The Province of Prince Edward Island and the Association of Professional Engineers of Prince Edward Island (APEPEI) are proud to co-host a visit by one of Canada's recent heros, Ms. Julie Payette, from November 25 to November 26, 1999.
"Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Julie Payette received more than 100 visit requests this year," said Premier Pat Binns, who met Ms. Payette on a recent trade mission to Japan. "We are extremely fortunate to be chosen by the Canadian Space Agency as one of her select visit locations."
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Ms. Payette is the first Canadian to participate in an International Space Station assembly mission and to board the station. This will be Ms. Payette's first visit to Prince Edward Island and the third visit by a Canadian Space Agency Astronaut. Others have included Marc Garneau and Roberta Bondar. During Ms. Payette's time on the Island, she will be an inspirational speaker at a high school education assembly at the Confederation Centre of the Arts as well as guest of honour at the annual conference of APEPEI.
"We understand that one of Ms. Payette's biggest attractions in coming to PEI is the opportunity to explore one of the most recent engineering marvels on the planet, the Confederation Bridge," said Lloyd Cudmore, P. Eng., President, APEPEI. "As Ms. Payette recently utilised her professional engineering expertise in outer space, members of our association look forward to hearing about her observations of Prince Edward Island's connection to the mainland."
With the co-operation of Strait Crossing Bridge Ltd., an exclusive tour has been arranged for Ms. Payette, added Cudmore.
Islanders are welcome to attend the Gala Reception and Dinner hosted by APEPEI on Friday, November 26, 1999, beginning at 7:00 pm at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown. A limited number of tickets, at a cost of $50 per person, are available at the APEPEI office, 2nd Floor, 549 North River Road, Charlottetown.
For information about Julie Payette, visit the Canadian Space Agency Web site at www.space.gc.ca.
For more information, contact: Stephane Corbin, Manager of Public and Media Relations, Canadian Space Agency, (450) 926-4350.