Today we took a break from the move and went to the National Gallery of Canada on Sussex Drive to see an exhibit marking the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unity, it features an exhibit of works by Caravaggio and painters of his time who were influenced by his style. Afterwards, we went to have lunch across the street in the Market, since we had time we decided to visit the Nicholas Hoare Bookstore, which always has a treasure trove of books. I found a new book, a biography on General Georges Vanier (1888-1967) and his wife Pauline Archer Vanier written by Mary Frances Coady.
His Excellency, the Right Honourable, General Georges Vanier was the 19th Governor General of Canada since 1867 and the first French Canadian to occupy the position of Commander in Chief and Vice Roy of Canada, two Prime Minister's served under him, John Diefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson. A war hero (1914-1918), a founder of the Royal 22nd Regiment of Quebec, a diplomat, he was the first Canadian Ambassador to France (1946). He also started the policy of official bilingualism, (French, English) in the Canadian army. His wife Pauline and he were also humanitarians, actively involved in many organizations to help Canadian families and the disadvantaged, they also helped change the restrictive immigration rules to permit 188,000 refugees from Europe to come to Canada after the Second World War. They had five children and one, Jean has become famous for his work with the handicapped
his Foundation L'Arche is very well known, I had the honour to meet him in Jordan some years ago and was very impressed with him.
A quote by General Georges Vanier from his speech upon becoming Governor General of Canada in 1959, struck me, he said: If Canada is to become a great Nation, each one of us must ask ourselves, how can I serve. His was a time when people served others and their country without asking what they were getting in return or demanding rights.
H.E. the Right Honorable, General Georges Vanier wearing on this photo his uniform of Governor General of Canada with his wife Pauline.
His Excellency, the Right Honourable, General Georges Vanier was the 19th Governor General of Canada since 1867 and the first French Canadian to occupy the position of Commander in Chief and Vice Roy of Canada, two Prime Minister's served under him, John Diefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson. A war hero (1914-1918), a founder of the Royal 22nd Regiment of Quebec, a diplomat, he was the first Canadian Ambassador to France (1946). He also started the policy of official bilingualism, (French, English) in the Canadian army. His wife Pauline and he were also humanitarians, actively involved in many organizations to help Canadian families and the disadvantaged, they also helped change the restrictive immigration rules to permit 188,000 refugees from Europe to come to Canada after the Second World War. They had five children and one, Jean has become famous for his work with the handicapped
his Foundation L'Arche is very well known, I had the honour to meet him in Jordan some years ago and was very impressed with him.
A quote by General Georges Vanier from his speech upon becoming Governor General of Canada in 1959, struck me, he said: If Canada is to become a great Nation, each one of us must ask ourselves, how can I serve. His was a time when people served others and their country without asking what they were getting in return or demanding rights.
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