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Louise Arbour named Canada's next governor general

newsMay 5, 2026532,143

Prime Minister Mark Carney named former Supreme Court justice and ex-United Nations human rights chief Louise Arbour as Canada’s next governor general. Arbour served on the Supreme Court of Canada, was United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and led prosecutions at the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. In 1999 she made history by signing the indictment of sitting head of state Slobodan Milošević for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws of war. Her appointment places a high-profile human rights advocate in the largely ceremonial viceregal office, signaling Canada’s emphasis on rule of law and moral leadership.

Mark Carney
@mark-carney.bsky.social

Congratulations to the Honourable Louise Arbour, who will serve as Canada’s 31st Governor General.

Prime Minister Carney walks down a hallway with the Governor General-designate, the Honourable Louise Arbour, in Ottawa, Ontario.
8532h ago
Dan 🇨🇦39

Great choice! Her Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women revolutionized federal corrections for women, implementing a women-centered approach focused on empowerment, dignity, and choice. It led to the closure of the Prison for Women & the creation of regional facilities & Indigenous healing lodges.

@GermanCucumber18

🇨🇦 + 🇪🇺 = 🤝 Really happy a guy like you is at the forefront of the new formation of a world order. The world might come out stronger without the US as the hegemon.

Sister Nip 🇨🇦16

She also has a stellar track record on human rights, serving as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was the chief prosecutor for war crimes in Rwanda and former the Yugoslavia. I remember her well.

Peter12

The definition of integrity. Great hire. 🇨🇦

Brad11

Soon to be “Right Honourable”!

The Opinionated Retiree and Nasty Part Owner of Canada 🇨🇦10

The Hon. Louise Arbour is an excellent choice to serve as Canada's 31st GG!

Hugh of Borg: Resistance is ELBOWS-UP: don't give Nazis an inch.8

We could do vastly worse and scant better. Arbour is the absolute best of us. We are in good hands.

Mark McCondach7

Serious choice for serious times.

Death Bed Moment7

What an accomplished and impressive person! Great choice for GG

NancyNS🇨🇦4

This is such an amazing appointment that it makes me wonder if our PM has plans to engage the GG in real work, not just the ceremonial stuff. Think about it... 🤔

Markwayne Carney ☭3

It could use a few more flags, sir

Phriktion3

Do NOT sell the airports to corporations and stop allowing Data Centres to be built Great job on the international stage though! Just please don’t fade back to centrist austerity based policies that do nothing hut hand money to business and make public services worse and more expensive

Glenn Caleval3

An unbelievably good appointment. Arbor showed genuine courage in prosecuting crimes against humanity and is a true embodiment of the Rule of Law in action. Parliamentary monarchy, as expressed in the Governor General's role, couldn't be better served, nor serve Canadians better. I'm a fan.

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