Carney announces former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour as new governor general

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney announced former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour as Canada’s next governor general on Tuesday.

Arbour served on the Supreme Court from 1999 to 2004, before taking on several roles at the United Nations, including high commissioner for human rights from 2004 to 2008. Arbour was also chosen to conduct a review of the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence in 2021, in response to reports of sexual harassment in Canada’s military.

“I’m very mindful of the legacy I’m stepping into,” said Arbour, a press conference with Carney to announce her appointment on Tuesday.

Asked if she would seek to build bridges by reaching out to her previous critics, including a former Conservative cabinet minister , Arbour said she wouldn’t just talk to people in “cheerleading mode” and would “reach out to anyone who wishes to engage with me.”

Carney said he had submitted his recommendation to King Charles, who approved the appointment. The new governor general will become his representative in Canada.

“The Crown is a continuous thread through our constitutional life,” said Carney, during the announcement.

Asked what role the governor general has in a moment when two provinces, Alberta and Quebec, are considering separatist referendums, Arbour said she hoped to spark dialogue among Canadians “in a spirit of respect and moving the country forward, in an ambitious, united way.”

The prime minister had confirmed that the nominee would be able to speak French and English, after the current Governor General Mary Simon faced controversy for her inability to speak French.

On Tuesday, Carney said that Simon “has been a steadfast representative of Canada and our institutions, at home and around the world.”

Carney told Radio-Canada he was “absolutely” committed to nominating a new governor general who is bilingual in English and French. Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller also told reporters on Monday of the new appointee: “They’ll be bilingual.”

More details to follow…

National Post
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