STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today at the beginning of the nine-day Royal Tour of Canada by Her Majesty The Queen of Canada and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh:
“It is a privilege and an honour to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness back to Canada. We are pleased that Her Majesty is coming to see us in a year when Canada is shining on the world stage, both as host of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and, most recently, as host of the G-8 and G-20 summits.
“The Royal Tour gives Canadians the opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a nation as well as on the important role that Her Majesty continues to play as our Head of State.
“On this Royal Tour, Her Majesty The Queen will celebrate and commemorate Canada — past, present, and future — at several events and ceremonies taking place across the country. It will also provide Canadians with an opportunity to honour The Queen’s life of duty and service as we prepare to celebrate in 2012 The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession.
“During the Royal Tour, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will attend an International Fleet Review in Halifax to commemorate the Canadian Naval Centennial, celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa, dedicate a cornerstone for the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, attend the running of the Queen’s Plate in Toronto and tour the RIM facility in Waterloo, Ontario.
“I know Canadians will participate in activities of the Queen’s 22nd Royal Tour of Canada with enthusiasm and will be inspired to learn more about our traditions and history while honouring our monarch.”
For more information, visit www.royaltour.gc.ca.
