Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean is set to return home to Canada Wednesday after an emotional tour of her quake-ravaged homeland in Haiti.
Jean wrapped up her two-day visit to Haiti Tuesday night, before heading to the neighbouring Dominican Republic to thank that country for their help in the aftermath of the January earthquake.
Meeting with President Leonel Fernandez and members of his cabinet at the presidential palace in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, Jean offered Canada's thanks.
"Canada was very impressed by the work of the Dominican Republic in disaster efforts," Jean said.
Turning to Canada's foreign-policy objectives, Jean said the Dominican will be a strategic partner as Canada focuses on Latin America.
"The Dominican Republic is a key actor in the region," she said in Spanish. "The catastrophe that occurred in Haiti gives us the chance to reinforce the links between Canada and the Dominican Republic."
Earlier Wednesday, Jean met with a women's group. When told of the violence and health threats faced by women in the Dominican Republic, Jean advised the women to lobby men of authority to create awareness and change cultural attitudes toward women.
Before leaving Haiti, Jean met with local leaders in her family's hometown of Jacmel and described her "big dream" of a revitalized port in the wake of January's devastating earthquake.
She listened to concerns from civic leaders about a devastated local school system, a lack of electricity and frustration with the Haitian government's slow distribution of aid funds.
Jean then spoke about her high hopes for the small town in which her mother was born.
"I have this big dream," Jean said. "There is a refurbished port to get goods in and out… There are extraordinary beaches. There are kilometres of white sandy beaches… If we could get ships back in here, to see the port of Jacmel rediscover its pride, to work with all its vigour. It would be extraordinary."
After the meeting, Jean paid an emotional visit to a group of women, whom she encouraged to continue to work together to rebuild their community. Jean promised the women that Canada will "continue to support you."
The Governor General spoke after a long and tearful embrace with the daughter of a close friend who was one of more than 200,000 people who perished in the earthquake.
After the meeting, Jean and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, went on a walking tour of the town as onlookers rushed to get a glimpse of the woman who enjoys celebrity status in her native land.
The Governor General was determined to show courage as she toured Jacmel's narrow streets.
"It's not about my pain, it's not about me mourning," she said. "It's about how do we engage in the reconstruction phase of the Haitian people."
One of her main messages was about empowering women, and one that appeared to resonate.
"She represents progress," said Jocelyne Fimin, a local student. "She represents a dream come true."
Earlier, Jean met with Canadian soldiers and thanked them for their efforts in the earthquake-devastated country. She arrived by helicopter near a field hospital run by Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team. The hospital is being taken down, after more than 10,000 Haitians were treated there.
"You've made a lasting legacy. You made a difference," she told Canadian troops. "Thank you so much, I'm so proud of you."
About 500 Canadian military personnel were stationed in the town, but roughly half of them have returned home as part of a staggered withdrawal.
As a helicopter prepared to whisk the Governor General back to Port-au-Prince, Jean buried her face in her hands and wept, apparently overcome by the destruction of the quake.
With files from CTV's Richard Madan and the Canadian Press
