Carney picks former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour to be governor general
Posted: Tue May 05, 2026 10:07 am
Francophone with long legal resumé to serve as the King's representative in Canada
I am very pleased to announce that, on my recommendation, His Majesty has approved the appointment of the Honourable Louise Arbour as the 31st Governor General of Canada. Across more than five decades, she gave voice to those whose dignity was denied, held institutions to account, and changed lives through her service.
As Canada’s next Governor General, Louise Arbour will represent the best of Canada to our citizens and to the world — a Canada clear-eyed about the challenges we face, and steadfast in the values we uphold.
Louise Arbour, 79, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most accomplished legal figures. Her career includes:
Serving as a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Acting as the UN’s chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia
Serving as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Leading the 2022 external review into sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces
Receiving 42 honorary doctorates and being named a Companion of the Order of Canada
I am very pleased to announce that, on my recommendation, His Majesty has approved the appointment of the Honourable Louise Arbour as the 31st Governor General of Canada. Across more than five decades, she gave voice to those whose dignity was denied, held institutions to account, and changed lives through her service.
As Canada’s next Governor General, Louise Arbour will represent the best of Canada to our citizens and to the world — a Canada clear-eyed about the challenges we face, and steadfast in the values we uphold.
Louise Arbour, 79, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most accomplished legal figures. Her career includes:
Serving as a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Acting as the UN’s chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia
Serving as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Leading the 2022 external review into sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces
Receiving 42 honorary doctorates and being named a Companion of the Order of Canada