PM releases itinerary of the 2010 Royal Tour

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the itinerary of the Royal Tour of Canada by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The royal couple will tour Halifax; Toronto; Waterloo, Ontario; Winnipeg; and the National Capital Region from June 28 to July 6.

“All Canadians eagerly anticipate welcoming Her Majesty. The Crown endures as a symbol of our unique Canadian identity, uniting Canadians of every background and every region,” said the Prime Minister. “Canadians hold Her Majesty and the Royal Family in deep affection and high regard, a sentiment which is clearly mutual.”

The itinerary, which was developed in collaboration with municipalities, provinces and private organizations, includes the following highlights:

• Welcoming ceremony at Garrison Grounds in Halifax (June 28)

• Mi’kmaq cultural event in Halifax (June 28)

• International Fleet Review in Halifax to mark Canadian Navy Centennial (June 29)

• Canadian Museum of Nature visit in Ottawa (June 30)

• The Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill (July 1)

• Dedication of a cornerstone at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg (July 3)

• The Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto (July 4)

• Tour of the RIM BlackBerry facility in Waterloo (July 5)

• Film shoot at Pinewood studios in Toronto (July 5)

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&featureId=6&pageId=26&id=3444

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Itinerary for 2010 Royal Tour of Canada

Monday, June 28

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

2:20 p.m.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Stanfield International Airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia to begin their nine-day tour of Canada. On this Royal Tour, they will celebrate Canadian milestones and participate in events and dedications highlighting Canadian service and commitment at the local, national and global level.

3:00 p.m.

Official arrival at Garrison Grounds: This colourful ceremony includes military honours, performances, and the presence of many Canadian dignitaries. Her Majesty addresses Canadians, signs the Government of Canada Golden Book and the Provincial Guest book, and conducts a walkabout so she can meet as many Canadians as possible. Canadians are invited to attend in person or watch the ceremony, which will broadcast live, on television.

3:55 p.m.

Mi’kmaq cultural event at Halifax Common: The focus of this event is to highlight the role of First Nations and Mi’kmaq communities in contemporary Canada. Her Majesty’s participation also honours the 400th Anniversary of the Baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou. The Queen’s attendance shines a light on the importance the future holds for the Mi’kmaq community and the role their history, culture, and traditions have had on Nova Scotia and Canada. Nova Scotia is home to 13 First Nation Mi’kmaq communities.

4:25 p.m.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh rededicate Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and The Queen’s official residence during provincial tours. More than 200 years old, it is the oldest official residence in Canada. The residence has recently undergone an extensive three-year renovation.

Tuesday, June 29

Halifax, Nova Scotia

10:45p.m.

Presentation of World Ship Trust Certificate: At Government House, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh presents the World Ship Trust Certificate to representatives of the HMCS HAIDA, an historical naval ship that is now a National Historic site in Hamilton, Ontario. The HMCS HAIDA is the last remaining example of the 27 Tribal Class destroyers built for the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy between 1937 and 1945.

12:20 p.m

Luncheon at CFB Halifax: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are hosted by The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and meet serving men and women from the Base.

2:00 p.m.

International Fleet Review: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada's largest centre for ocean research, for the International Fleet Review. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness meet members of Canada’s navy and celebrate the Canadian Naval Centennial. This historic event, a spectacular pageant of Navy tradition, features 22 foreign ships.

Canadians have the opportunity to meet The Queen during her walkabout on the Martime Museum wharf, where HMSC Sackville is docked. The HMCS Sackville, the last surviving WWII Canadian-built corvette, is now a naval museum. On the wharf, Her Majesty unveils a plaque commemorating the ship and meets serving military, veterans, and cadets.

5:15 p.m.

Private reception at Government House: The Duke of Edinburgh has a reception with members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief. The 2nd Battalion is the only regular force infantry battalion stationed in Atlantic Canada.

8:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Nova Scotia at the Cunard Centre: Hosted by the Government of Nova Scotia, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness enjoy a celebration that highlights Nova Scotians who have made, and continue to make significant contributions to their communities, their province, and their country.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Halifax, Nova Scotia

10:20 a.m.

