Louise Arbour Former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour speaks on independence of international human rights institutions in Ottawa, Monday October 22, 2007. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Mary Simon: 2021-2026
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has an audience with King Charles at Rideau Hall in Ottawa during a royal visit on Monday, May 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has an audience with King Charles at Rideau Hall in Ottawa during a royal visit on Monday, May 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Julie Payette: 2017-2021
am800-news-julie-payette-justin-trudeau-getty-1.9939959 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bowes to the new the Governor general Julie Payette at the senate in Ottawa, October 2, 2017. (Lars Hagberg / AFP)
David Johnston: 2010-2017
Governor General David Johnston-1.2701210 Governor General David Johnston
Michaëlle Jean: 2005-2010
Michaëlle Jean Michaëlle Jean
Adrienne Clarkson: 1999-2005
Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson delivers a speech accepting the Vimy Award in Ottawa on Friday, November 19, 2010. Clarkson was honoured as the 2010 recipient of the Vimy Award. Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson delivers a speech accepting the Vimy Award in Ottawa on Friday, November 19, 2010. Clarkson was honoured as the 2010 recipient of the Vimy Award.
Roméo LeBlanc: 1995-1999
Ramon Hnatyshyn: 1990-1995
Jeanne Sauvé: 1984-1990
Jeanne Sauvé Jeanne Sauvé
Edward Schreyer: 1979-1984
Jules Léger: 1974-1979
Roland Michener: 1967-1974
Queen Elizabeth Canada Queen Elizabeth shakes hands with former prime minister John Diefenbaker soon after her arrival in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 1977. Former governor general Roland Michener (centre) looks on. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Grimshaw
Georges Vanier: 1959-1967
Vincent Massey: 1952-1959
Note: Massey was the first Canadian-born appointee. All governors general since 1952 have been Canadian.
Royal Tours Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth strolls in the gardens at Rideau Hall, accompanied by His Excellency the Governor General Vincent Massey and H.R.H. Prince Philip in Ottawa, Oct. 15 1957. (National Archives of Canada-Peel)
Lord Alexander: 1946-1952
Lord Athlone: 1940-1946
Lord Tweedsmuir: 1935-1940
Lord Bessborough: 1931-1935
Lord Willingdon: 1926-1931
Lord Byng: 1921-1926
People Lord and Lady Byng of Vimy in Montreal. (National Archives of Canada)
Duke of Devonshire: 1916-1921
Duke of Connaught: 1911-1916
Lord Grey: 1904-1911
People Governor-General of Canada Lord Albert Grey (National Archives of Canada)
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
People Lord Dufferin at Ball. (National Archives of Canada)
Lord Lisgar: 1869-1872
Lord Monck: 1867-1868
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2026.
