Louise Arbour -Wikimedia Commons. CC license
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has named former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour as Canada’s new governor general.
Arbour, a Montreal-based jurist with a long international legal career, replaces Mary Simon, whose five-year term is coming to an end.
Arbour has served on the Supreme Court of Canada and held prominent global roles, including chief prosecutor for international war crimes tribunals in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, as well as United Nations high commissioner for human rights.
As governor general, she will serve as the King’s representative in Canada and commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Carney had signalled a preference for a bilingual appointee, following criticism during Simon’s tenure over her inability to speak French. Arbour is fluently bilingual.
The appointment requires formal approval by King Charles, a step typically considered a formality following the prime minister’s recommendation.
Arbour’s selection brings a strong legal and international background to the largely ceremonial but constitutionally significant vice-regal role.
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