OTTAWA—

At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will conduct visitsto Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium, from October 22 to 29, 2014.

All timings indicated are in local time zone (Central European Summer Time until Sunday, October 24, when it will change to Central European Time - UTC/GMT + 6:00).

State Visit to Poland

Warsaw, Poland - Wednesday, October 22

10:30 p.m.
Arrival at the Warsaw Military Airport

Their Excellencies will be greeted by Alexandra Bugailiskis, Ambassador of Canada to Poland.
Warsaw Military Airport
Closed to Media—Official photographers only

Warsaw, Poland
Thursday, October 23

10 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony

The Governor General will be officially welcomed by President Bronislaw Komorowski. During the ceremony, the Governor General will review a military guard of honour and be greeted by a receiving line of resident ambassadors. Canadian troops currently training in Poland as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) reassurance measures will be present.
Courtyard, Presidential Palace
Open to Media

10:15 a.m.
Meeting with the Presidential Couple

Their Excellencies will meet with President Komorowski and First Lady Anna Komorowska to discuss the robust bilateral relations between Canada and Poland, based on historic, military and people-to-people ties.
White Room, Presidential Palace
Photo OP for Pool Media – at the beginning of the meeting

10:30 a.m.
Expanded Meeting with the President of the Republic of Poland

The Governor General and Canadian delegates will meet with the President and with representatives of the Polish government to discuss Canada-Poland relations.
Blue Room, Presidential Palace
Photo OP for pool media – At the beginning of the meeting

10:30 a.m.
Meeting Between Her Excellency and the First Lady of Poland and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Representatives

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston and First Lady Anna Komorowska will engage in a discussion with representatives of Polish NGOs to discuss important social issues affecting Poland today.
Winter Garden Room, Presidential Palace
Photo OP for pool media – At the beginning of the meeting

11:20 a.m.
Joint Media Availability

The Governor General and the President will deliver statements to media following their meeting.
Banner Room
Open to Media

11:45 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Their Excellencies will pay tribute to Polish soldiers and commemorate Canada-Poland joint military efforts by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This year marks the 

70th anniversary of the battles of Monte Cassino and Normandy, where Canadians and Poles fought side by side. Canadian troops currently training in Poland as part of the NATO reassurance measures will be present.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected at Piłsudski Square, the largest square of Warsaw, on top of the underground foundations of the Saxon Palace, which was destroyed in World War II.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Piłsudski Square
Open to Media

1:30 p.m.
Keynote Address to Students of the Warsaw School of Economics

His Excellency will deliver a keynote address on the potential for greater collaboration between Canada and Poland in the spheres of education and innovation, and encourage students to consider Canada as a study and research destination. 

The Warsaw School of Economics is the oldest university of economics and management in Poland. As it seeks to impart a European dimension to its academic activity, it combines an over century-long tradition with engagement in the contemporary world and the pursuit of future challenges. Over 10 000 students are enrolled at the school in bachelor and master degree programs; 1 400 are studying at the doctoral level and over 5 300 are completing other postgraduate courses. For more information, visit www.uczelnia.sgh.waw.pl/en.
Auditorium Aura IV, 1st Floor, Warsaw School of Economics
Open to Media

2:30 p.m.
Visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Accompanied by First Lady Anna Komorowska, Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will visit the new Museum of the History of Polish Jews to learn about the more than 1 000 years of Jewish history in Poland. They will be guided through the museum by Canadian professor Barbara Kirschenblatt-Gimblett, Program Director of the Core Exhibition.
Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Photo OP – Upon the arrival of Her Excellency, when she signs the museum’s guest book

2:40 p.m.
Round-table Discussion—Canada-Poland: Research and Development Collaboration Opportunities

The Governor General will deliver the opening remarks at a round-table discussion with rectors and senior officials of the main Warsaw-based universities. Opportunities for increased partnership and collaboration between Canadian and Polish institutions across a broad range of areas such as joint research, joint programming, academic exchange and student mobility will be addressed.
Warsaw School of Economics
Closed to Media

4 p.m.
Courtesy Meeting with the Speaker of the Sejm (Lower House of Parliament)

His Excellency and Canadian delegates will meet with Radosław Sikorski, Marshal of the Sejm, to discuss the bilateral and people-to-people ties as the foundation of Canada-Poland relations.
Room 161, 1st Floor, Chancellery of the Sejm
Photo OP - At the beginning of the meeting

7 p.m.
State Dinner given by the President of the Republic of Poland

Their Excellencies and Canadian delegates will take part in a dinner hosted by the President and First Lady, in honour of the Governor General’s State visit.
Column Hall, 1st Floor, Presidential Palace
Photo OP for pool media - Upon arrival of the guests
Open to Pool Media – During the toasts delivered by the Governor General and the President.

