Governor General named Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
The Voice of Canada News
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – The Government of Canada is proud to honour the Canadian Coast Guard and its members who help ensure the safety of mariners and the marine environment, and help facilitate year-round marine shipping that is critical to Canada’s economy.
During her first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada attended a ceremony at the Coast Guard’s Atlantic regional headquarters in St. John’s, where she was invested as Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Her Excellency also presented four Exemplary Service Medals to members of the Canadian Coast Guard for their outstanding contributions and achievements in service to Canadians.
The Honorary Chief Commissioner’s roles and responsibilities include national ceremonial and promotional initiatives that celebrate the crucial role the Canadian Coast Guard plays in saving lives and protecting the marine environment.
Quotes
“Our Canadian Coast Guard members are highly professional and skilled stewards of the ocean from coast to coast to coast. They work tirelessly to ensure the safety of mariners, to protect and promote healthy marine environments for future generations while providing important economic opportunities to Canadians and coastal communities. We are pleased to welcome Her Excellency as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.”
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“Today, every single employee at the Canadian Coast Guard is filled with pride as we welcome the Governor General of Canada aboard as our new Honorary Chief Commissioner. Canada is a Maritime and Arctic nation. Her Excellency’s work will underscore just how important marine safety is to Canadians.”
Jeffery Hutchinson, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
- This investiture is the ninth since the title was first established in 1976 with the investment of the Right Honourable Jules Léger. Every subsequent Governor General has carried the title.
The last Governor General of Canada to be invested at a ceremony in St. John’s, Newfoundland as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard was the Right Honourable, Michaëlle Jean in 2006. In 2002, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson was also invested as the Honorary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard in St. John’s.
