OTTAWA —
Mary Simon became Canada’s 30th Governor General on Monday, in a pared-down but historic and culturally-rich ceremony.
A prominent Inuk leader and former ambassador, Simon is now the first Indigenous person to become the Queen’s representative in Canada, after spending her life playing several key roles in advancing Inuit culture, as well as social, environmental, and human rights as an advocate and negotiator.
In her first remarks in the role, Simon pledged to play a role in the rethinking she says is needed when it comes to reconciliation, to bring attention to the urgent crisis of climate change and the impacts already being felt in this country, as well as to be an advocate for equality and mental health.
“We have learned as a country that we need to learn the real history of Canada. Embracing this truth makes us stronger as a nation, unites Canadian society, and teaches our kids, that we must always do our best, especially when it is hard,” Simon said.
“As governor general, I will strive to hold together the tension of the past, with the promise of the future, in a wise and thoughtful way.”
She also stitched in moments of humour into her remarks, noting that her Inuk name, Ningiukadluk, means “bossy little old lady.”
Scroll down to recap our live blog coverage of today’s ceremony
The pared-down, pandemic-cautious ceremony took place in the Senate of Canada building in the parliamentary precinct. While typically the event would be attended by several hundred people, fewer than 50 dignitaries and guests attended in masks, due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Arriving at the ceremony where a red carpet was rolled out, Simon was met with claps and cheers from a crowd of onlookers standing across Wellington Street in front of the Chateau Laurier, and was greeted with a similar response upon her departure.
In addition to the necessary pomp and official oaths and signatures overseen by senior federal officials, the event included several cultural performances and a qulliq—a traditional Inuit lamp representing light and warmth— burned throughout the ceremony.
“In Canada, perhaps more than any other place on earth, we are defined by our diversity. We’re still a country that is in many ways young, and yet, Indigenous peoples have called this place home for millennia… This is a big place, it’s a diverse place, so, we need people like Ms. Simon, because we need people who build bridges, and bring us together,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in remarks during the ceremony. “Your remarkable achievements are an example of what it means to build bridges in pursuit of the Canada to which we all aspire.”
Trudeau said he expects Simon to use her unique experience and perspective to help Canada navigate the future while reckoning with the realities of the past.
“In this moment of unprecedented change, of rebuilding from the pandemic, of fighting the climate crisis, of walking forward on the path of reconciliation, we need your vision of a stronger Canada for everyone. A vision, as you say, of collective progress towards building a more inclusive, just, and equitable society,” Trudeau said.
Among the notable attendees were the speakers of the House of Commons and Senate, Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations RoseAnn Archibald, and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and member of the advisory group who helped craft the shortlist of candidates for the role, Natan Obed.
While Green Party Leader Annamie Paul was present, neither Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole or NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attended, sending MPs on their behalf.
Speaking with CTV News ahead of the ceremony, Obed described Simon as “a well-rounded, amazing, accomplished Canadian who happens to be Inuk.”
For the special day, Simon wore a dress and jacket by designer Victoria Okpik from Quartaq, Nunavik. She was the first Inuk woman to graduate in fashion design from LaSalle College in Montreal. The dress also featured symbolic beadwork by Julie Grenier, a Kuujjuaq artist and the director general of Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.
SIMON TO PLAY KEY ROLE
During her speech she reflected on being in the Senate of Canada building many years ago when another Trudeau was prime minister and it was the Government Conference Centre, where she worked to have equality rights affirmed in the constitution of Canada.
“That moment made this one possible,” she said Monday.
Trudeau tapped Simon for the role on July 6, and last week as governor general-designate she had her first audience with the Queen, held virtually.
As governor general, Simon will play a crucial role in constitutional matters and within minority governments when it comes to questions of confidence and calling elections, a duty she may be called to fulfill sooner rather than later with the ongoing speculation that there will be an election call in August.
She also becomes the top commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, will be responsible for reading the speech from the throne, granting royal assent so bills can become law, and swearing in cabinet members. An Officer of the Order of Canada, Simon will also now be in charge of granting that and other honours and medals to others.
‘A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’
Simon’s appointment comes amid renewed focus on Canada’s efforts towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, prompted by the continuing discovery of unmarked graves on former residential school grounds across the country.
