The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall Visit Canada – Day Two
Ottawa
Wednesday, 18th May
ENGAGEMENT 5
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Order of Military Merit Ceremony at Rideau Hall.
The Prince and The Duchess will be greeted by the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon and His Excellency Whit Fraser at Rideau Hall. The Master of Ceremonies will make brief remarks about the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Military Merit, and Her Excellency will invest His Royal Highness as Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit and present the insignia.
Founded on July 1, 1972, the Order of Military Merit recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve. Many recipients have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty, and the Order honours them for their commitment to Canada.
Her Majesty The Queen is the Order’s Sovereign, the Governor General is its Chancellor and a Commander, and the Chief of the Defence Staff is its Principal Commander. The first senior visitor appointed as Extraordinary Commander was HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Since then, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal have been appointed as Extraordinary Commanders.
ENGAGEMENT 6
Their Royal Highnesses will attend a Wreath Laying Ceremony at National War Memorial.
Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted at the National War Memorial by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, His Excellency Whit Fraser, and the Chief Warrant Officer of the National Defence Headquarters, CWO J.C.E. Drouin. Their Royal Highnesses will then be escorted to the upper deck of the Monument by the Canadian Equerry. A bugler will play the Last Post, followed by a moment of silence, the Rouse from the bugler, and the piper will play the Lament.
His Royal Highness will lay a wreath and Her Royal Highness will place a bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Their Royal Highnesses will then sign the Veteran Affairs Canada Visitor’s Book before departure.
This ceremony remembers the sacrifices and service of current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
The National War Memorial, also known as “The Response,” is a cenotaph symbolizing the sacrifice of all Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving Canada in time of war in the cause of peace and freedom—past, present, and future. The Memorial was unveiled by His Majesty King George V in 1939 to commemorate the response of Canadians in the First World War 1914-1918. Over the years, the memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who have served Canada in time of war and was rededicated in their honour.
In 2000, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added in the front of the memorial. The tomb contains the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier from a war cemetery near Vimy Ridge, France.
Their Royal Highnesses have previously laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, most recently on June 30, 2011.
ENGAGEMENT 7
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will meet members of the Ukrainian Community at the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted outside the Cathedral by Fr. Taras Kinash, Parish Priest, and Ms. Elizabeth Malarek, the Parish President. Their Royal Highnesses will each light a beeswax candle as they enter church for worship. Their Royal Highnesses will then join the congregation in a Ukrainian prayer.
In the Banquet Hall, Their Royal Highnesses will be offered the traditional Ukrainian greeting of bread (Kolach) and salt, by two parishioners and three members of Ottawa’s Svitanok Ukrainian Dance Society. Their Royal Highnesses will proceed to meet a displaced Ukrainian family.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation will discuss their partnership efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine with The Prince and The Duchess.
Tamara Rudenko-Charalambij, Director of the Pysanka for Peace workshops and other crafters will demonstrate how decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs, Pysanka, are made. These workshops are titled ‘Pysanka for Peace’ and all proceeds from the workshops have been donated to support humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Their Royal Highnesses will go on to meet Ms. Angie Reshitnyk, President of the Ottawa branch of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, who has organized the production of over 10,000 perogies, Varenyky, as a community fundraiser for Ukraine. Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to participate in the process of making varenyky with volunteers.
Their Royal Highnesses will then briefly part. The Prince will meet the conductor and singers of AKORD, the Ukrainian Men’s Choir of Ottawa, who will be performing Ukrainian songs during visit. Meanwhile, The Duchess will meet students and teachers from the Ukrainian School of Lesia Ukrainka, which teaches Ukrainian grammar, history, geography, literature, and culture as part of the Heritage Language program operated by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Finally, Their Royal Highnesses will see a Paschal basket display and learn about the food and decorative items in the basket and their symbolic meaning.
Ukraine and Canada
Canada is home to 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent – the world’s third-largest Ukrainian population behind Ukraine itself and Russia. More than 100,000 Ukrainian Canadians reported Ukrainian as their mother tongue, and more than half live in the Prairie provinces. Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants have left a profound mark on the development of Canada.
