Incoming governor general Mary Simon has first audience with Queen
Posted Jul 23, 2021 7:38 am.
Last Updated Jul 23, 2021 10:59 am.
OTTAWA — Canada’s incoming governor general has had her first audience with the Queen.
Mary Simon will be sworn in as the representative of the sovereign in Canada on Monday.
‘So, you’re taking over a very important job.’
???? Yesterday The Queen spoke to Ms. Mary Simon who has recently been appointed as the next @GGCanada . pic.twitter.com/HJY27Y3fSc
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 23, 2021
The Queen and Simon met virtually on Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the meeting, the Queen invested Simon as an extraordinary companion of the Order of Canada, an extraordinary commander of the Order of Military Merit and a commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
Simon, who was born in the Nunavik village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, will be Canada’s first Indigenous governor general.
Ms. Simon is the 13th Governor General of Canada to be appointed during Her Majesty’s 69 year reign.
Ms. Simon has attained national and international recognition for her work on Arctic and Indigenous issues, and as an advocate for Inuit rights and culture. pic.twitter.com/KLHzlHF84Y
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 23, 2021
The post has been empty since January, when former governor general Julie Payette abruptly resigned.
An external review found the former astronaut had presided over a toxic work environment at the governor general’s residence, Rideau Hall.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2021.
The Canadian Press
