Michaëlle Jean’s snowball fight

Governor General Michaëlle Jean held a special ceremony on the grounds of Rideau Hall to unveil the Olympic torch to be used for the 2010 Vancouver Games.

There are three Olympic mascots. Miga, a young sea bear.

Sumi, an animal spirit.

And Quatchi, the young sasquatch.

Quatchi is Transport Minister John Baird’s favourite mascot.

The minister is seen here with a grade-three class from Leslie Park Public School, which is located his Ottawa riding.

The kids went snowshoeing.

The GG got in on a snowball fight at the end of the event.

The Olympic torch.

Later that day the NDP celebrated the Liberals 50th vote supporting the Conservatives.