Ladies and gentlemen, I feel great pride in relating to you the wonderful welcome that was bestowed upon me by the librarians and library technicians of British Columbia. After my arrival in Vancouver, I was escorted on a breathtaking journey around town by bicycle with the delightful Devon, librarian at the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research. Upon my arrival in Vancouver, Devon also escorted me to the most fascinating Museum of Anthropology, filled as it is with artifacts marking the history of many of this province’s founding peoples. While I must confess to having felt some trepidation as we sat down to dinner that same night, I am relieved to report the meal did not include imported Scotia Lobster, Norman or otherwise.

Following my Vancouver adventures, the lovely Lady Megan of the Men's Health Initiative escorted me by carriage through the most aptly named Hell's gate Canyon. I passed a joyful respite in the lovely city of Prince George, hosted by the gracious Anne and Danell of the Northern Health Library, with whom I saw the confluence of the mighty Fraser and Nechako rivers. Sadly, Sir Alexander Mackenzie had missed the confluence due to sleeping on the job! **

Upon my return to the lower mainland, my northern adventures were followed by the pleasure of visiting the Fraser Valley region with Brooke, before returning for a send-off wee dram with members of the Board of the Health Libraries Association of British Columbia. All in all a lovely visit to this far-Western region of our great country.

**I trust dear friends, that I will see you all in Kingston next June, where my fellow citizens look forward to welcoming you to our nation’s original capital city.

Sir John A Macdonald