Minister LeBlanc announces advisory group to assist with the selection of the next Governor General

Ottawa, Ontario, March 12, 2021 – The Government of Canada is committed to finding and selecting a candidate to fill the office of Governor General who represents the very best of our country.

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the establishment of the Advisory Group on the Selection of the Next Governor General to assist with the identification of potential candidates to fill the vacant office. The group is mandated to deliberate and submit a shortlist of outstanding Canadians for the Prime Minister’s consideration.

Minister LeBlanc will co-chair the group, alongside Janice Charette, Interim Clerk of the Privy Council and former High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Advisory Group also includes:

• Daniel Jutras: Rector of the Université de Montréal;
• Judith LaRocque: Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Nature, former senior public servant and former Secretary to the Governor General;
• Natan Obed: President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; and
• Suromitra Sanatani: Interim Chair of the Board of Directors of Canada Post and an experienced corporate director.

Members were selected for the diverse perspectives they bring to the work, as well as their expertise on issues relating to government and the Crown in Canada.

While there is no formal application process, comments and suggestions can be submitted for the Advisory Group’s consideration to: ggselection@pco-bcp.gc.ca.