Departure from Nova Scotia: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh plant a tree in the Government House garden to commemorate their visit to Nova Scotia. They depart for Ottawa.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Ottawa, Ontario

12:25 p.m.

Tour of the Canadian Museum of Nature: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh begin their visit to the National Capital Region by touring the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, named after Her Majesty’s great, great grandmother, now home of the Canadian Museum of Nature in downtown Ottawa.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh wish to honour the tireless efforts of volunteers and Canadians who care about safeguarding our national treasures and preserving our heritage buildings: this 100-year-old stone, castle-like building was designated a national historic site and has recently completed an extensive renovation. The Queen unveils a commemorative plaque and meets volunteers. Outside the Museum, she greets Canadians.

1:15 p.m.

Unveiling of statue of Oscar Peterson: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visit the National Arts Centre (NAC), one of Canada’s foremost showcases for the performing arts. They honour a great Canadian who entertained audiences all over the world and played for Her Majesty in person during her Golden Jubilee when she visited Toronto: jazz-piano great Oscar Peterson. The Queen unveils the bronze statue created by Ruth Abernethy and meets Mrs. Kelly Peterson, Oscar Peterson’s widow, and Celine Peterson, his daughter. On their way back to the car, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh stop to chat with the Canadians who have come to see the new statue and meet The Royal Couple.

1:40 p.m.

3:00 p.m. Tree planting at Rideau Hall: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Rideau Hall and plant a tree to commemorate their visit to Canada. Over 120 commemorative trees grace the grounds of Rideau Hall, planted by members of the Royal Family, heads of state and other dignitaries. This is the fifth tree The Queen has planted at Rideau Hall.

Private reception with Cameron Highlanders at Rideau Hall: The Duke of Edinburgh meets with members of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief.

4:30 p.m.

Audience at Rideau Hall: Her Majesty has an audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

5:00 p.m.

Unveiling of Diamond Jubilee window/bust for the Senate at Rideau Hall: The Queen unveils the design for the Diamond Jubilee Window for the Senate of Canada, the upper chamber of the Parliament of Canada. The window will commemorate Her Majesty’s 60 years of service as Queen of Canada, which will be celebrated in 2012, and that of Queen Victoria’s, which was celebrated in 1897. The Queen also unveils a design for a bust of Her Majesty for the Senate Foyer. Her likeness will be carved later this year and appear on the arch across from her late father, King George VI.

5:20 p.m.

Garden Party at Rideau Hall: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh end their day with a garden reception.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Canada Day!

Ottawa

12:05 p.m.

Canada Day Noon Show: Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh join in the Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill. Rich in Canadian tradition, the Canada Day Noon Show is both a protocol event and a festive party. Focusing on the theme “Our Year to Shine: Canada Welcomes the World” the Noon Show will also celebrate 143 years of service at home and abroad.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness arrive by landau escorted by mounted members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. After military honours and a fly-past, they enjoy performances by the Bare Naked Ladies, Quebec pop stars Isabelle Boulay and Marjo, Guelph, Ontario, bagpipers The Campbell Brothers and Newfoundland Indie rock band Hey Rosetta! to name only a few. The Queen gives an address and meets as many Canadians as possible on her walkabout as she leaves. The Noon Show will be broadcast live.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Ottawa

10:00 a.m.

Audience with Michael Ignatieff: The Queen has an audience with the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Winnipeg

12:20 p.m. (CDT)

Departure from Ottawa and Offical arrival to Winnipeg, Manitoba: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are officially welcomed to Manitoba at the new James A. Richardson airport. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are the first official passengers to the airport, entering the terminal via an arrival bridge.

The emphasis is on youth and encouraging them to contribute to their community, as The Queen Elizabeth II Silverwings Youth Scholarship is announced. To honour the Canadian record of service: past, present and especially looking toward the future, The Queen signs a letter addressed to the youth of Manitoba, and with the help of two young cadets, places it in a time capsule that will be opened in the year 2060.

4:20 p.m.

Statue unveiling and tree planting at Government House: After a luncheon hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, The Queen unveils a statue of herself created by the late Leo Mol, a world-renowned Manitoba artist and sculptor. The statue is at Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness also place a shrub in the Government House garden, to be renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens.

5:20 p.m.

