As part of her first official visit to Toronto Tuesday, Canada’s Governor General met with local politicians and handed out awards to dozens of recipients for their bravery, work and volunteerism.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory both welcomed Governor General Julie Payette to the city by holding brief meetings in their offices at City Hall and Queen’s Park.

Red carpets were spread inside City Hall and outside the Legislative Building, where a 21-gun salute from the 4th Canadian Division/Joint Task Force Central honoured Payette on her first official visit.

A handful of spectators stood in the pouring rain outside the legislature to see her arrive Tuesday morning. Faye MacLachlan, a retired sergeant of the Governor General’s Horse Guards, had been planning to be there 45 minutes early just to see Payette.

“It might be one of the few times that I get to see her in Toronto,” said MacLachlan who had a hand-stitched horse brooch pinned to her blue coat. “It’s a continuation of the history of Canada and the representation of the royal house and monarchy in Canada.

“I think that’s very important and I wanted to be here to support it.”

At City Hall, a much larger crowd waited indoors for the Governor General. Numerous school children waved tiny flags as the Montreal-born astronaut, engineer and businesswoman entered the building with the mayor.

Davisville Junior Public School presented Payette and Tory with brightly coloured cards filled with little notes about what each child in the Grade 5 class wanted to be when they grew up. The card also featured a drawing of an astronaut as a tribute to Payette’s former career.