Governor General makes first official visit

Canada’s Governor General will be in Edmonton Tuesday as part of her first official visit to Alberta.

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette was sworn in as Canada’s 29th representative of the Queen in October.

A former businesswoman and astronaut, Payette has completed two space flights and logged more than 25 days in space. She was chief astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency and was capsule communicator at NASA Mission Control Center in Houston.

As part of the proceedings, Payette will receive military honours, including a 100-person guard of honour from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the viceregal salute and a 21-gun salute by the 20th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.

Members of the public can view the welcoming ceremony at the legislature grounds. The guard of honour will march onto the legislature grounds at 9:30 a.m. with Payette arriving at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

For only the second time in Alberta’s history, the Governor General will also address members of the Legislative Assembly in the chamber. Proceedings begin at 1:30 p.m.

Although the building will be closed to the public, those keen to watch live can do so via assembly. ab.ca or on Alberta Assembly TV (channel 843 for Telus customers, channel 930 on Shaw and channel 263 on Shaw BlueSky).

On Tuesday night, Lt.- Gov. Lois E. Mitchell and Premier Rachel Notley will host an official reception at Government House.

Mitchell called Payette a “dynamic, innovative and optimistic leader.”