Notable Canadians of Ukrainian origin include: The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Canada’s 24th Governor General; William Kurelek, a renowned painter; Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman to walk in space; The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; as well as many players in the National Hockey League, such as Wayne Gretzky.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
The parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is a part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and exists since 1949. The current venue on Byron Avenue has been home to the parish since 1978, when the Cathedral construction was completed.
In October 2002, the parish choir participated in a Multi-Faith Thanksgiving Service on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, which celebrated the 50th year of the reign of Her Majesty. Both Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Canada-Ukraine Foundation
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is an umbrella group for all the national, provincial, and local Ukrainian organizations in Canada. Together with its member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating and representing the interests of one of Canada’s largest ethnic communities (1.4 million) since 1940.
Since the Russian military invasion of Ukraine in February, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has partnered with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) to collect monetary donations to provide much needed humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.
Locally, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Ottawa Affiliate (UCC Ottawa) has mobilized to coordinate donations of supplies and funds, as well as coordinate displaced people arriving in the Ottawa area. UCC Ottawa is a volunteer-driven organization and has collected over 85,000lbs of sorted donations, and provided more than $250,000 worth of humanitarian aid packages to Ukraine.
AKORD – Ukrainian Men’s Choir of Ottawa
A four-part male choir, AKORD originated in 1993 in Ottawa with six men who shared an interest in Ukrainian sacred music. Since then, AKORD has broadened its repertoire to include more intricate choral music and Ukrainian folk songs. In addition to participating in many festivals in Ontario and Quebec, AKORD has also performed at the Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery of Canada, on Parliament Hill, at the Prime Minister of Canada’s residence and at Rideau Hall. These concerts have increased awareness of Ukrainian choral masters and advanced the profile of Ukrainian music, contributing further to Canada’s rich cultural mosaic.
Traditional Ukrainian Greeting of Bread and Salt
This greeting is traditional at the beginning of all major events in the Ukrainian culture. Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe because of all the wheat and other grains grown in the country. Ukrainians regard bread as one of the holiest of all foods. The round bread used for this traditional greeting is called Kolach, which is derived from the Ukrainian word “kolo” meaning circle, and is a symbol of good fortune, eternity, prosperity and a bountiful life. Salt is reflected in Christ’s words “You are the salt of the earth” and represents friendship. The Kolach and salt together are a humble and generous greeting for visitors.
Varenyky
Since Ukrainians first arrived in Canada in 1891, the humble combination of very simple ingredients of flour, water, eggs, potatoes, and onions has raised money that has built schools, churches, and community centres for Ukrainians to gather, preserve, and share their cultural traditions and heritage.
Their Royal Highnesses and the Ukrainian Community
In March 22, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited The Cathedral of the Holy Family , a Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London where Their Royal Highnesses showed their support for the Ukrainian community. Their Royal Highnesses met a group of Ukrainian school children, their mothers, leaders within the Ukrainian community, representatives across faith communities, volunteers helping the humanitarian effort, and leaders of His Royal Highness’s charities working to support the relief effort in Ukraine.
In April 22, Their Royal Highnesses visited BBC World Service in their 90th year to hear how they are continuing to report in Ukraine, Russia and Afghanistan. Their Royal Highnesses also met representatives of BBC News Ukraine and BBC News Russian to find out how their news operations continue. Joining a live link-up with reporters currently situated in Kyiv and Moscow, The Prince sent his best wishes to the people of Ukraine.
ENGAGEMENT 8
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will visit local market producers and merchants at ByWard Market.
On arrival, Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by Mr. Bryan Chandler, Chairperson of Ottawa Markets and Mr. Zachary Dayler, the Executive Director of Ottawa Markets, who will both accompany Their Royal Highnesses throughout the tour.
Their Royal Highnesses will meet and engage with six small business owners and market vendors who will share their experiences during the pandemic. These will include the oldest vendor in the ByWard Market, a meat stall, a woodwork stall and a Maple Country Sugar Bush stall where Their Royal Highnesses will learn of the maple production in the region.