“The discoveries of unmarked graves on the grounds of residential schools in recent weeks has horrified me, along with all Canadians. A lot of people think that reconciliation will be completed through projects and services… My view is that reconciliation is a way of life, and requires work every day. Reconciliation is getting to know one another,” Simon said.
When she was named to the role, Simon said she personally doesn’t view it as a conflict to have an Indigenous representative of the Crown, and said it was a moment that she hopes all Canadians feel a part of, as it reflects a “collective progress” towards a more just society.
“It’s a balance, for sure… But she can and has represented and will represent both sides. And she has the skills of diplomacy, she’s got the experience as a stateswoman… It has always been a balance for Mary, and she’s always represented,” said Simon’s friend, Inuk leader and former chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Josie Okalik Eegeesiak during CTV News’ special coverage. “Mary is the right person at the right time for this appointment.”
She also called it “a step in the right direction.”
Former governor general and the first Black woman in Canadian history to hold the position Michaelle Jean said Monday during CTV News’ special coverage that she’s wished for this day to happen.
“It’s amazing, it’s overdue. It’s wonderful to have an Indigenous person of the stature of Mary Simon also… She’s a woman of knowledge, she’s a woman of heart, of courage. She’s an activist, and it’s good to have an activist in Rideau Hall,” she said.
While Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Richard Wagner had been acting as the administrator, assuming the powers of the role without taking the official title, Simon replaces Julie Payette who resigned in January amid reports of fostering a “toxic” work environment.
Simon has faced some scrutiny for not being fluent French—after she was denied the chance to pick up the language when she attended a federal government day school until Grade 6—though she has pledged to learn and is bilingual in English and Inuktitut.
After Simon was presented with the Chancellor of the Order of Canada, the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, and the collar denoting her as the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, she conducted an inspection of the guard at the National War Memorial as her first official duty.
The Governor General’s flag was raised on the Peace Tower to mark Simon’s installation, but the Canadian flag was then returned to half mast in recognition of the unmarked graves found on former sites of residential schools.
Simon and her husband Whit Fraser will be moving into Rideau Hall, the official residence of both the Canadian monarch and their representative in Ottawa, but also have plans to spend time living and working at the Citadelle residence in Quebec City.
The couple will be relocating after spending time during the pandemic in Nova Scotia, where according to close friends Robert and Cheryl MacKean, they have a beach home. There, Simon loved to pick up sea glass along the water, they told CTV News.
“Mary is very unassuming and humble, and she’s a beautiful friend… I think she’s very good for the job,” said Cheryl MacKean.
Governors general typically serve for five or so years.
TORONTO – Will Taylor Swift bring chaos or do we all need to calm down?
It’s a question many Torontonians are asking this week as the city braces for the arrival of Swifties, the massive fan base of one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the downtown core for the singer’s six concerts which kick off Thursday at the Rogers Centre and run until Nov. 23.
And while their arrival will be a boon to tourism dollars — the city estimates more than $282 million in economic impact — some worry it could worsen Toronto’s gridlock by clogging streets that already come to a standstill during rush hour.
Swift’s shows are set to collide with sports events at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, including a Raptors game on Friday and a Leafs game on Saturday.
Some residents and local businesses have already adjusted their plans to avoid the area and its planned road closures.
Aahil Dayani says he and some friends intended to throw a birthday bash for one of their pals until they realized it would overlap with the concerts.
“Something as simple as getting together and having dinner is now thrown out the window,” he said.
Dayani says the group rescheduled the gathering for after Swift leaves town. In the meantime, he plans to hunker down at his Toronto residence.
“Her coming into town has kind of changed up my social life,” he added.
“We’re pretty much just not doing anything.”
Max Sinclair, chief executive and founder of A.I. technology firm Ecomtent, suggested his employees avoid the company’s downtown offices on concert days, saying he doesn’t see the point in forcing people to endure potential traffic jams.
“It’s going to be less productive for us, and it’s going to be just a pain for everyone, so it’s easier to avoid it,” Sinclair said.
“We’re a hybrid company, so we can be flexible. It just makes sense.”
Swift’s concerts are the latest pop culture moment to draw attention to Toronto’s notoriously disastrous daily commute.
In June, One Direction singer Niall Horan uploaded a social media video of himself walking through traffic to reach the venue for his concert.
“Traffic’s too bad in Toronto, so we’re walking to the venue,” he wrote in the post.
Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green says the public agency has been working for more than a year on plans to ease the pressure of so many Swifties in one confined area.
“We are preparing for something that would be akin to maybe the Beatles coming in the ‘60s,” he said.
Dozens of buses and streetcars have been added to transit routes around the stadium, and the TTC has consulted the city on potential emergency scenarios.
Green will be part of a command centre operated by the City of Toronto and staffed by Toronto police leaders, emergency services and others who have handled massive gatherings including the Raptors’ NBA championship parade in 2019.
“There may be some who will say we’re over-preparing, and that’s fair,” Green said.
“But we know based on what’s happened in other places, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.”
Metrolinx, the agency for Ontario’s GO Transit system, has also added extra trips and extended hours in some regions to accommodate fans looking to travel home.
A day before Swift’s first performance, the city began clearing out tents belonging to homeless people near the venue. The city said two people were offered space in a shelter.
“As the area around Rogers Centre is expected to receive a high volume of foot traffic in the coming days, this area has been prioritized for outreach work to ensure the safety of individuals in encampments, other residents, businesses and visitors — as is standard for large-scale events,” city spokesperson Russell Baker said in a statement.
Homeless advocate Diana Chan McNally questioned whether money and optics were behind the measure.
“People (in the area) are already in close proximity to concerts, sports games, and other events that generate massive amounts of traffic — that’s nothing new,” she said in a statement.
“If people were offered and willingly accepted a shelter space, free of coercion, I support that fully — that’s how it should happen.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
TORONTO – Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans lined up outside the gates of Toronto’s Rogers Centre Wednesday, with hopes of snagging some of the pop star’s merchandise on the eve of the first of her six sold-out shows in the city.
Swift is slated to perform at the venue from Thursday to Saturday, and the following week from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, with concert merchandise available for sale on some non-show days.
Swifties were all smiles as they left the merch shop, their arms full of sweaters and posters bearing pictures of the star and her Eras Tour logo.
Among them was Zoe Haronitis, 22, who said she waited in line for about two hours to get $300 worth of merchandise, including some apparel for her friends.
Haronitis endured the autumn cold and the hefty price tag even though she hasn’t secured a concert ticket. She said she’s hunting down a resale ticket and plans to spend up to $600.
“I haven’t really budgeted anything,” Haronitis said. “I don’t care how much money I spent. That was kind of my mindset.”
The megastar’s merchandise costs up to $115 for a sweater, and $30 for tote bags and other accessories.
Rachel Renwick, 28, also waited a couple of hours in line for merchandise, but only spent about $70 after learning that a coveted blue sweater and a crewneck had been snatched up by other eager fans before she got to the shop. She had been prepared to spend much more, she said.
“The two prized items sold out. I think a lot more damage would have been done,” Renwick said, adding she’s still determined to buy a sweater at a later date.
Renwick estimated she’s spent about $500 in total on “all-things Eras Tour,” including her concert outfit and merchandise.
The long queue for Swift merch is just a snapshot of what the city will see in the coming days. It’s estimated that up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto will be in town during the concert period.
Tens of thousands more are also expected to attend Taylgate’24, an unofficial Swiftie fan event scheduled to be held at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, Destination Toronto has said it anticipates the economic impact of the Eras Tour could grow to $282 million as the money continues to circulate.
But for fans like Haronitis, the experience in Toronto comes down to the Swiftie community. Knowing that Swift is going to be in the city for six shows and seeing hundreds gather just for merchandise is “awesome,” she said.
Even though Haronitis hasn’t officially bought her ticket yet, she said she’s excited to see the megastar.
“It’s literally incredible.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
OTTAWA – Via Rail is asking for a judicial review on the reasons why Canadian National Railway Co. has imposed speed restrictions on its new passenger trains.
The Crown corporation says it is seeking the review from the Federal Court after many attempts at dialogue with the company did not yield valid reasoning for the change.
It says the restrictions imposed last month are causing daily delays on Via Rail’s Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers and damaging Via Rail’s reputation with travellers.
CN says in a statement that it imposed the restrictions at rail crossings given the industry’s experience and known risks associated with similar trains.
The company says Via has asked the courts to weigh in even though Via has agreed to buy the equipment needed to permanently fix the issues.
Via said in October that no incidents at level crossings have been reported in the two years since it put 16 Siemens Venture trains into operation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
