Carney Appoints Former Supreme Court Judge Louise Arbour as Governor General

Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Louise Arbour, a former Supreme Court judge who held several top roles at the United Nations, as Canada’s next governor general.

The position makes Arbour the official representative in Canada of King Charles III, who is the country’s formal head of state. The governor general role is largely ceremonial, but plays an important role in Canada’s system of constitutional monarchy, signing bills into law and swearing in cabinet ministers and other key officials.