Louise Arbour becomes Canada's new Governor General
Arbour will be sworn in Monday and take over viceregal duties including representing the Crown, overseeing military affairs, and presenting national honours.
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Louise Arbour will be installed as Canada's Governor General in a ceremony Monday, taking over from Mary Simon and assuming a role steeped in constitutional tradition and symbolic weight.
The Governor General represents King Charles in Canada and carries duties that span from swearing in the prime minister and cabinet ministers to signing official documents and dissolving Parliament. The role also includes military responsibilities — visiting bases, attending memorial services, approving new military badges.
Arbitrarily called for every five years, the post is appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister. Since Vincent Massey became the first Canadian to hold the office in 1952, all governors general have been Canadian citizens.
During transition, the governor general designate is briefed by government members and can shape their installation speech to set the tone for their mandate.
If a Governor General is absent or the position becomes vacant, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada assumes the duties temporarily.