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Lieutenant Governor visits Warfield elementary school

Stops in Fruitvale, Montrose and Salmo planned on Friday
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B.C. Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon visited Webster Elementary School in Warfield on Wednesday morning to meet students and answers questions on her role. The Lieutenant Governor is touring the West Kootenay region this week.

Students at Webster Elementary School in Warfield were treated to a special visit from Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon on Wednesday morning.

Just one stop on her week-long tour of the Columbia Basin, Her Honour started the visit by talking to the children about what she does everyday in the position of Lieutenant Governor for British Columbia.

“I get to visit wonderful schools like this one,” she said, adding that there are some more official aspects to the job.

“First and foremost, I go to the legislature and make sure that the province always has a government in place. I also read the Speech from the Throne, but that is a bit dull isn't it? I swear in premier and the cabinet.”

There is much more Guichon does in her role as Lieutenant Governor, but it was time for questions from the audience.

Students raised their hands to pose their questions to the Queen's representative in B.C. Some were educational, while others were a bit on the lighter side.

“Can you quit?” asked a student.

After a small laugh, Guichon replied that she had never thought about that before

“Maybe if I get really sick, or I don't want to do the job anymore.” she said. “But I am not really sure.”

Another student asked how someone becomes the Lieutenant Governor in the first place.

Guichon says anyone who wants to be in her position in the future needs to get involved in their community.

“You have to go to lots of meetings and people will get to know you, especially if you volunteer and are active in your community,” she said, adding that on the technical side of things, it isn't a job that you can just submit a resume for.

“Both sides of the legislature put together a list of three names then that list gets sent to Ottawa and Ottawa decides. It is a five-year appointment and I am two-and-a-half years in.”

Guichon was impressed with the extent of the students' knowledge, getting the correct answer to plenty of the questions she asked. For example, when asked who the last Lieutenant Governor for B.C. was, one student had the answer right away – Steven Point, the first Aboriginal person to hold the position.

“These kids know it all,” Guichon commented. “I have been to high schools and schools all over and I don't think that anybody knew the answer to that question.”

The Lieutenant Governor also works with different projects designed to empower youth and preserve the environment, and represents the Queen at formal functions and events.

During the visit, there was also a few gifts given to Her Honour, including an original painting and moccasins made by a local Metis woman.

Guichon returned the favour, donating a small parcel of books to Webster Elementary's library.

The Lieutenant Governor arrived in the region Tuesday visiting schools in Rossland, the Warfield Hall and the Trail Seniors Centre.

Following her stop at Webster on Wednesday, she headed to Castlegar for the remainder of the day.

Today her tour takes her to New Denver, Kaslo and Nelson.

On Friday, Her Honour will be visiting Salmo for an assembly at Salmo Secondary School at 12:30 p.m., followed by a tea with seniors at Salmo Valley Estates at 1:20 p.m.. Next, she will be heading to Fruitvale for a seniors' tea at 2:40 p.m. and a community reception at the Fruitvale Memorial Hall, starting at 3:55 p.m.

For her last stop in the Columbia Basin, she will be in Montrose at the community hall for a public open house from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All residents are welcome to attend.