Military duties and welcomes overseas Michaëlle Jean

governor general michaëlle jean president of brazil, lula da silva, july 11, 2007



jean presiding on remembrance day ceremonies in ottawa, 2007

the viceregal family undertook first international trip in february 2006, journeying italy attend closing ceremonies of 2006 winter olympics, meet italian president carlo azeglio ciampi in torino, , pope benedict xvi @ vatican. 3 months later, jean attended investiture of rené préval president of haiti, jean s first visit homeland in capacity queen s representative, , greeted enthusiasm in jacmel. @ end of year, between november 18 , december 11, 2006, jean embarked on trip consisting of state visits 5 african countries—algeria, mali, ghana, south africa, , morocco—wherein governor general encouraged women s rights. also, in precedent-breaking move, explained on citizen voices website role of governor general in undertaking such trips , reason behind these particular tours throughout africa, after continued post observations , feelings on experiences on continent. in mali, arrived on november 23, 2006, jean greeted tens of thousands of people lining highway motorcade passed and, in town of benieli, presented goat, replete canadian flag on collar. male vendors gave canadian journalists gifts passed on jean, provided given telephone numbers. further, during south african leg of tour, president thabo mbeki praised queen-in-council s decision appoint jean governor general, citing example european countries of how african immigrants treated.

jean embraced role acting commander-in-chief, 1 of first international duties being trip, october 29–30, 2005, france 90th anniversary of battle of vimy ridge, after returned canada arrival @ trenton, ontario, of bodies of 6 canadian soldiers killed in afghanistan. jean made on march 8, 2007, first visit canadian troops taking part in offensive in afghanistan; had earlier expressed desire go, harper advised against such trip on grounds of security concerns, relevance of demonstrated when 2 attacks made against canadian soldiers on same day governor general landed in kabul. jean had arrival timed international women s day, stating: women of afghanistan may face unbearable conditions, never stop fighting survival. of course, we, rest of women around world, took long hear cries of our afghan sisters, here tell them no longer alone. , neither people of afghanistan. part of governor general s itinerary included meeting afghan women, canadian soldiers, royal canadian mounted police teams, humanitarian workers, , diplomats.