Canada’s female governor generals 

A look at the five women who have held one of the highest positions in Canadian government.

The title of governor general, also known as viceroy or vicereine for women, refers to the Canadian representative of the English monarchy. The English monarch chose a representative for themselves in Canada up until 1931. After 1931, the Canadian Prime Minister began recommending a list of names for the position. It wasn’t until 1952, when Vincent Massey became governor general, that the position was ever filled by someone born in Canada. Since then, every governor general has been Canadian. They come from various backgrounds, like education, journalism and law. 

After the first female governor general was appointed in 1984, four others have held the position.  

Jeanne Sauvé (May 14, 1984 to Jan. 28, 1990) 

Jeanne Sauvé became the first female governor general in 1984. She was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Born in Saskatchewan and as a member of the Fransaskois community, she spoke both English and French. In Sauvé’s time, the governor general was able to authorize new coats of arms, flags, badges and other emblems.  

Sauvé’s mandate was always youth, peace and national unity. Fond of sports, she established some awards: the Jeanne Sauvé Trophy for the World Women’s Field Hockey Championship, the Jeanne Sauvé Cup (now Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup) for Canadian ringette champions and the Jeanne Sauvé Sportsmanship Award to recognize athletes who set great examples of sportsmanship and non-violence in sports.  

Sauvé visited places like Italy, Thailand, Uruguay and Brazil. She also received visits from esteemed visitors such as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Andrew, and some presidents from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iceland and the Philippines. 

Sauvé has been vested with the King’s (then Queen’s) Privy Council for Canada or simply Privy Council (PC), the Order of Canada (CC), the Order of Military Merit (CMM), and the Canadian Forces’ Decoration (CD). PC is given to those who are consultants to Canada’s monarch. CC is the second highest honour that a Canadian can get as a result of lifelong contributions to the country (non-Canadians also qualify for this award). CMM recognizes members of the Canadian Forces who have been dedicated and devoted to the call of duty and beyond. The governor general may be appointed as an extraordinary commander, officer, or member. The CD is awarded to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service while certain conditions apply. It is given to the governor general of Canada upon their appointment. 

Adrienne Clarkson (Oct. 7, 1999 to Sept. 27, 2005) 

Adrienne Clarkson (née Poy) became the first visible minority in the governor general position. She was born in Hong Kong in 1939 and came to Canada when her parents were fleeing conflict. She was raised in Ottawa. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Clarkson governor general on the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

Clarkson was the first in the position without a military or political background. 

During her time as governor general, she established the governor general’s Northern Medal. She has been credited with travelling throughout Canada, perhaps more than any other governor general.  

Clarkson has been vested with PC, CC, and CMM. She also received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (COM), which is given to someone who provides great service in areas of great responsibility, nationally or internationally. 

Clarkson has been given honorary memberships as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

Michaëlle Jean (Sept. 27, 2005 to Sept. 30, 2010) 

Michaëlle Jean became governor general after Adrienne Clarkson. She was the first Black person in this position. Jean was born in Haiti in 1957. Her father fled to Canada in 1967 to avoid torture in Haiti. Jean, Michaëlle’s mother joined him the next year along with Michaëlle’s sister. Jean grew up in Thetford Mines, Québec. Jean’s mother moved to Montréal with her daughters as her husband got violent. 

On the advice of Prime Minister Paul Martin, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Jean as governor general in 2005. While in office, Jean advanced human rights, gave support to the arts (especially youth involvement in them) and brought attention to the problems that citizens faced in northern Canada and promoted Canada, particularly in African countries and Haiti. 

Jean is fluent in five languages: English, Haitian Creole, French, Spanish, and Italian. She can also read Portuguese. While in office, Jean had to defend herself when she was accused of being a separationist (someone who wants Québec to separate from the rest of Canada). In response to these accusations, Jean said that she would not have taken the position of governor general if she wasn’t fully committed to Canada. She also renounced her French citizenship (gained through marrying her husband) so that she could fill the role of the governor general. 

Jean has been vested with PC, CC, CMM, COM, and CD. She is also an honorary member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

Julie Payette (Oct. 2, 2017 to Jan. 22, 2021) 

Payette is the first former astronaut to serve as governor general. On the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Queen Elizabeth II appointed her. Payette is from Québec. She speaks English and French fluently and knows some Spanish, Italian, Russian and German. She’s also an engineer and scientist who was the first Canadian to board the International Space Station. She served as the chief astronaut at the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007. 

As governor general, Payette focused on issues like migration, poverty and climate change.

Payette has been vested with CC, CMM, COM, and CD. She also received the Order of Québec (CQ, Knight level), which is given to both Quebecers/Québécois and non-Quebecers/Québécois who have prominent achievements in any field. She is a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. 

Payette resigned when the Privy Council found she created a hostile work environment at Rideau Hall. Richard Wagner, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, held the position until her replacement was found. 

Mary Simon (Inuktitut: Ningiukudluk) (July 26, 2021 to Present) 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Queen Elizabeth II appointed Simon as our current governor general. She is the first Indigenous governor general and replaced Julie Payette after her resignation. She was reportedly in the running for governor general in 2010 when David Johnston was eventually appointed.

Simon faced criticism early on for not being able to speak French. Governor generals traditionally speak both English and French. She has said that she would learn the language. For now, she is bilingual, as she speaks English and Inuktitut.  

Simon has done quite a lot in her three years as governor general. She visited Germany (the first state visit from Canada in over 20 years). She met with Queen Elizabeth II after her appointment (Simon wasn’t able to meet with the Queen because of COVID-19). She met with then Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla. She released a statement following Pope Francis’ April 2022 apology to Indigenous people and later met with him in July of the same year. With Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Simon became the second governor general to serve under two monarchs (the first was Lord Tweedsmuir, John Buchan, in 1936). She signed the proclamation of the accession of King Charles III at Rideau Hall.  She has been vested with CC, CMM, COM, OQ (Order of Quebec, Officer level), and CD.