the event that will launch the Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury along with Herménégilde Chiasson, honorary president of the 2010 edition of the salon.
The Governor General will deliver remarks during the event.
Bryston’s on the Park, Greater Sudbury
OPEN TO MEDIA
The public can follow the regional visit to Hearst, Timmins and Greater Sudbury through the speeches and photos available at www.gg.ca.
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