About the ByWard Market
The ByWard Market was established in 1826 by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal. The area was created as a commercial sector to support the builders of the Rideau Canal. Soon, stores, taverns, hotels, and residential and industrial buildings sprang up, and Rideau Canal labourers of mostly French-Canadian and Irish origin settled in. The ByWard Market is a vibrant neighbourhood in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It is one of Ottawa’s premier tourist destinations and an area where locals go to work, shop, dine and play. In the summer months, the area is home to farmers, producers, and makers of all backgrounds and experiences, coming to life at the start of May. Over the centuries, the market has evolved from the city’s outdoor grocery store into a public market space that is a home for everyone. As the area evolved, so did the architectural styles. Many of the original buildings still house a melting pot of businesses and cultures, all contributing to the area’s eclectic charm.
The local market producers and merchants have redefined their role in the community in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Their Royal Highnesses support for local businesses
Their Royal Highnesses continue to support the reopening of local high streets post lockdown, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall recently visited Clapham Old Town in recognition of its value to the local community.
High Street and Hospitality
Their Royal Highnesses are strong supporters of the High Street and hospitality sectors.
• His Royal Highness acknowledged the challenges the hospitality industry faced during the pandemic with a message in July 2020, in which The Prince said,
“I can only express my warmest appreciation for the resilience and fortitude shown by those in hospitality and offer my deepest sympathy to those who are struggling to keep their businesses going or are having to cope with the appalling misery of seeing their businesses go into administration.”
• The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall regularly visit High Streets during away days. For instance they have previously met shop keepers and local businesses in Ballater and Salisbury. In May 2021, The Prince and The Duchess visited Clapham Old Town to celebrate the reopening of local high streets post lockdown, and in recognition of its value to the local community.
ENGAGEMENT 9
Their Royal Highnesses will visit Assumption School. His Royal Highness will meet newcomer families. Her Royal Highness will attend a youth literacy event.
Their Royal Highnesses will be welcomed to the school by the Superintendent of Assumption School, Mr. Sean Kelly and The Principal of Assumption School, Ms Joanne Wink. Their Royal Highnesses will then part ways to carry out sperate programmes.
His Royal Highness will meet with newcomer families to Canada and community organizations.
Mr. Kelly will escort The Prince of Wales and other guests to the school gymnasium where he will introduce the Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) who helps run a program that addresses settlement and integration needs of refugee and immigrant families in Ottawa schools, to ensure a successful school experience for the students and support in the integration of families in the community. There will be various parents who will discuss their experiences of arriving in and settling in Canada from countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon and also staff from the school who are immigrants themselves.
Parents of Assumption School students will then discuss their experiences of arriving in and settling in Canada with The Prince. The Prince of Wales will also meet Francophone families of the school, and will hear about their experiences settling in the French neighbourhood of Vanier.
Meanwhile, The Duchess of Cornwall will attend a literacy-focused event with schoolchildren in the learning centre.
Ms Joanne Wink will escort The Duchess of Cornwall on a short tour of the School, beginning with a Grade 5/6 French immersion class. The Duchess will then visit the learning commons the grade 1-2 class will explain how the learning commons is used for literacy activities such as a book club for the older students.
Ms. Wink will then introduce The Duchess of Cornwall to Mr. Brian Warren, Founder and Executive Director of Start2Finish, who will discuss the partnership with the school to provide a new book vending machine, located within the learning commons. A student will demonstrate to Her Royal Highness how one chooses and retrieves a book from the vending machine.
The Duchess of Cornwall will read to the students before moving onto Ms. Sarah Erskine’s Grade 5/6 French immersion class.
Assumption School
Assumption School is a junior kindergarten to grade six school of the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Located in Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood, Assumption’s school community includes many immigrant and refugee families, and a large Indigenous student population. Assumption has a French immersion program and a day-care for young children.
Start2Finish Canada
Launched in 2000, Start2Finish Canada (S2F) has grown to provide programming and resources for thousands of equity-seeking children in over 70 communities nationwide. The S2F approach, which is grounded on the belief that no child goes off the rails when someone has cared about his or her well-being, empowers children to create a cycle of success. A critical part of this approach focuses on Canada’s Indigenous children. The Indigenous Literacy Enhancement (“LIT”) Project, which Start2Finish is piloting this year, is committed to raising enough funds to provide innovative “book vending machines” filled with culturally relevant books to 12 Indigenous communities across Canada over the next 24 months, equipping more than 2,000 children with a total of 45,000 culturally relevant books.
