Annual Report 2006–07 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General · Annual Report 2006–07 Message from the Secretary to the Governor General and Herald Chancellor It is a pleasure for me to invite Canadians to review the fourth annual report by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG). The OSGG exists to support the governor general and commander-in-chief of Canada in carrying out his or her constitutional and State duties together with an active program aimed at highlighting the evolving nature of Canadian society and the contributions and achievements of our fellow citizens. The fiscal year under review, 2006-2007, marked the first full year of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean’s mandate. In addition to carrying out her constitutional and State duties that are highlighted in this annual report, the importance of the governor general’s role in promoting and celebrating Canadian excellence was demonstrated by honouring Canadian excellence through the honours program, which recognizes ordinary Canadians for extraordinary service, bravery and academic achievement; showcasing talented Canadian performers through the free summer concerts at Rideau Hall; and promoting the excellence of Canadian food and wine through the events offered at the two official residences. The governor general’s role as Commander-in-Chief of Canada was highlighted through support for the Canadian Forces and the importance of the work they are doing on behalf of Canada. The governor general visited deployed troops in Afghanistan and deployed sailors aboard HMCS Iroquois; participated in several repatriation ceremonies at CFB Trenton for fallen soldiers and participated in pre-deployment activities at CFB Petawawa. During the year, the inaugural presentation of Military Valour Decorations to recognize acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy took place. The OSGG’s annual report outlines how the governor general serves Canadians every day. It describes key activities and their cost, as well as their value to Canadians. It also details the governor general’s salary and the administrative costs of the Office. The OSGG is grateful to those government departments and agencies that support the governor general through their legislated mandates, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which provides protective services to Their Excellencies; the National Capital Commission, which maintains the residence and grounds of Rideau Hall; Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, which supports the governor general’s international activities; and the Department of National Defence, which supports the governor general in the role of commander- in-chief. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Office’s staff for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Sheila-Marie Cook page ii Table of Contents Message from the Secretary to the Governor General and Herald Chancellor .............................................................................ii Overview of the Roles and Responsibilities of the Governor General .....................................................................................................1 Role of the Spouse of the Governor General ............................................................................................................................................................................1 Overview of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General .........................................................................................................................................2 Figure 1. Organization Chart as of March 31, 2007 ..................................................................................................................................................................2 B. Support from Other Government Departments ..............................................................................................................................................................3 Figure 2. Support from other government departments (in millions of dollars), 2006–07 ...................................................................................3 Report on Performance ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Constitutional Responsibilities .........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Responsibilities as Head of State ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................5 Commander-in-Chief .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Bringing Canadians Together .............................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Visits to Canadian communities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Events held at the official residences.............................................................................................................................................................................................7 Public events held at the official residences ..............................................................................................................................................................................8 Visitors’ program ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Figure 3. Visits to Rideau Hall by program category, 2006–07 ...........................................................................................................................................10 Anniversaries, special messages and correspondence ........................................................................................................................................................10 Figure 4. Anniversaries, special messages and correspondence, 2006–07 .....................................................................................................................10 Honouring Canadians and Recognizing Excellence .........................................................................................................................................................................11 The Chancellery of Honours .............................................................................................................................................................................................................11 The mandate ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 The mission..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Highlights of 2006–07 ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Canadian Orders .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 5. Order of Canada Awards, 2006–07 .............................................................................................................................................................................12 Decorations and Medals ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 6. Military Valour Decorations, 2006–07 .........................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 7. Decorations for Bravery, 2006–07 ..................................................................................................................................................................................13 Figure 8. Meritorious Service Decorations, 2006–07 .................................................................................................................................................................13 Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award