Mary Simon will officially become Canada’s governor general today.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, as his choice to be the Queen’s representative in Canada on July 6th.
The installation ceremony will begin at 11 this morning and will include a swearing-in, the presentation of Canadian honours and the Great Seal of Canada, as well as an address to Canadians by the new Governor General.
It will highlight themes important to the Governor General Designate, including reconciliation and youth. The installation will feature performances by a number of artists that reflect Canadian diversity and linguistic duality. It will also include Indigenous ceremonial and artistic elements.
Following the ceremony, Ms. Simon will visit the National War Memorial, where she will inspect a Guard of Honour and lay flowers in honour of Canada’s fallen, her first official act as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
Canadian Heritage says today’s installation ceremony is when Simon will become Canada’s 30th governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role.
She also enters Rideau Hall after her predecessor, former astronaut Julie Payette, resigned in January following an external review that found the office to have become a toxic workplace.
For more details on Mary Simon and today’s ceremony, please click here.
The 30th Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, will take office today. Don’t miss the installation ceremony live from Ottawa. #GG30
https://t.co/pLY6m5IbYu pic.twitter.com/v7fU5144JX
— The Crown in Canada (@TheCrownCa) July 26, 2021
The swearing-in of Ms. Mary Simon as #GG30 will take place on July 26 in Ottawa.
The installation will be held in the Senate of Canada. It will highlight themes important to Ms. Simon, including reconciliation and youth.
More details
— The Crown in Canada (@TheCrownCa) July 22, 2021
Whit and I are immensely proud and excited as we prepare for tomorrow’s installation ceremony. We hope you will tune in to experience this meaningful event alongside us. pic.twitter.com/xzcOhHLlaN
— Governor General of Canada (@GGCanada) July 25, 2021