The MLO program addresses settlement and integration needs of refugee and immigrant families in Ottawa schools to ensure a successful school experience for the students and support in the integration of families in the community. This program is one of many provided by the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization to support newcomers to Canada.
The Vending Machine Program
Assumption is one of five schools in Canada selected for the vending machine program, which provides a new book monthly for each student in the school, for a period of three years.
The Duchess and Literacy
The Duchess is recognised as an important campaigner on literacy in the UK and internationally. As a grandmother, HRH understands the joy of reading, but also the importance of literacy in creating life opportunities. HRH has visited schools and libraries, as well as workplace reading schemes and prisons to see the work of adult literacy schemes. She has numerous patronages in the UK including the National Literacy Trust, First Story, Coram Beanstalk, Booktrust and has recently taken on the Patronage of Book Aif from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. As Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society, The Duchess supports its flagship literacy project The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. Over the last few years Her Royal Highness has also attended overseas events launching the competition in New Zealand, St Vincent, Ghana, Gambia and Malaysia.
In May 2020, The Duchess joined the film-maker Taika Waititi as a guest for a charitable reading of James and The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl on YouTube. The campaign, run by the Roald Dahl Story Company, also supported charities helping those affected by Covid-19.
During Lockdown in 2020, Her Royal Highness published a list of her 9 favourite book recommendations over the Easter weekend, and shared 5 more in August. The hugely positive response to these lists prompted The Duchess to create an online space to continue this conversation, and in January 2021 The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room Instagram account was launched – a community space for book lovers to visit, and to see videos, photographs and commentary from some of Her Royal Highness’s recommended authors.
In March 2022, The Duchess of Cornwall launched a website for The Reading Room.
ENGAGEMENT 10
Their Royal Highnesses will attend an event with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
On arrival at the Stables, The Prince and The Duchess will be greeted by the Commissioner of the RCMP, Commissioner Brenda Lucki. The Commissioner will then introduce the Officer-in-Charge of the Musical Ride, Superintendent Kevin Fahey, the Corps Sergeant Major, Corps Sergeant Major Al McCambridge and the Ride Master, Sergeant Major Scott Williamson.
Inside the stables, Their Royal Highnesses will inspect and engage with ride members and their horses. The Prince and The Duchess will also meet with other trades of the Musical Ride, including a mare and foal with their handlers from the R.C.M.P.’s breeding farm, equestrian trainers, and farriers.
Their Royal Highnesses will then visit The Musical Ride Centre, which was opened in 2002 by Her Majesty the Queen and will be briefly shown the various landaus used by members of the Royal Family and vice-regal officers throughout the decades.
As Honorary Commissioner of the RCMP, His Royal Highness will take the opportunity to present Commissioner Lucki with her Long Service Medal and clasp, recognizing 35 years of service. (Please note – this element is a surprise.)
Their Royal Highnesses will then proceed to the reviewing stand to watch a command performance of the Musical Ride. Invitees to view the Musical Ride performance will include first responders representing fire, paramedic, healthcare, older people from care/retirement homes and law enforcement organizations from across Ottawa and Gatineau and their families, and students from schools in the neighbourhood.
The RCMP
The relationship between the RCMP and the Royal Family extends back to 1897, when a contingent of the North-West Mounted Police (as it was then named) paraded in London for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The sight of the red-coated Riders of the Western Canadian Plains so captivated Londoners that the British newspapers coined the word “Mounties” to describe them.
A North-West Mounted Police contingent participated in the Coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and the King personally awarded the Coronation Medal to each of the riders. It was in the 1904 Coronation Honours that His Majesty granted the prefix “royal” to the name.
It is the horses of the Musical Ride that have made the connection between The Queen and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police so special and unique.
Beginning with “Burmese” in 1969, followed by “Centennial” in 1973, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has given horses from the Musical Ride to Her Majesty and vice versa. Her Majesty The Queen was appointed Honourary Commissioner of the RCMP following her coronation in 1953. Since 2012, The Queen has been Commissioner-in-Chief of the RCMP and the position of Honourary Commissioner was passed to the Prince of Wales.
