The Latest: Louise Arbour being installed as Canada’s 31st Governor General

Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour will be installed as Canada’s 31st Governor General today, replacing Mary Simon.

The pomp and ceremony will include a 21-gun salute, a poetry reading and two musical performances by Canadian artists.

Here’s the latest on a historic day in Ottawa. All times are Eastern:


10:15 a.m.

The procession moves into the Senate chamber, where the dignitaries take their seats. The Canadian Armed Forces Central Band plays as guests arrive and the ceremony gets underway.

Also in the chamber are former prime minister Jean Chrétien and former governors general Adrienne Clarkson and David Johnston.

10:05 a.m.

Outgoing Gov. Gen. Mary Simon commissions the new Great Seal of Canada, which was approved by King Charles during his visit last year. The governor general’s website says the Great Seal “embodies the authority of the Crown.”

9:45 a.m.

Louise Arbour, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Simon and the other dignitaries are welcomed by the local Algonquin First Nations. They watch a drum circle by Eagle River Singers and two dancers from Pikwakanagan First Nation before walking inside the Senate of Canada building.

Inside, they are greeted by Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagne, House of Commons Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, Assembly Of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Métis National Council president Victoria Pruden and Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

9:39 a.m.

Louise Arbour — wearing sunglasses, a royal blue jacket and black pants, with her Order of Canada medal around her neck — arrives at the Senate of Canada building in a motorcade. She poses for a photo with Carney, Simon, Chief Justice Richard Wagner and others on the red carpet.

9:35 a.m.

Simon and her spouse, Whit Fraser, arrive at the Senate building in a black vehicle.

They are preceded by Chief Justice Wagner and his spouse, Catherine Mandeville.

Simon is wearing a bright green jacket and a colourful scarf, with matching blue streaks in her hair.

9:30 a.m.

Prime Minister Carney and his spouse Diana Fox Carney arrive at the Senate of Canada building to attend the installation ceremony.

They are greeted by the Usher of the Black Rod, the senior ceremonial and protocol officer for the Senate, and Indigenous leaders.

Four mounted RCMP officers stand guard at the arrivals area, which has a red carpet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2026. 

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