Mark Carney expected to name new governor general on Tuesday

4 days ago 7

PM will likely look for candidate who is fluent in French following Mary Simon's struggles with language

Published May 04, 2026 • 1 minute read

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to name the successor to Governor General Mary Simon on Tuesday.

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The Governor General is appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister and holds office for five years. Simon, the first Indigenous governor general, reaches the five-year mark of her tenure in July. Viceregal consort Whit Fraser told The Globe and Mail last month that he and Simon were apartment hunting.

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Simon’s struggles with French caused controversy during her tenure, so Carney will likely pick a fluently bilingual candidate. Simon speaks English and Inuktitut, but only some French.

French-speaking successor ‘very important’

Anthony Housefather, a Montreal Liberal MP, said the Governor General, “as the symbol of the country, should be able to speak both of Canada’s official languages. I think it’s a very important thing.”

Added Ontario Liberal MP Dominique O’Rourke: “I think we’re looking for somebody who can unite us, somebody who loves Canada, is going to help us celebrate our successes and approach our challenges with grace and courage.”

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The Governor General is the King’s representative in Canada. They perform constitutional and ceremonial duties as the head of state. The Governor General grants royal assent to legislation, summons or dissolves Parliament, swears in the prime minister and cabinet and serves as commander-in-chief of Canada’s armed forces.

The role is non-partisan. The Governor General, unlike the prime minister, doesn’t hold the power to govern or make policy, though they do hold reserve powers such as the ability to dissolve Parliament or dismiss the prime minister, though such cases are extreme and rare.

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