A Royal Visit to Begin Summer
On July 3rd, Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Winnipeg and I had the great honour of meeting them both.
I was formally introduced to The Queen following her arrival at the new James Armstrong International Airport before heading to Government House, home to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, His Honour the Honourable Philip S. Lee, C.M., O.M., and Her Honour Mrs. Anita Lee. I was actually quite anxious before being introduced to The Queen, but I found her to be very welcoming and kind.
At Government House we participated in a formal luncheon with approximately 75 guests, where I had the pleasure of being seated with The Duke of Edinburgh. Being in the company of The Duke of Edinburgh was fascinating as he offered comments on a variety of topics.
Following lunch, The Queen planted a new shrub developed in her honour and rededicated a Leo Mol sculpture of her own likeness in the garden at Government House. I was invited to join her on a walkabout through the grounds at Government House where I was able to speak with many Provencher residents who made the trip to Winnipeg to catch a glimpse of The Queen, including members of the Navy League of Canada, Dawson Branch from Lorette.
Later in the day, I joined The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a concert at The Forks and was able to bid them both farewell as they departed Winnipeg from the Canadian Forces Base 17 Wing.
It was a remarkable day. I enjoyed the chance to experience the energy and enthusiasm of all those who waited for their chance to welcome The Queen to Winnipeg. I was very honoured to be a part of it all and to see so many Provencher residents over the course of the day.
The Royal Visit was a wonderful way to begin summer in our beautiful province. I am now looking forward to meeting many more of you throughout the summer as I take part in the numerous summer fairs, festivals and parades throughout our riding. I always look forward to this part of the year, as it gives me a chance to escape from Ottawa and spend more time with my constituents. Our casual summer chats allow me to gain a bit more perspective on how the issues in Ottawa impact your daily lives.
