Carney expected to name new governor general

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to name a new governor general at a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday.

The governor general is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the prime minister and usually holds office for five years.

Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous governor general, will reach the five-year mark of her tenure in July.

Whit Fraser, the viceregal consort, told the Globe and Mail newspaper last month that he and Simon were apartment hunting.

Following controversy over Simon's struggles with French, Carney said the next viceregal representative would speak both official languages.

Simon speaks English and Inuktitut and has improved her French but she is not fluent, despite taking lessons.

Anthony Housefather, a Montreal Liberal MP, said the governor general, "as the symbol of the country, should be able to speak both of Canada's official languages. I think it’s a very important thing."

Added Ontario Liberal MP Dominique O'Rourke: "I think we're looking for somebody who can unite us, somebody who loves Canada, is going to help us celebrate our successes and approach our challenges with grace and courage."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2026.

By The Canadian Press | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.