July 26, 2021
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon was installed as the 30th governor general of Canada during a historic ceremony that took place in the Senate Chamber.
As part of the installation ceremony, an Inuk elder lights the qulliq in the Senate Chamber. The traditional Inuit lamp represents light and warmth of family and community. pic.twitter.com/gA2MMJFnSv
— Governor General of Canada (@GGCanada) July 26, 2021
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, who had also assumed the role of administrator of the Government of Canada, administered three oaths:
- Oath of Allegiance
- Oath of Office of Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
- Oath of the Keeper of the Great Seal of Canada
Following the oaths, Ms. May Simon signed the Oath Registry which officially installed Mary May Simon as Canada's first Indigenous governor general.
During the ceremony, Governor General Mary May Simon was presented with four collars of office:
- Order of Canada
- Order of Military Merit
- Order of Merit of Police Forces
- Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
#GGSimon gives her first address to Canadians as governor general #GG30.
— Governor General of Canada (@GGCanada) July 26, 2021
“I am honoured, humbled and ready to be Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General.” pic.twitter.com/AMJw9B8bFs
The Installation ceremony concluded with a performance of "O Canada" by Marie-Josée Lord.
The installation ceremony was followed by a presentation of military honours and the inspection of a guard of honour at the National War Memorial, where Her Excellency placed a bouquet of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Canadians.
The new governor general then made her way to Rideau Hall, the official residence and workplace of the governor general in Ottawa, where family members were waiting to mark the event.
Governor General Designate Mary May Simon and her husband, Mr. Whit Grant Fraser, made their way from Rideau Hall to the Senate for the installation ceremony.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-106
Governor General Designate Mary May Simon’s installation ceremony was held at the Senate of Canada in downtown Ottawa.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-015
As part of the installation ceremony, an Inuk elder lit the qulliq in the Senate Chamber. The traditional Inuit lamp represents light and warmth of family and community.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-004
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and public health measures in place, only a small number of people attended the installation ceremony in person.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-032
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon delivered her first address as the new governor general.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-063
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and public health measures in place, only a small number of people attended the installation ceremony in person.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-038
Mary May Simon is the first Indigenous governor general in Canada since Confederation.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-040
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and public health measures in place, only a small number of people attended the installation ceremony in person.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-045
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and public health measures in place, only a small number of people attended the installation ceremony in person.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-048
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and public health measures in place, only a small number of people attended the installation ceremony in person.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-060
After the Installation ceremony, the viceregal couple made their way to the foyer to thank the performers.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-026
After the Installation ceremony, the viceregal couple made their way to the foyer to thank the performers.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-032
The installation ceremony was followed by a presentation of military honours and the inspection of a guard of honour at the National War Memorial, where Her Excellency placed a bouquet of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Canadians.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-054
The installation ceremony was followed by a presentation of military honours and the inspection of a guard of honour at the National War Memorial, where Her Excellency placed a bouquet of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Canadians.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-078
The installation ceremony was followed by a presentation of military honours and the inspection of a guard of honour at the National War Memorial, where Her Excellency placed a bouquet of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Canadians.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-098
The installation ceremony was followed by a presentation of military honours and the inspection of a guard of honour at the National War Memorial, where Her Excellency placed a bouquet of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Canadians.
- Reference Number: GG09-2021-0051-083
Their Excellencies arriving at their new home following the Installation ceremony.
- Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG08-2021-0051-001
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, conducted her first inspection of the guards outside of Rideau Hall.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-090
Governor General Mary May Simon was greeted by family and friends outside of Rideau Hall.
- Credit: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
- Reference Number: GG05-2021-0051-099