PM celebrates Gov. Gen. Mary Simon’s ‘steadfast’ leadership

Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to Mary Simon’s “steadfast” leadership as governor general, while announcing the appointment of her successor.

Louise Arbour will be Canada’s next governor general, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced. (Photo courtesy of the United Nations Office of the Human Rights Commissioner)

King Charles has approved as his Canadian representative Louise Arbour, a former Supreme Court justice and lawyer who has prosecuted war crimes for the United Nations, Carney announced Tuesday.

After speaking to reporters in Ottawa about Arbour’s long and successful career, Carney thanked Simon, who has been governor general since 2021.

“As the first Indigenous person to serve in this role, she’s carried forward a lifetime of advocacy for Inuit rights, for Indigenous self-determination and for the preservation of our Indigenous languages, cultures and identities,” he said in a press conference that was streamed on CPAC’s website.

Switching to French, he added that Simon advocated for reconciliation, education and mental health awareness during her tenure.

“To Her Excellency Gov. Gen. Simon, to His Excellency Whit Fraser, to your family: thank you for your extraordinary service to Canada,” Carney concluded.

Arbour echoed his sentiment.

“She represented Canadians with dignity and compassion,” Arbour said in French.

Her appointment means Simon’s time as the king’s official representative in Canada is set to come to an end after nearly five years.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau unveiled Simon, a longtime Nunavik leader, as Canada’s 30th governor general on July 6, 2021. She was sworn in 20 days later.

Her time as governor general began six months after her predecessor Julie Payette resigned in disgrace and while Canadians were reckoning with the discoveries of unmarked graves on former residential school grounds.

Born in Kangiqsualujjuaq and raised in Kuujjuaq, Simon was a broadcaster for CBC North and one-time president of both Makivvik and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. She also served as a diplomat, helped create the Arctic Council and founded the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation.

Inuit culture was often at the centre of her work as governor general.

She spoke Inuktitut at public events and professed the importance of “ajuinnata,” which means to never give up.

In her position, Simon visited the North, including to three Nunavik communities in 2022 and to Iqaluit for Nunavut’s 25th birthday in 2024 and Nunavut Day in 2025.

Now 78, Simon offered her congratulations to Arbour on her appointment.

“I had the pleasure of speaking with her, and we look forward to all that she will bring to Canada,” Simon said on social media.

In response to a reporter’s question, Arbour said she would assume her duties “in the next few weeks.”