June 16, 2026 - On Monday June 8, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour was sworn in as Canada’s 31st Governor General at a historic ceremony in the Senate Chamber in Ottawa.
In her first speech, Arbour shared her vision for an open and ‘mature democracy’, saying Canada should avoid both polarization and forced agreement. She said that our differences encourage “critical thinking, creativity, and innovation,” adding, "It is through our differences that we will build our common future."
Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada.
The new Governor General's message deeply resonates, in particular, with the Canadian Filipino community, one of the country's fastest-growing and most civically engaged diasporas. Drawing on her personal journey from a homogeneous upbringing in Montreal to an international human rights career, Arbour – a legal and human rights scholar – acknowledged the value of the immigrant experience and the richness found when connecting with people of vastly different cultures. By utilizing the famous parable of the three stonemasons, she paid tribute to the contributions of everyday families, reminding Canadians of our multicultural country that daily work is a cornerstone in building the grand cathedral of our nation's future.
Uday Rana of Global News reported that the ceremony included a 21-gun salute from Parliament Hill, a performance of God Save the King by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Governor General’s Flag being raised on the Peace Tower. Catherine Tunney of CBC News noted a reading by Parliament’s poet laureate Chimwemwe Undi of her poem Reasons, along with musical performances by Sara Dufour singing La Reine by Les Cowboys Fringants and Tyler Shaw performing Like Me and You by Raffi.
Among those attending were Chief Justice Richard Wagner, House of Commons Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, and former Prime Ministers Joe Clark and Jean Chretien.
In Canada’s parliamentary democracy, the Governor General represents His Majesty the King and serves as Head of State. The Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government, recommends the appointment of the Governor General, and the King gives official approval. On May 5, 2026,
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that King Charles III had approved his recommendation to appoint Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour as the 31st Governor General of Canada.
Welcoming the historic appointment on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Carney praised the unique lifelong commitment that Arbour brings to Canada's highest constitutional office. "At every stage of her distinguished career, Her Excellency Louise Arbour has defended and promoted justice, dignity, and equality. As Canada’s 31st Governor General, she will carry forward this work – representing the best of Canada to Canadians and to the world."
Echoing the Prime Minister’s confidence, Her Excellency the Governor General said in her concluding remarks:
“As I take on my new role, I am mindful of the privilege given to me to go out and meet with Canadians across this country and to discover the wealth of ideas and ideals that inspire them. I am preparing myself to be surprised and to confront my own stereotypes and unconscious biases, … I can’t wait to learn and share with you my thoughts on the joy of discovering others. And when I am called upon to represent Canada beyond our borders or to welcome foreign dignitaries here at home, it is this diversity of Canadian voices that I intend to showcase.”
[Editor’ Note: For further analysis of Her Excellency’s vision and its impact on the Canadian Filipino community nationwide, see the authors’ accompanying Commentary featured elsewhere in this edition. His column examines Arbour’s commitment to diversity, her deep concerns for Canada’s youth, and the role of the Canadian Filipino diaspora in advancing Canada’s agenda.]
Editor's note: Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C., O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.D. M.Sc. is a retired lung specialist, professor of child health, and former MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, and cabinet minister. He graduated from the University of the Philippines, did postgraduate training and studies at the Children’s Hospitals of Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and spent a sabbatical year as Visiting Professor at the University of Arizona Medical Center. He is the author of articles and chapters in medical journals and textbooks and columnist for community newsmagazines. Widely lectured in Canada and abroad, he spoke in June 2003 on “The Global Threat of New Infectious Diseases” at the G-8 Science Ministers/Advisors Carnegie Group Meeting in Berlin. He volunteers on the Advisory Council of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and the Board of St. Paul’s College Foundation at the University of Manitoba.
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