December 31, 1998
(Executive Council)

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Governor General Romeo LeBlanc and Lieutenant-Governor Arthur Maxwell House will co-host the 1999 New Year's Levee in St. John's. The Governor General and Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc, the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Mary House will be joined by Premier Brian Tobin and Mrs. Jodean Tobin in receiving members of the public.

The Levee will be held at the main lobby of the Confederation Building, East Block on Friday, January 1.

The order of events is:

2:00 p.m.	Lieutenant-Governor Arthur Maxwell House and Mrs. Mary House arrive at Confederation Building and are greeted by Premier Brian Tobin and Mrs. Jodean Tobin.
2:05 p.m.	Governor General Romeo LeBlanc and Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc arrive at Confederation Building and are greeted by Premier Brian Tobin and Mrs. Jodean Tobin.
2:25 p.m.	The Governor General receives the Vice-Regal salute.
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.	New Year's Day Levee receiving line

Entertainment will be provided by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band, the Gower United Church Handbell Choir, and Camerata of the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir.

Special exhibits highlighting some Newfoundland recipients of the Order of Canada, Decorations for Bravery, and the Governor General`s Caring Canadian Award for voluntarism will also be on display.

By tradition, Governors General and Lieutenant Governors receive members of the public early in the New Year. The first recorded Levee in Canada took place in 1646 under Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of New France from 1636 to 1648. The custom was adopted by English Governors and has continued right up to the present day.

Contact: Doris Walsh, Communications, (709) 729-3812, 778-0033.

1998 12 31                    10:50 a.m.