Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean arrived in Alberta on Thursday, her first official visit to the province since becoming the Queen's representative last year.

The first item on her itinerary was a visit to the Edmonton Garrison where she met privately with wounded soldiers and their families and friends.

Afterward, Jean visited with more than a dozen military wives at a family resource centre to talk about what it's like to have a spouse deployed overseas.

She says the visit is a new experience for her.

"This is my first time on a … military base and I'm really here to get a sense of your reality," Jean said.

The Governor General believes it's important to remind Canadians of the work being done by the country's soldiers.

"The Canadian Forces are not a faceless entity," Jean said. "They are women and men of great courage and I would really like Canadians to get that same sense of who you are and what you do."



Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean began her first
official visit to Alberta Thursday.

Thursday afternoon, Jean became the first governor general to speak in the Alberta Legislature.

She praised Albertans for being some of the most generous people in the country when it comes to making charitable donations and says that spirit should translate into social policy as well.

"Alberta's tremendous prosperity affords you the opportunity to make the most of this attitude of sharing – surely a prime benefit to be derived from such communal wealth is the ability it gives us to ensure that no one is left behind and that each among us has a voice." she said.

Jean says she also hopes more can be done to help aboriginal and young people.

Dinner with the premier

The Governor General will attend a dinner in Edmonton Thursday night hosted by Premier Ralph Klein.

On Friday Jean will visit Edmonton City Hall in the morning before travelling to the Calgary area where she will meet with students at Millarville Community School.

Students at the small school south of Calgary sent the Governor General 75 personal invitations to come see their archeological dig.

Last year, two Millarville teachers were presented with the Governor General's Award for Excellence in teaching Canadian History.

Jean is scheduled to make an appearance at Calgary City Hall before her trip winds up Saturday.