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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayThe prime minister is set to name Canada’s next governor general on Tuesday, CBC News has learned.
Sources tell CBC the appointee will be fully bilingual in English and French
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The prime minister is set to name Canada’s next governor general on Tuesday, CBC News has learned.
Multiple sources said Mark Carney’s selection is expected to be fully bilingual in English and French. Two sources said the appointee is a woman.
The formal announcement of a new governor general is made after the King officially approves the prime minister's recommendation.
This will be Carney's most high-profile selection since taking office last year.
The current governor general, Mary Simon, is nearing the end of five years in the vice-regal role at Rideau Hall.
Simon made history as the country’s first Indigenous governor general.
Her husband Whit Fraser told the Globe and Mail last month they were planning their exit from Rideau Hall.
Simon, who is Inuk, has spent her time in office focusing on reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous people, advocating for de-stigmatizing mental health, diversity and nature.
During her mandate, Simon has faced criticism for her lack of proficiency in French. She speaks English and Inuktitut, but despite taking French lessons hasn’t become fluent in that language.
The government paid more than $52,000 for 324 hours of French classes as of last year, Simon's office said in response to questions by the Bloc Québécois.
By the end of 2021, the commissioner of official languages received more than 1,300 official complaints related to Simon’s appointment that year. Then commissioner Raymond Théberge ruled in 2022 that Simon's nomination process didn’t violate federal legislation concerning bilingualism.
Carney told Radio-Canada last month the next governor general would "absolutely" be fluently bilingual in English and French.
Terms have varied in length
Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson defended Simon, but said it's important for the next King's representative in Canada to speak French.
"I know there were some controversies with respect to French over the course of the past while, although I will say for Gov. Gen. Simon she spoke an Indigenous language, which I think is fair game in Canada," Wilkinson said.
"But I think the next one obviously you want to make sure that folks in Quebec have comfort, that francophones are part of the fabric of Canada."
Governors general usually hold office for five years, but the term can last longer or be cut short.
David Johnston served for seven years, while Julie Payette resigned during her third year in office following an independent workplace review that found she presided over a toxic environment at Rideau Hall.
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau brought back an advisory committee on vice-regal appointments to recommend Simon's appointment, after facing criticism for failing to use the committee during Payette's appointment.
The Prime Minister's Office has not responded to a question from CBC News about whether Carney used the advisory committee to make his recommendation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Burke is a senior reporter with the CBC's Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa. She was recognized with the Charles Lynch Award and was a finalist for the Michener Award for her exclusive reporting on the toxic workplace at Rideau Hall. She has also uncovered allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian military. You can reach her confidentially by email: [email protected]
With files from the Canadian Press
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