Ottawa –

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will be in Toronto, on February 12 and 13, 2014.

Her Excellency will commence the visit by speaking with youth who are encouraging community change through the Unity arts programs. Later in the afternoon, Their Excellencies will underline the importance of constitutional monarchy in Canada by attending a book launch on the subject.

That evening, they will attend a black light theatrical performance by Famous People Players. His Excellency will then present the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to five members of the organization for their contributions to its sustainability.

On the second day, His Excellency will address senior leaders and volunteers from the not–for–profit sector at the Association of Fundraising Professionals D3 Leadership Conference. Lastly, Their Excellencies will be in attendance for the only Canadian stop on theFIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca–Cola, as it makes its way to Brazil for the 2014 tournament. This event will highlight the growing enthusiasm for soccer in Canada and the importance of staying active.

Below is Their Excellencies’ detailed itinerary:

Wednesday, February 12

2:30 p.m.
Visit to Unity Charity

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will meet with youth enrolled in the Unity arts programs and learn how Unity impacts their lives. She will take part in a spoken word poetry workshop with the youth in attendance. Following the workshop, participants will then share their life stories through interpretive performances of breakdancing and spoken word poetry.

Unity Charity is an organization that empowers youth to be role models and leaders in their communities through after–school programs in breakdancing, graffiti art, spoken word poetry and beat boxing. It uses powerful messaging integrated with urban art forms to engage students and ultimately inspire them to find their voice among their peers and their community when dealing with such issues as bullying, violence, school life, culture and relationships. For more information, please visit www.ckc.tcf.ca/org/unity-charity.

Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto

Open to Media
Media Contact: Damien Nelson, 416–533–7710 ext: 221, damien@flip-publicity.com

5 p.m.
Book Launch of Canada and the Crown: Essays on Constitutional Monarchy

Their Excellencies will attend an official book launch hosted by Their Honours the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley. During the event, His Excellency, who penned the foreword for the book, will address the audience. Edited by Michael Jackson and Philippe Lagassé, Canada and the Crown: Essays on Constitutional Monarchy assesses the historical and contemporary importance of constitutional monarchy in Canada.

Lieutenant Governor’s Suite, Queen’s Park

Open to Media
Media Contact: John Gross, 416–325–7786, john.gross@ontario.ca

8 p.m.
Famous People Players Performance and Presentation of the Caring Canadian Awards

Their Excellencies will attend a unique black light theatrical performance that pays tribute to the music and artistry of famous people by combining music and life–size characters. On this occasion, His Excellency will speak briefly and present the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to five individuals from the Famous PEOPLE Players theatre company. The list of recipients and their citations are included below.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2014, this internationally renowned black light theatre company was founded by Diane Lynn Dupuy,C.M., and has become a Canadian national treasure. Dedicated to helping those who are developmentally challenged, the performances include exceptional achievements from those who have dared to believe in themselves. Governors general have been patrons of the Famous People Players since 2006. For more information, please visit www.FamousPeoplePlayers.com.

Dine and Dream Theatre, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto 

Open to Media
Media Contact: Jeannine Dupuy, 416–532–1137, jdupuyfoo@icloud.com

Thursday, February 13

9 a.m.
Address to the Association of Fundraising Professionals D3 (Debate, Debunk and Delight) Leadership Conference

His Excellency will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Association of Fundraising  Professionals (AFP) D3 Leadership Conference. During his speech, the Governor General will invite those in attendance to consider different ways of using their roles, talents and influence in the development of a stronger, smarter and more caring nation. His Excellency’s address will be followed by a question period. 

D3 (Debate, Debunk and Delight) is a one–day leadership conference organized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter. Attended by 175 of the most senior leaders and volunteers from the not–for–profit sector, the conference is designed to engage the participants in meaningful discussion and debate. This is the third edition of the conference. For more information, please visit http://afptorontoevents.info/d3/.

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, north–east corner of Bay & Elm Streets, Toronto 

Open to Media
Media Contact: Cynthia Quigley, 416–941–9212, cquigley@afptoronto.org

10:15 a.m.
FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Event by Coca–Cola

As physical activity and promoting healthy living are of utmost importance to Their Excellencies, they will be present for the only Canadian stop on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca–Cola. As the representative of the Crown in Canada, the Governor General will have the unique opportunity to touch the trophy, something that only heads of State and previous FIFA World Cup winners can do. The trophy will be on display for the day at the CBC Atrium for public viewing before it is flown to its next destination in Spain.

The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest events in the world and will take place in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014. To celebrate this event, Coca–Cola (official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978) and FIFA have developed a tour to take the iconic FIFA World Cup™ Trophy to 90 countries over 9 months, travelling just under 150 000 kilometres. This tour will give more than one million people around the world the chance to get up close and personal with the real, one–of–a–kind, solid–gold FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.

CBC Headquarters, 205 Wellington Street West, Toronto

Open to Media
Media Contact: John O’Leary, 416–424–6493, jooleary@coca-cola.com

Caring Canadian Award Recipients and Citations

Patrick Anderson
Toronto, Ontario

Patrick Anderson, a lawyer by profession, has volunteered with and served on the board of Famous People Players since 1987. He has raised funds to support people with developmental and physical disabilities, and has volunteered his time and legal services on all matters pertaining to the organization including its international tours. Mr. Anderson also volunteers in the community, at his church and for the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Canada.

Robert Angeloni
King City, Ontario

Robert Angeloni is the president and CEO of CVC Communications Agency. He has volunteered his time and resources to Famous People Players for over 15 years. From hosting impromptu recording sessions and designing promotional material, to developing and maintaining the group’s website, Mr. Angeloni has been engaged in many aspects of the organization. He has also shaped the board of directors into what it is today, having recruited many other talented volunteers who advocate for persons with developmental and physical disabilities

Aldo Boccia
Toronto, Ontario

Aldo Boccia, a dentist, has been volunteering with Famous People Players for 30 years, providing dentistry services pro–bono and helping with fundraising events. In the wider community, he also gives his time in support of such organizations as the Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Toronto Rotary Club, the Downs Syndrome Society of Toronto, and the Canadian Cancer Society. He volunteers at his church and has run local baseball and hockey clubs.

Manuel Da Costa
King City, Ontario

Manuel Da Costa is the president of Viana Roofing and has volunteered with Famous People Players for the past five years, helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the facility. He has contributed extensively to Toronto’s Portuguese community as the founder of the Camões House for the Aged and co–founder of the Gallery of the Portuguese Pioneers, a museum that preserves the stories of early Portuguese immigrants. Mr. Da Costa also created the Portuguese–Canadian Walk of Fame, to recognize those who have enhanced Portuguese culture in Canada.

Susan Bow
Brampton, Ontario

Susan Bow has been a volunteer with Famous People Players since 1997. She recruits volunteers, helps set stages while on tour, cares for the company members and mans the concession stand. From running to the hardware store for supplies to fix a broken prop, to looking after a performer who has fallen ill, she is there. In her community of Brampton, she volunteers at the Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre, the Rose Theatre, and the Brampton Arts Council.

About the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character.