Inuit leader Mary Simon will be Canada’s next Governor General, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today.
From Nunavik, in northern Quebec, Simon has been an advocate for Inuit rights and culture, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. She has also worked alongside the federal government on several files over many years, including as an Arctic ambassador. Now, she will take on the role of the Queen’s representative in Canada.
Trudeau made the announcement at the Canadian Museum of History across the river from Parliament Hill.
While the position is largely ceremonial, Simon will also become the top commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, and can play a crucial role in constitutional matters and within minority governments when it comes to questions of confidence.
Canadians will also see the new appointee granting numerous awards and medals of honour, reading the speech from the throne, and swearing-in cabinet members.
Perhaps most notably, given the rampant speculation that a summer or fall election call is likely, the governor general has the power to dissolve Parliament and draw up the writs for a general election, on the advice of the prime minister.
Canada has been without an official governor general since late January, when Julie Payette resigned from the role.
Stay tuned to hear this historical event later on in our AtjiKangitut program for today.