Warsaw, Poland - Friday, October 24

9:30 a.m.
Meeting with the Speaker of the Senate (Upper House of Parliament)

The Governor General and Canadian delegates will meet with Bogdan Borusewicz, Marshal of the Senate, to discuss bilateral Canada-Poland relations and people-to-people ties.
Room 190, 1st Floor, Chancellery of the Senate, Sejm Building
Photo OP – At the beginning of the meeting

10:30 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Two Rocks Memorialà

Their Excellencies will lay a wreath at the Two Rocks Memorial to honour Canadian and Polish soldiers who fought side by side during World War II. 

Located in front of the Canadian Embassy, the memorial consists of commemorative plaques on two stones—one from Canada and the other from Poland—standing side by side. The Canadian stone was drawn from the Barry’s Bay/Wilmo area of Ontario, where the first major settlement of Poles in Canada took place in the late 19th century. Canadian and Polish troops fought together at Monte Cassino, Falaise and in the Battle of Britain.
Two Rocks Memorial, Canadian Embassy
Open to Media 

1 p.m.
Polish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon

The Governor General will address key leaders of the business community in Poland on the main trends, challenges and opportunities within the Canada-Poland commercial relationship. He will also highlight the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and its impact on strengthening and diversifying bilateral trade, investment and innovation prospects.
Column Hall, Ground Floor, Primate Palace
Open to Media

1 p.m.
Event with Polish Orphans Charity at the Fryderyk Chopin Museum

Her Excellency will join First Lady Anna Komorowska to present scholarships to underprivileged Polish youth who have demonstrated exceptional talent in the arts. Following the special presentation, Her Excellence will briefly visit the museum.

The Polish Orphans Charity (POC) was founded in the year 2000 by Dr. Richarda Russ, a prominent Toronto dental surgeon, along with Bart Pasowski and Dr. Ted Kralka, to help improve the facilities and care for children living in Polish orphanages. For more information, visit www.polishorphans.org. 

The mission of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum is to cultivate the memory of the great composer and to make information about his life and work available to a wide audience. The purpose of the Museum is to collect and transfer knowledge, and deliver a high-quality artistic experience. For more information, visitwww.chopin.museum/en.
Fryderyk Chopin Museum
Open to Media

2:45 p.m.
Canada-Poland Innovation Panel Discussion

The Governor General will deliver opening remarks at this gathering of business, government and academic leaders on the subject of innovation co-operation as a key driver to bringing the Canada-Poland bilateral relationship forward.
Main Trade Floor, 2nd Floor, Warsaw Stock Exchange
Open to Media

Kraków, Poland
Saturday, October 25

10:30 a.m.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Kraków Rakowicki Cemetery

Their Excellencies and Canadian delegates will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony to honour fallen soldiers of WWII, including Canadian soldiers and pilots. 

At the end of the Second World War, the graves service of the British Army of the Rhine gathered together Commonwealth graves from all over Poland into three cemeteries, the Kraków Rakowicki Cemetery being the largest. Those buried here died while prisoners of war during the German occupation, most of the graves coming from the cemetery at the large camp at Lamsdorf, Stalag VIIIB (after 1943 known as Stalag 344), where there was a hospital of 450 beds used only for Commonwealth prisoners. Other graves brought into the cemetery were those of airmen, including Canadians, who lost their lives during the Warsaw supply drop and the bombing of factories, railways and other strategic objectives. For more information, visit www.cwgc.org.
Kraków Rakowicki Cemetery
Open to Media

11:10 a.m.
Visit to Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral

Their Excellencies and Canadian delegates will visit Wawel Castle, the historic seat of Polish kings whose collection of tapestries and other treasuries was evacuated from Poland in September 1939, and kept in Canada for safekeeping throughout WWII. At the end of their visit, Their Excellencies will lay a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the former President Lech Kaczyński, in Wawel Cathedral. 

The Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally important site in Poland. For centuries the residence of the kings of Poland and the symbol of Polish statehood, the Castle is now one of the country’s premier art museums. For more information, visit www.wawel.krakow.pl/en.

Wawel Cathedral holds a special place in the history of the Polish State due to the fact that it was the church of Polish kings for 400 years. Known as the cathedral of Pope John Paul II, most of his mementoes are on display at the Cathedral Museum, of which he was the initiator and patron. For more information, visit www.katedra-wawelska.pl/english.
Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral
Photo OP – Upon Their Excellencies’ arrival at the castle and at the end of the visit, during the wreath-laying on the tomb of former President Kaczyński.

2:15 p.m.
Energy Innovation Round Table

The Governor General will deliver brief opening remarks at this round-table discussion on energy R&D co-operation and related potential opportunities for the AGH, Canadian universities and innovative companies, particularly those in the energy sector, where Canada can play an important role in Poland’s energy security. 

AGH University of Science and Technology is a leading Polish university in modern technologies, and belongs to a group of prestigious international educational centres. It conducts teaching, fundamental and applied research and serves as an innovation incubator in such areas as energy, oil and gas, coal and environmental technologies.
AGH University of Science and Technology
Open to Media

2:30 p.m.
Visit to Life Farm (Centre for Autistic Young Adults)

Her Excellency will visit Life Farm, a centre of accommodation, work, therapy and rehabilitation for adults with autism from Kraków and its surrounding neighbourhoods. 

