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A list of Canada’s governors general since Confederation

A list of Canada's governors general since Confederation | iNFOnews.ca
The Governor General's flag flies on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour will be sworn in as Canada’s 31st governor general today. Here’s a list of all who have come before her.

Mary Simon: 2021-2026, Inuit leader

Julie Payette: 2017-2021

David Johnston: 2010-2017

Michaëlle Jean: 2005-2010

Adrienne Clarkson: 1999-2005

Roméo LeBlanc: 1995-1999

Ramon Hnatyshyn: 1990-1995

Jeanne Sauvé: 1984-1990

Edward Schreyer: 1979-1984

Jules Léger: 1974-1979

Roland Michener: 1967-1974

Georges Vanier: 1959-1967

Vincent Massey: 1952-1959

Note: Massey was the first Canadian-born governor general. All governors general since 1952 have been Canadian.

Lord Alexander: 1946-1952

Lord Athlone: 1940-1946

Lord Tweedsmuir: 1935-1940

Lord Bessborough: 1931-1935

Lord Willingdon: 1926-1931

Lord Byng: 1921-1926

Duke of Devonshire: 1916-1921

Duke of Connaught: 1911-1916

Lord Grey: 1904-1911

Lord Minto: 1898-1904

Lord Aberdeen: 1893-1898

Lord Stanley: 1888-1893

The Marquess of Lansdowne: 1883-1888

Lord Lorne: 1878-1883

Lord Dufferin: 1872-1878

Lord Lisgar: 1869-1872

Lord Monck: 1867-1868

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2026.

A list of Canada's governors general since Confederation | iNFOnews.ca
Governor General Mary Simon poses for a portrait at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, May 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A list of Canada's governors general since Confederation | iNFOnews.ca
Former governors general David Johnston, left, Michaëlle Jean, centre, and Adrienne Clarkson, right, sit in the Senate ahead of King Charles delivering the speech from the throne in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
A list of Canada's governors general since Confederation | iNFOnews.ca
Governor General Jeanne Sauvé reads the government’s speech from the throne in the Senate on Dec.12, 1988. (CP/Fred Chartrand)

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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