Cornerstone dedication at The Forks: The visit to the site of the Human Rights Museum illustrates Her Majesty’s support for Canadian efforts to educate and expand the global discussion on human rights. As leader of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty has long been a champion of human rights, working hard to abolish apartheid in South Africa.

Her Majesty dedicates a stone from Runnymede—the site of the 1215 signing of the Magna Carta, the document considered to be one of the most significant steps toward democratic freedoms and our contemporary concept of human rights—as the cornerstone of the museum. Once finished, the museum will be a national centre of learning, where Canadians and people from around the world can engage in discussion and commit to taking action against hate and oppression. The Queen pauses to greet Canadians who have come to see the dedication of the cornerstone.

5:40 p.m.

Manitoba Homecoming Canadian Concert For Human Rights, The Forks: Her Majesty will deliver an address at the concert, which celebrates Manitoba’s ethnocultural diversity and Her Majesty’s visit.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Toronto, Ontario

10:55 a.m.

Morning church service: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh begin their tour of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, with morning worship at the Cathedral Church of St. James. St. James has served Toronto as a spiritual centre for more than 200 years. The service is followed by a presentation of hand bells from the Chapels Royal of the Mohawk (Christ Church, Tyendinaga and St. Paul’s, Grand River) and the rededication of St. George’s Chapel, so named to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V’s accession to the throne. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness greet well-wishers after the service is over.

3:55 p.m.

Attending the running of The Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack: A great lover of horses, this is the fourth time Her Majesty has watched the Queen’s Plate; the first time was in 1959 when she celebrated the 100th running of the race. By attending the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America, Her Majesty is supporting Canadian sport and Canadian-bred race horses.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Waterloo, Ontario

11:00 a.m.

Touring the Research in Motion (RIM) facility in Waterloo: Her Majesty and His Royal Highness visit the Waterloo area, where they tour RIM, makers of the BlackBerry. The Queen shows her support for a Canadian technology that has profoundly changed the way we do business; RIM has put Canadian technical expertise front and centre in a competitive global environment. In addition, RIM is a company conscious of its corporate responsibility to the community: they have a corporate philanthropy program that invests in education and youth.

Toronto, Ontario

12:50 p.m.

Luncheon and tour of Pinewood Studios, Toronto: Supporters of Canada’s film industry The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive in Toronto at Pinewood Studios for a luncheon hosted by the Province of Ontario and a tour of Canada's largest film and television production complex and the third largest film studio in North America after Los Angles and New York. Deepa Mehta, the acclaimed Canadian film director, explains a current project to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness and they watch a scene being shot in 3-D. Her Majesty also views footage of her 1953 coronation that was shot in 3-D.

4:30 p.m.

Gold Award Presentation: The Duke of Edinburgh presents The Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which encourage and support the personal development of young people around the world. About six million have participated in this program, created by His Royal Highness in 1956. The Award now operates in 126 countries and has been active in Canada since 1963.

7:00 p.m.

Official dinner: Hosted by the Prime Minister and Mrs. Harper, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh meet Canadians who have made significant contributions to their neighbourhood, community or country. They represent the best of Canada’s bilingual, multicultural, diverse society. The Queen delivers an address to Canadians.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Toronto, Ontario

10:40 a.m.

Medal presentation at Queen’s Park: In keeping with the theme of service, The Queen is present when the Ontario Medals for Good Citizenship are awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. She also unveils a plaque outside the Legislature. The ceremony takes place at Queen’s Park, home of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

11:40 a.m.

Official departure ceremony from Canada and Ontario at Queen’s Park.: A colourful ceremony as Canadians say farewell to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the official departure from Canada and Ontario. Her Majesty conducts a walkabout to say goodbye to as many Canadians as she can in person.

12:40 p.m.

Viewing of new badge: At the airport, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh admire the newly awarded coat of arms and badge created for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). An agency of the Government of Canada, CBSA ensures the security and prosperity of Canada by managing the access of people and goods to and from Canada.

12:55 p.m.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh depart Canada, marking the end of Her Majesty The Queen’s 22nd tour of Canada.

Read More at the Royal at http://royaltour.gc.ca/itiner/itiner-eng.cfm