The Life Farm was developed by the Community of Hope Foundation, a non-governmental organization acting on behalf of people with autism since 1998. As part of this long-term project, residents and other adults with autism will be able to engage in vocational training to prepare them for the open job market, as well as participate in trade and handcraft workshops and work on an organic farm. Some of the clients also benefit from professional training and apprenticeships conducted outside the centre. For more information, visit www.farma.org.pl.
Life Farm, Więckowice
Open to Media

4 p.m.
Discussion with Members of the Polish Association of Canadian Studies Programs in Poland

The Governor General will take part in a discussion with the members of the Polish Association of Canadian Studies’ programs in Poland to exchange views on the challenges and strategic orientations of Canadian and Polish universities, to discuss potential opportunities for increased partnership and collaboration between Canadian and Polish institutions, and to learn about the key areas of interest being pursued in the field of Canadian studies in Poland.
Sanacka Room, 1st Floor, Jagiellonian University
Closed to Media

Oświęcim, Poland - Sunday, October 26

8:30
Visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial

Their Excellencies and Canadian delegates will visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial to pay tribute to the millions of Jews and Poles who perished at the concentration camp during WWII. Their Excellencies will sign the museum’s guest book, lay flowers at the Wall of Death and lay wreaths at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial plaques. 

The preserved, authentic Memorial consists of two parts of the former concentration camp: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. All over the world, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust. It was established by Germans in 1940, in the suburbs of Oświęcim, a Polish city that was annexed to the Third Reich by the Nazis. For more information, visit www.en.auschwitz.org/m/.
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial
Photo OP – During Their Excellencies’ entrance to the grounds, during the wreath-laying at the Wall of Death, the signing of the guest book and during the wreath-laying at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial plaques.

Visit to the Netherlands

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Sunday, October 26

1:55 p.m.
Arrival in Amsterdam

Their Excellencies will be greeted by James Lambert, Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands, and his spouse, Mrs. Alexandra Lambert-Echeverría, and senior representatives of the Dutch government.
Schiphol Airport
Photo OP – On the tarmac, upon Their Excellencies’ arrival

Schiebroek, the Netherlands - Monday, October 27

8:45
Visit to the Schiebroek-Zuid Project (Urban Farming Project)

Her Excellency will visit the Schiebroek-Zuid urban farming project located just north of Rotterdam. They will be guided by international urban farming expert Jan-Willem van der Schans, of LEI, the Agricultural Economic Institute based in The Hague. 

Commissioned by the Vestia housing corporation and the agricultural research network InnovatieNetwerk, this project aims to convert this disadvantaged neighborhood into a self-sufficient and sustainable area. It applies innovative energy solutions, various urban farming methods, social and economic programs, secondary currencies, and adaptive redevelopment strategies. For more information, visit www.except.nl/en/#.en.projects.56-sustainable-schiebroek-zuid.
Schiebroek-Zuid project, Krabbestraat 103, Rotterdam
Open to Media

The Hague, the Netherlands - Monday, October 27

9 a.m.
Round-table Discussion—Innovation as Cornerstone of Canada-Netherlands Relations

The Governor General will take part in a discussion featuring leading business, academic and public officials from the Netherlands and Canada under the theme of innovation as a means of moving relations forward. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will open the session and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven will also participate in the discussion.
Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada
Closed to Media 

11:30 a.m.
Audience with His Majesty the King of the Netherlands

The Governor General will meet with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander to discuss the strong diplomatic relations between Canada and the Netherlands.
Balcony Room, 1st Floor, Noordeinde Palace
Photo OP – Their Excellencies and Their Majesties in the Balcony Room

11:30 a.m.
Meeting with Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands

Her Excellency will meet with Her Majesty Queen Máxima to discuss common social issues of interest to Canada and the Netherlands.
Office of Her Majesty the Queen, Noordeinde Palace
Closed to Media

12:05 p.m.
Meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Governor General will meet with Prime Minister Mark Rutte to discuss issues of common interest to Canada and the Netherlands and the strong bilateral relationships between our two countries.
Office of the Prime Minister, 1st Floor, The Torentje (Little Tower), Binnenhof
Photo OP – Upon the arrival of the Governor General
Photo OP for Pool Media – at the beginning of the meeting

Bergen-op-Zoom, the Netherlands - Monday, October 27

3 p.m.
Inaugural Canadian Commemorative Ceremony of the Beginning of the Liberation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Their Excellencies and Canadian delegates will commemorate the valour of Canadian soldiers in the Battle of the Scheldt to mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Liberation of the Netherlands, and to inaugurate a Canadian Day of Memory in the Netherlands. The Governor General will deliver a speech and lay a wreath on this occasion. The event will take place in the presence of His Highness Prince Maurits of Orange Nassau, van Vollenhoven, the eldest son of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven; Ankie Broekers-Knol, President of the Senate; Anouchka van Miltenburg, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Minister of Finance.
Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery
Open to Media