The riders of the Musical Ride are police officers at the rank of constable with at least three years of service in operational law enforcement. Riders generally stay three years with the ride, the first being instruction with the following two years active touring.
Every year, the Musical Ride tour and perform in different regions of Canada, and internationally on occasion. In the United Kingdom, the Musical Ride have participated in the parade at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, in 1957 at the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo, in 1969 across the UK, and most recently in 2012 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and in 2016 honouring The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and 90th birthday, respectively.
During COVID-19, the Musical Ride has been unable to tour during, though they have occasionally performed for smaller crowds locally. This command performance represents the first time since the start of the pandemic that the Ride has performed for a larger audience and is their first performance of the 2022 tour.
In celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, Supt. Fahey and five members of the Musical Ride will participate in the Royal Windsor Horse Show from 12th – 15th May 2022.
The RCMP Guidon
On parade will also be the RCMP Guidon, consecrated in 1973 by Her Majesty the Queen for the RCMP’s centennial celebrations, and paraded only for certain events including an inspection by a ceremonial commissioner.
ENGAGEMENT 11
His Royal Highness will meet with those helped by the 30 Birds Foundation and attend a Prince’s Trust engagement at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
His Royal Highness will be greeted by John Geiger CEO, Royal Canadian Geographical Society on arrival at the Society. Inside, His Royal Highness will meet Mark Fell, Chair, Prince’s Trust Canada who will introduce The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Mark Fell and Her Honour will accompany The Prince as he speaks with young women who have settled in Canada after fleeing the recent conflict in Afghanistan, as well as representatives of the 30 Birds Foundation program that aided their resettlement.
His Royal Highness will then be met by Sharon Broughton, CEO, Prince’s Trust Canada and introduced to Prince’s Trust Canada representatives and program participants. His Royal Highness will meet veterans who have started their own businesses, young people who have overcome barriers to secure employment, and partners who make the impact possible.
Before departure, His Royal Highness will sign the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Visitor’s Book.
30 Birds Foundation
The 30 Birds Foundation is dedicated to safeguarding the future of a group of 450 Afghans, predominantly schoolgirls, who we have evacuated from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
In August 2021, as the Taliban took Afghanistan, hundreds of schoolgirls went into hiding. The Taliban prohibits girls’ education past age 11, and many feared being forced into “marriage” with Taliban fighters, having seen similar atrocities happening in other provinces. To help them, a team of 8 ordinary citizens, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and Afghan ex-pats incorporated as the 30 Birds.
After evacuating the school’s founder and his family, they turned their attention to the girls who, as young athletes, artists, medics and musicians, were also receiving death threats from the Taliban. Determined to continue their education, these girls played an active role in coordinating their own escape. Under duress, moving in small numbers from city to city and past Taliban checkpoints, they would eventually help the 30 Birds guide more than 400 Afghans, including family members and various activists for female education safely across the border. Thanks to the humanitarian support of many, including the Canadian and Pakistani governments, and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, the first half of this community, evacuated in September made it to Canada where they are now flourishing. Unfortunately, the 2nd half, evacuated a month later, have remained stranded and in hiding in Pakistan since October 2021, while their futures are negotiated. They include 50 single girls, mostly aged 18-25, who were forced to flee without their families.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
In 2017, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society set out to transform a vacant building at 50 Sussex Drive in Ottawa into a permanent home for one of Canada’s oldest and most distinguished royal societies. Located along Confederation Boulevard — an important ceremonial route in the nation’s capital that connects Parliament to Rideau Hall — this modernist structure of stone, glass and steel overlooks a waterfall, three rivers and two provinces. It has panoramic-view galleries, a boardroom and meeting spaces. The lower level is home to the 300-plus-seat Alex Trebek Theatre.
Prince’s Trust Canada
Prince’s Trust Canada is a national charity whose vision is a sustainable future for Canada, where young people and communities thrive. Through innovative partnerships and guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, they contribute to an inclusive and sustainable future for Canada by helping equity-deserving young people and veterans explore, prepare for, and gain access to purposeful, good green jobs. Their programs help young people overcome barriers to employment and prepare for the future of work, provide entrepreneurship training and support for veterans, and address climate change mitigation and adaptation. Their work is inspired by the Founder and President, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and is driven by his vision for a more sustainable future.
