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Canada's new Governor General to visit Yellowknife

Canada's newly-appointed Governor General is heading North.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette will make a stop in Yellowknife as a part of a her first official visit to the Northwest Territories. Payette, who became the 29th Governor General on Oct. 2 after being recommended by Prime Minister Trudeau, is set to touch down in the territory's capital on Nov. 14, stated a news release Friday.During Payette's visit, which coincides with Yellowknife's 50th anniversary as NWT's capital, she is slated to meet with territorial officials including the GNWT's Commissioner Margaret Thom, Premier Bob McLeod, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jackson Lafferty, Mayor Heyck and Chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Edward Sangris.

Newly-appointed Governor General of Canada Julie Payette will be making a stop in Yellowknife on Nov. 14 as part of her first official trip to the Northwest Territories. Wikimedia Commons photo.

Talks will focus on local youth, along with "professionals in the areas of energy, science and the environment and members of Canadian Armed Forces," stated the release.

Payette's trip from Ottawa to NWT, scheduled to wrap up Nov. 15, will also see the Governor General make stops in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, where she will assist in the inauguration of the new highway connecting both communities. According to the statement, her appearance will mark a "historical moment and a testament of the things that can happen when communities and governments work together."

The following itinerary, outlining Payette's day in Yellowknife, was provided in Friday's release:

10 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Upon arrival in Yellowknife, Her Excellency will be greeted by the Honourable Margaret Thom, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and by Brig.-Gen. Mike Nixon and CWO Ronald Beyerbach, both of Joint Task Force (North). The Governor General will be welcomed by a guard of honour.
Hangar of the 440 Squadron, Yellowknife

10:30 a.m.
Meeting with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Premier and Chief Sangris
Her Excellency will meet with the Jackson Lafferty, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; the Robert McLeod, premier of the Northwest Territories; and Chief Edward Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

11:20 a.m.
Meeting with the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
The Governor General will meet with Margaret Thom, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

12:15 p.m.
Discussion with Youths
Her Excellency will meet with local youths to hear about their aspirations and to discuss some of the challenges they face.

2 p.m.
Meeting with the Mayor of Yellowknife
Her Excellency will meet with His Worship Mark Heyck, Mayor of Yellowknife.
Mayor's Office, City Hall, 4807-52 Street, Yellowknife

2:15 p.m.
Discussion on Sustainability in the North
Her Excellency will engage in a conversation on sustainability in the North with community members and professionals in the areas of energy, science and the environment.

5:50 p.m.
Visit to Joint Task Force (North) Headquarters
As commander-in-chief, Her Excellency will visit Joint Task Force (North) Headquarters where she will receive an overview of operations from Brigadier-General Mike Nixon, Commander of Joint Task Force (North).

6:30 p.m.
Dinner Hosted by the Premier and the Commander of Joint Task Force (North)
The Governor General will attend a dinner hosted by the Premier and the Commander of Joint Task Force (North). Her Excellency, the Premier and the Commander will all deliver remarks on this occasion. This event will allow Her Excellency to meet with key leaders of the community.