Louise Arbour installed as Canada's 31st Governor General

Louise Arbour was installed as Canada's Governor General Monday in a ceremony steeped in traditional protocol and pageantry. She now assumes the viceregal duties that span representing Canada's head of state — currently King Charles — to ceremonial functions and international relations.

Arbour, a former United Nations prosecutor and human rights advocate, joins a lineage of 30 governors general since Confederation. The role is largely ceremonial but carries constitutional weight: the Governor General swears in the prime minister and cabinet ministers, signs official documents, and has the power to summon, prorogue, and dissolve Parliament.

As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General also oversees military-related duties, hosts foreign heads of state, and presents honours including the Order of Canada. Though the Constitution sets no fixed term, governors general typically serve about five years.

The installation speech gives each governor general the chance to set the tone for their mandate. If the Governor General becomes absent or the position vacant, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada assumes duties temporarily until they return or until a successor is sworn in.

Arbour's appointment marks a new chapter in Canada's ceremonial leadership.