Mary Simon

Mary Jeannie May Simon (born August 21, 1947) is a Canadian civil servant, diplomat, and former broadcaster who served as the 30th governor general of Canada from 2021 to 2026. She is Inuk on her mother's side, making her the first Indigenous person to hold the office. Simon was born in Fort Severight (now Kangiqsualujjuaq), Quebec. She briefly worked as a producer and announcer for the CBC Northern Service in the 1970s before entering public service, serving on the board of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association and playing a key role in the Charlottetown Accord negotiations. She was Canada's first ambassador for circumpolar affairs from 1994 to 2004, as well as a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council. She also served as the Canadian ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2002. Simon was appointed Governor General following the resignation of Julie Payette in 2021, having been nominated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent Queen Elizabeth II. Her tenure included the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, a visit by Pope Francis to Canada, and the ascension of King Charles III following Elizabeth's death. In 2026, at the end of her five-year term as Governor General, she was succeeded by jurist Louise Arbour.