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Lt. Governor visits Barriere

After the formal presentation, almost all of the students filed past the Lt. Governor, and had the opportunity to shake her hand
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The Honourable Judith Guichon

The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, stopped in the community of Barriere last Monday to greet area dignitaries and residents at a District luncheon, tour the North Thompson Agriplex, and spend time with area youngsters.

Her Honour’s first stop was at the Agriplex, where she noted she is no stranger to the facility, having attended the Provincial Winter Fair with family 4H participants over the past two years,  being from a strong ranching background, and still operating Guichon Ranch in the Nicola Valley.

“It’s amazing what the North Thompson Fall Fair and your community have done here,” the Lieutenant Governor told Mayor Humphreys, NTFFRA president Jill Hayward, and members of the Agriplex Committee, “It’s not even two years since you first embraced the idea, and look how far you’ve come. You’ve done a wonderful job.”

Next stop for the official visit was at the Ridge where the municipality hosted a luncheon for community members to meet Her Honour.

Introduced by Simpcw First Nation Chief Rita Matthew, the Lt. Governor spoke to those present about her background in agriculture, and told the Barriere attendees, “We in agriculture are so grateful that there is still a community that values agriculture.  It’s important that our communities remember that first dollar to be made has to be produced by sunshine.  Whether hay, or grass, or something else.  I tell people I’m harvesting sunshine on my ranch. I use the cows to harvest the grass, and they turn it into a wonderful product for human consumption.”

Her Honour spoke about her constitutional role.  “I’m here to keep our civil society more civil, and I have a role to inspire and connect British Columbians.  Like the folks in this town, who built the Agriplex and present the Fall Fair.  The best Fall Fair in a small community in the province.

“I get to meet First Nations, look after the constitutional framework, and keep our politicians honest.  And during my five year term I hope to get to every corner of the province to see and meet the people of small communities all over.

“It’s important to have healthy land and healthy communities; you folks here in Barriere are certainly a healthy community.”

The Lt. Governor made note of the Yellowhead 4H members who were in attendance, and who assisted in serving the lunch, saying, “4H is a wonderful program, it takes care of the animals and the community.”

Her Honour’s next stop in the community was to meet with students at Barriere Secondary.

Speaking to the students she said, “The environment and its protection is of the greatest importance to everyone.  Young people need to take an active part in working toward better protection of it - how we can live responsibly and not waste our resources.”

Her Honour also told her audience that they have to be active in their community,  take part in what is happening there, and not just complain about the government. But when the time comes, “go out and vote to do your part”.

 

After the formal presentation, almost all of the students filed past the Lt. Governor, and had the opportunity to shake her hand.