UMVA has learned that Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous governor general, has departed her role at Rideau Hall, leaving behind a complex and tumultuous tenure.
Simon's exit was marked by the installation of Louise Arbour, a Montreal-born former Supreme Court Jurist, as Canada's 31st head of state. Arbour's appointment comes at a time when the viceregal role is under scrutiny, with many questioning the spending habits and language abilities of the governor general.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Simon's tenure was notable for her historic appointment as Canada's first Indigenous governor general, but was also marred by controversy. Despite being born and raised in Kuujjuaq in the Quebec Arctic, Simon's lack of French knowledge sparked a firestorm from French Canada, with over 1,300 complaints filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Simon's language skills, or lack thereof, became a recurring theme throughout her tenure. Despite promising to learn French, she reportedly spoke little of the language during a 2024 official visit to Quebec City, prompting her handlers to cut her visit short to avoid further embarrassment.
The controversy surrounding Simon's spending habits also raised eyebrows. A recent story revealed that her eight-day tour of the Middle East in 2022 came with a $100,000 in-flight catering bill, sparking questions about the amount of taxpayers' money spent on feeding dignitaries during official travel. The extravagant menu included beef wellington, beef carpaccio, and tens of thousands of dollars spent on garnishes and orange juice.
Simon's departure has also brought attention to the role's $130,000 clothing allowance and the nearly $400,000 annual salary that comes with the job. As she departed, Simon expressed her gratitude to Canadians, stating that she had hoped to serve as a voice of "compassion and respect" and promote reconciliation among all peoples.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Simon's legacy will be complex, with many Indigenous leaders viewing her appointment as a significant step towards reconciliation, while others will remember her tumultuous tenure marked by controversy and criticism.
Louise Arbour, the new governor general, has promised to do better, vowing to bring a higher level of linguistic proficiency and cultural sensitivity to the role. As she begins her tenure, Canadians will be watching closely to see if she can restore the dignity and respect that the position demands.
