Simon Calls Out the Critics
After years of fielding questions — and pointed jabs — about her French, outgoing Governor General Mary Simon is setting the record straight. In one of her final interviews before leaving Rideau Hall, Simon said the criticisms levelled against her over her French-language abilities were simply "unfair."
"I was able to connect with Canadians across the country," Simon said, adding that the language debate never truly got in the way of the work she was there to do.
It's a candid note to end on from a Governor General who made history from the moment she was appointed — the first Indigenous person to hold Canada's vice-regal position.
A Tenure That Sparked National Debate
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Simon in 2021, the announcement was met with both celebration and controversy. While many Canadians applauded the historic milestone — Simon is Inuk and brings decades of experience in Indigenous diplomacy and advocacy — critics, particularly in Quebec, raised concerns almost immediately about her limited proficiency in French.
Canada's Official Languages Act has long established French and English as the country's two official languages, and the Governor General's role involves representing the Crown to all Canadians. For some, fluency in both official languages is non-negotiable for the position.
But Simon and her supporters argued the framing was too narrow. Indigenous languages — of which Canada has dozens — are part of this country's linguistic fabric too. Simon speaks Inuktitut fluently, a language that long predates either French or English on Canadian soil.
The Louise Arbour Comparison
Simon's comments come as names like Louise Arbour have been floated for the role going forward — a signal, some observers note, that the bilingualism debate will likely shape who gets the nod next. Arbour, a former Supreme Court justice and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is a native French speaker.
Whether the next appointment returns to a more traditional bilingual profile remains to be seen. But Simon's tenure has at least forced a richer public conversation about which languages and identities Canada chooses to honour at its highest ceremonial levels.
Leaving a Legacy
Despite the noise, Simon's time at Rideau Hall wasn't defined by the French debate alone. She travelled extensively, met with Indigenous communities, and used her platform to amplify conversations around reconciliation. In a role that is largely ceremonial, she carved out space to speak meaningfully about Indigenous rights and Canada's ongoing obligations.
As she prepares to step down, Simon is leaving with her head held high — and a clear message for those who questioned whether she belonged in the role at all.
Source: CBC News Top Stories
