Governor General visits Manitoba Legislature

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/06/2011 (5422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With pomp, ceremony — and lots of cannon shots — Gov. Gen. David Johnston arrived at the Maniotba Legislature to meet with Premier Greg Selinger today.

Johnston, dressed in a crisp blue suit and with his wife Sharon, was presented with a bouquet of flowers by three-year-old Talina Rampersad-Husack.

Johnston and the child sang a quick verse of Do-Re-Mi together.

Once inside, the Governor General met briefly with Tory leader Hugh McFadyen and Liberal leader Jon Gerrard.

“It’ great to be here,” Johnston said.

After entering the Premier’s office, Johnston complimented the community for getting an NHL team.

“As of last night I have switched my allegience from the Vancouver Canucks to the Winnipeg Whatevers,” he quipped.

Johnston was also greeted outside by a flag-waving group of students from Stanley Knowles School.

“I booked a tour and look what we discovered today,” said Grade 7 teacher Ellie Janzen. “These students are all new immigrants from the Phillipines and India. It is an exciting day for them.

The Governor General and his wife then made the short walk from the Legislature to Government House where they met with Lieut.-Gov. Philip Lee and his wife Anita.

They walked through the side garden, admiring the statue of Queen Elizabeth II sculpted by the late Leo Mol, and looked at the Amber Jubilee Ninebark bush planted by the Queen during her visit last year.

Then they went inside Government House to sign the official guest book before heading off to have a private lunch.

This afternoon, Johnston and his wife were set to visit the Red River Floodway control structure and the 17 Wing Air Command Headquarters.

Tomorrow, the best chance for the public to see the Governor General would be the new children’s park beside the Pavilion Gallery in Assiniboine Park at 1:15 p.m., where he is scheduled to plant an oak tree.