Louise Arbour to Become Canada’s Next Governor General on June 8

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 8, 2026

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Canada is preparing to install former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour as the country’s next governor general on June 8, 2026, after King Charles III approved her appointment on the recommendation of Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Arbour will become Canada’s 31st governor general since Confederation and the first to be appointed by King Charles III since he ascended the throne in 2022. The governor general serves as the King’s representative in Canada, carrying out constitutional duties, representing the country at home and abroad, and serving as commander-in-chief.

Carney announced the appointment on May 5, presenting Arbour as a distinguished Canadian jurist and human rights figure with more than five decades of public service. Her career includes judicial appointments in Ontario and at the Supreme Court of Canada, followed by major international roles as chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Born in Montreal, Arbour is also known for her work as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her fluency in both English and French gives the appointment added political weight, particularly after criticism during Mary Simon’s tenure over French-language capacity in the viceregal office.

Arbour will succeed Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to serve as governor general. The June 8 installation ceremony is expected to include an address from Arbour outlining the themes she intends to emphasize during her mandate.