Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced Mary Simon as Canada's next Governor General (Image via CPAC)
Canada will have welcomed its first Indigenous governor general before the day concludes.
The installation ceremony for Governor-General Designate Mary Simon is scheduled for 12 p.m. AT at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa.
An Inuk born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, Quebec, Simon will be sworn in, followed by the presentation of Canadian honours and the Great Seal of Canada, as well as a public address.
As her first official act as governor-general, Simon will visit the National War Memorial, where she will inspect a Guard of Honour and lay flowers in honour of Canada’s fallen.
The appointment of Simon has received mixed emotions since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced her as Canada’s 30th governor-general on July 6th.
Her introduction came on the heels of the upsetting and tragic discoveries of unmarked graves occupied by students from former residential schools. The findings have led to calls for better recognition of the hardships Indigenous people have and continue to experience.
However, Simon’s appointment has also been scrutinized by some due to her inability to speak French. Fluent in English and Inuktitut, Simon has openly admitted that being educated in a federal day school deprived her of the opportunity to learn French as a Child, but has said she is committed to learning the language.
According to a statement issued by Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages, over 400 complaints have been filed due to Simon’s lack of fluency in one of Canada’s official languages.
“I will therefore be investigating the matter. My investigation will focus on the Privy Council Office in its advisory role on this appointment,” said Théberge
