Louise Arbour was sworn in as the 31st [1] Governor General of Canada during a ceremony in Ottawa on June 8, 2026 [2].
The appointment marks a transition in the representation of the Crown in Canada. Arbour, a former Supreme Court justice, succeeds Mary Simon, who recently retired from the role [1].
The installation ceremony took place at 10 a.m. ET [3] within the Senate of Canada [1]. During the proceedings, Arbour took the official oath of office to formally assume her duties as the representative of the Crown [1].
Arbour entered the role at 79 [3] years of age. Her background in high-level jurisprudence and international law precedes this appointment to the vice-regal position [1].
Reports regarding the ceremony's speakers contained conflicting information. One source said Prime Minister Mark Carney would speak at the event, while another said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the speaker [4, 5].
The event was attended by government officials and dignitaries gathered in the Senate chamber to witness the transition of power [1].
“Louise Arbour was sworn in as the 31st Governor General of Canada”
The appointment of Louise Arbour brings a career jurist into a role that is primarily ceremonial but carries significant constitutional weight. By selecting a former Supreme Court justice, the Canadian government emphasizes legal expertise and institutional stability in the office of the Governor General.