ENGAGEMENT 12
The Prince of Wales will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Rideau Hall.
Prior to the sustainable economy roundtable in which the Prime Minister will also participate, His Royal Highness will meet with Minister Justin Trudeau in the Large Drawing Room at Rideau Hall.
The Large Drawing Room serves as a formal gathering room for guests both before and after events. The room is also used to entertain visiting Heads of State and their suite. Previously the “Red Salon”, this state room was added to the Residence in 1865-1866. In 1901, the room underwent extensive renovations. During the Victorian era, women retired to the Large Drawing Room where they would take tea, sew, play music and embroider. It was also here that the family would receive guests. Since its construction, it has always been used as a reception room. The artwork chosen to embellish its walls are all created by Canadian women.
His Royal Highness has previously met Prime Minister Trudeau on several occasions including at COP26 and G7 last year.
ENGAGEMENT 13
The Prince of Wales will attend a Sustainable Finance Engagement event with CEOs of Canadian Companies at the John G. Diefenbaker Building.
His Royal Highness and the Prime Minister will be greeted outside by Honourable Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
They will then join a round-table discussion led by Environment and Climate Change Canada with approximately 40 representatives from a variety of policy and business backgrounds from across Canada.
His Royal Highness and The Prime Minister are expected to offer remarks. Closing remarks will be made by The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
There will be an opportunity for a group photograph at the conclusion of the visit.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues, including climate change. Last year, Canada increased its ambition on climate change under the Paris Agreement and committed to reduce its emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Earlier this year the Department released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which highlights the many actions already driving significant emissions reductions in Canada as well as the new measures that will ensure they reach their emissions reduction target. This Plan includes $9.1 billion in new investments, and reflects economy-wide measures such as carbon pricing and clean fuels, while also targeting actions sector by sector ranging from buildings to vehicles to industry and agriculture. While the Department leads Canada’s efforts on climate change it also recognizes the need to work with strategic partners including provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, industry and stakeholders to drive ambitious action.
The John G. Diefenbaker Building
The John G. Diefenbaker Building is the former Ottawa City Hall. In 2011, it was renamed after the 13th Prime minister of Canada. Now operated by Public Services and Procurement Canada, the building consists of three integrated pavilions and is located on the national capital’s Ceremonial Route.
ENGAGEMENT 14
Their Royal Highnesses will meet with Governor General Mary Simon and His Excellency Whit Grant Fraser. Their Royal Highnesses will then attend an evening reception hosted by the Governor General to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee at Rideau Hall.
Their Royal Highnesses meet with the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, and her spouse, His Excellency Whit Grant Fraser, in the Large Drawing Room at Rideau Hall.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Mrs Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, will arrive at the Large Drawing Room to join Their Royal Highnesses and Their Excellencies as they proceed to the Tent Room for the reception at Rideau Hall.
Guests at the reception will include a wide variety of Canadians who have dedicated their lives to serving their community. Representatives from Their Royal Highnesses Regiments, other stakeholders and the national Platinum Jubilee commemorative projects will also be in attendance.
Their Royal Highness will meet with guests in the Tent Room and the Long Gallery. Her Excellency will accompany His Royal Highness, His Excellency with The Duchess of Cornwall, and the Prime Minister with his spouse.
Their Royal Highnesses met with Their Excellencies most recently in March 2022 in the UK.
This was the first official meeting of the Governor General with The Prince of Wales since her installation.
Their Royal Highnesses will also have an opportunity to interact with Their Excellencies in earlier events of this Royal Tour, including events in St. John’s, NL; upon arrival at Rideau Hall on the evening of May 17th; during the morning presentation of the Order of Military Merit at Rideau Hall; and at the National War Memorial ceremony on May 18th.
Individuals from a range of categories, including parliamentarians, National Indigenous Leaders, military representatives from Their Royal Highnesses’ Household Regiments, and representatives from civil society whose work aligns with Their Royal Highnesses’ Priorities will attend the reception.
