The Ambassador presented his Credentials [fr]

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, received the credentials of His Excellency Philippe Zeller
Ambassador-designate of the French Republic, during a ceremony
on Monday, September 19, 2011, at the Citadelle of Québec.

L’ambassadeur Phillipe Zeller et le gouverneur général du Canada David Johnston

Photographe : Sgt Ron Duchesne - Rideau Hall

... Ambassador Zeller, I trust that your time in Canada will be an interesting and stimulating chapter in your notable foreign-service career. Among other subjects, I look forward to discussing your report on international adoption, as well as our progress in encouraging youth mobility between Canada and France. I wish you and your family the very best as you set out to discover our wonderful country.

The City of Québec is indeed a wonderful place to begin, as it reminds us of the deep historical ties between Canada and the Republic of France. Today, our collaboration continues through mutual participation in organizations such as the G8, G20, NATO and La Francophonie. Together, our peoples are working hard to deepen the economic and cultural ties between our two nations, and to support democracy, health and stability in countries such as Libya, Haiti and Afghanistan...

 Read His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada’s speech

About credentials. Upon their arrival in Canada, and before they can carry out their duties as heads of mission, new ambassadors, as well as new high commissioners of countries for which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is not head of State, must be officially welcomed by the governor general of Canada. High commissioners representing countries for which The Queen is the head of State are introduced to the prime minister of Canada.

Credentials are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State as their official representative. Currently, there are more than 130 heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Canada. (Source : The Governeur Genral of Canada web site).