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In a ceremony steeped in tradition, celebrated jurist and human rights defender Louise Arbour was installed on Monday as Canada’s 31st Governor General.
After the King agreed to be represented by Arbour at a meeting in London last week, she was officially named the representative of Canada’s head of state and commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces during a relatively subdued but at times moving ceremony in the Senate chamber.
Arbour’s role is largely ceremonial and symbolic, although it includes some highly significant legal functions that could be deployed during a political crisis.
Arbour will serve as a non-partisan, national unifier and guardian of the constitutional order. Like past governors general, she will also use her tenure to highlight some issues that matter most to her.
Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour delivered her first address as commander-in-chief of Canada during her official installation ceremony on Monday. Appointed by King Charles on the advice of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Arbour takes the mantle as Canada’s 31st Governor General.
Her predecessor, Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to serve in the vice-regal role, made reconciliation a priority during her five years in office. Former governor general David Johnston pushed Canada to be “a more caring nation” through his emphasis on learning, philanthropy and volunteerism.
Arbour’s speech before the assembled dignitaries — a crowd that included Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana, NDP Leader Avi Lewis, past heads of state and prime ministers Joe Clark and Jean Chrétien, current and former cabinet ministers, Indigenous leaders and parliamentarians — revealed what’s top of mind for her as she assumes these new duties.
Louise Arbour is officially Canada’s 31st Governor General, after an installation ceremony in Ottawa. She used her first speech to call on Canadians to embrace their differences as they build a common future.
Arbour spoke of the potential risks and rewards of technological change as artificial intelligence becomes more ingrained in daily life.
With youth unemployment at its highest levels in decades, Arbour spoke about creating more opportunities for young people to thrive.
She also spoke about bolstering national pride and helping Canada live up to its potential in an era when protectionism and isolationism are in vogue.
As the past author of a scathing report on harassment in the Armed Forces she now leads, Arbour commended recent efforts to reform the military and bolster diversity in its ranks.
She vowed to help guard against “extreme polarization” but also “extreme consensus,” fostering a marketplace of ideas in our free society.
Canada is ‘pretty well’ perfect
One of the most poignant moments of Arbour’s installation speech was the passages that read like a love letter of sorts to Canada.
She said Canadians are privileged to live in a “mature democracy,” where the rule of law prevails, differences are respected and critical thinking, creativity and innovation thrive.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a document she interpreted from the Supreme Court bench for years, guarantees our “cherished individual rights” while allowing a “free and peaceful democracy” to flourish, she said.
Canadians are humorous and self-deprecating people who are generally team players, she said.
“We do not mistake humility for weakness, nor do we measure a person’s worth by the thickness of their wallet.
“We don’t think we are perfect, but we believe we are pretty well on the way there,” she said.
While acknowledging Canadians are grappling with a whole host of issues right now, Arbour said people shouldn’t lose sight of the individual roles they can play in building a better country.
“Each and every one of us, in our own way, is helping to shape what Canada will become. Our country is our shared work. So, too, is our influence on the world,” she said.
Young Canadians deserve better
In a nod to what could be a running theme of her vice-regal tenure, Arbour spoke passionately about helping the country’s young people live their best lives.
Young Canadians are “citizens of the world,” who are well-educated, climate conscious and digitally literate, she said.
But she suggested issues like affordability concerns, housing problems, a tepid job market and a post-COVID malaise have caused challenges for this next generation.
“Not all of them are able to reach their full potential as they face the headwinds of inequality. In that, we are failing them. It is our shared responsibility to correct course,” she said.
Arbour was accompanied by her two grandsons during the ceremony and later while inspecting the troops and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as she put youth front and centre throughout her big day.
Be mindful of AI’s potential and pitfalls
While praising Canada as a global leader in “ethical artificial intelligence,” Arbour said the country should be cautious about how it approaches a disruptive technology like this.
She said AI is “highly attractive” and can make our collective lives easier in some ways — but there are potential pitfalls.
In her first address as Governor General, Louise Arbour said Canadians must ensure that the convenience of new technologies like AI ‘doesn’t lead us to overlook the profound societal shifts that they are driving.’ She said upholding the ‘standards of integrity that Canadians expect’ is possible ‘if we remain vigilant.’
“The lines between knowledge and belief, between truth and falsehood, between facts and assumptions, are increasingly blurred. AI could be threatening not only the way we live and work, but also the control we exercise over our own destiny.
“Yet these challenges are not insurmountable,” she said, while urging political leaders to foster trust in our institutions to guard against bad actors.
Be open to new perspectives
While warning about the limits of new technologies, Arbour, who previously served as the UN’s special representative on migration, said Canadians should be open to newcomers and consider new perspectives.
She said she sees Canada as a “country that is not afraid to reinvent itself,” a virtue that should be celebrated.
“I say this with confidence: let us not slow our momentum toward progress out of fear of differences,” she said.
Louise Arbour, a lawyer, judge, war crimes prosecutor and human rights advocate, will serve as Canada’s 31st governor general.
She challenged Canadians to consider their unconscious biases.
Arbour recounted meeting a group of Chinese tourists in New York while working at the UN.
She asked one of them what they thought of the New World city and was struck by their answer — “so old” — thinking people from an ancient land with a long history would say the opposite. In fact, the tourists were likely from a futuristic Chinese city like Shenzhen or Shanghai, she said.
“Perspective is everything,” she said.
‘Profound honour’ to lead the Armed Forces
On that point, Arbour said she was proud to see an institution like the Canadian Armed Forces change with the times after grappling with some past cultural challenges she herself highlighted in a landmark report.
“I am very encouraged to see recruitment efforts bearing fruit, with more Canadians — from diverse genders, backgrounds and perspectives — choosing to serve,” she said.
“Building on a proud tradition of respect and honour, this continued modernization will, over time, strengthen effectiveness and morale. It will also enhance your capacity by better reflecting the country you are called to protect.”
While critical of the institution and its leadership in the past, Arbour said taking on her role as commander-in-chief is a “profound honour.”
As is serving all Canadians, she said.
“Together, we can harness our extraordinary resources, the breadth of our talent, our collective know-how and our boundless imagination.
“The world is watching us, not to copy everything we do, but to draw inspiration from a country striving to embrace the future with greater security, prosperity and dignity for all.”
