Carney says next governor general will be bilingual in English and French

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next governor general will speak both of the country’s official languages, committing to a bilingual appointment when the current term ends.

Carney responded “absolutely” when asked by host Patrick Masbourian whether he would ensure the next candidate is fluent in both English and French. According to the broadcaster, Carney did not provide details on potential candidates.

The current governor general, Mary Simon, speaks English and Inuktitut but has faced criticism for not being fluent in French. Her 2021 appointment drew more than 1,300 complaints to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, according to federal records at the time.

Governors general typically serve five-year terms. Simon, the first Indigenous person to hold the role as the King’s representative in Canada, is expected to complete her mandate in 2026, though no official timeline has been confirmed.

Carney declined to speculate on who might succeed Simon or when a selection process would begin. The prime minister is responsible for recommending a candidate to the monarch, who formally appoints the governor general.