Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Canada’s new Governor-General says she is embracing the role, and looking to be informed and sustained by the best qualities of the country she now serves as the federal representative of its head of state.
Louise Arbour, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada who has also held key roles for the United Nations, was installed as Canada’s 31st Governor-General in a ceremony on Monday at the Senate building in downtown Ottawa.
“As I take on my new role, I am mindful of the privilege given to me to go and meet with Canadians across this country,” she told an audience that included Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced her appointment in May, and former prime ministers Joe Clark and Jean Chrétien.
The new Governor-General said she will showcase the diversity in Canada when asked to represent the country beyond its borders or welcome foreign dignitaries at home.
Arbour called for unity to harness Canada’s resources, talent, “collective know-how” and boundless imagination. “The world is watching us, not to copy everything we do, but to draw inspiration from a country striving to embrace the future with greater security, prosperity and dignity for all.”
She said that she aims, each day, to embody the spirit of empathy that lies at the heart of Canada’s great reconciliation project. Earlier in the proceedings, she praised the work of her immediate predecessor − Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous governor-general − thanking her for her “remarkable service.”
Arbour’s comments brought the assembled to a standing ovation.
In other news, Ottawa is planning to propose a ban on social media for children under 16 as part of an online harms bill to be introduced Wednesday.
But Marie Woolf reports that platforms that meet new safety standards may be able to allow children to opt back in, according to a source familiar with the forthcoming bill.
The Globe and Mail is not naming the source as they are not authorized to speak publicly about the legislation.
The long-awaited online harms bill is also expected to require companies to mitigate harmful content.
And in Calgary, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre today called for national unity and a reform of federalism in a speech urging Albertans to find common cause with other provinces.
Stephanie Levitz and Matthew Scace reported on Poilievre’s speech, which was delivered as Alberta voters look ahead to choosing between two options in October: remain in Canada or begin the legal process that would lead to a binding secession referendum.
Poilievre said Canada must be prepared to have honest conversations about what led to separatist sentiment in Alberta, citing federal policies that stymied provincial authority and autonomy, along with a “destructive ideology” that saw Canada’s common history and identity downgraded and denigrated.
The Conservative Leader likened a country to a family that fails when it sweeps its problems under the rug. He said Canada can’t afford to let that happen now.
“Listen carefully to the concerns of those saying that they want to leave. And you will find that they do not have a problem with fellow Canadians or even with Canada,” he said, according to a prepared text of his remarks.
“They have a problem with the federal government. We do not need a different country in Alberta. We need different government policies in Ottawa.”
Louise Arbour stands as she is installed as the new Governor-General in Ottawa on Monday.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Ottawa offering financial aid to airlines under pressure from high jet fuel costs: Loans of as much as $150-million a company are intended to ensure the stability of the airline sector while protecting travellers’ access to affordable routes in the busy travel season, said John Fragos, a spokesman for Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Elections Alberta kicks off massive hiring spree ahead of fall referendum vote: The organization says it needs at least 60,000 workers, a number that eclipses the 13,000 who worked the last general election.
Canada in discussions to join $1.6-billion NATO Innovation Fund: The initiative on Canada’s part is being spearheaded by the Department of National Defence with support from private-sector investors.
Canadian businessman accused of aiding Russia sanctioned by EU, but not Ottawa: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand’s spokesperson told The Globe and Mail that the minister has sought “further advice” on the matter from her department.
Ottawa to direct CRTC to scrap demands for streamers to fund local news, niche broadcasters: The federal government is planning a series of steps that would require the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to roll back key decisions it has made implementing the controversial Online Streaming Act.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: In Ottawa, Mark Carney delivered remarks at the installation ceremony of the new Governor-General. Later, Carney attended a ceremony at the National War Memorial with Arbour.
Carney was also scheduled to speak at the Liberal fundraising Laurier Club summer reception and garden party attended by several members of cabinet, including Dominic LeBlanc, Marc Miller, Steven MacKinnon, Gregor Robertson, David McGuinty and Marjorie Michel.
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that Carney will be travelling from June 11 to 17 to France and Ireland, which will include attending the 2026 G7 leaders’ summit in Évian, France.
Party Leaders: Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet held a news conference on Parliament Hill. In Calgary, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a keynote speech on national unity, launching his campaign in the sovereignty debate. In Ottawa, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May attended the House of Commons. NDP Leader Avi Lewis attended the installation of the new Governor-General and held a news conference on anti-scab legislation.
Ministers on the Road:
In Montreal, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly delivered remarks at the Conference of Montreal and participated in various discussions throughout the event, including a fireside chat with French Economy Minister Roland Lescure. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was also at the conference.
Also in Montreal, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson delivered a speech and participated in a fireside chat at a forum held by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.
Quotes of the Day
“It was a long and beautiful ceremony. It felt like a moment. It was disappointing not to see the Leader of the Opposition there, to be honest. But the sustained applause, I think, was a mark of the respect that Louise Arbour brings to the role. It felt like a moment of consequence for a country facing challenges on every front.” – NDP Leader Avi Lewis, at a news conference on Parliament Hill today, responding to a media question about the installation ceremony for the new Governor-General.
“At this moment, when you look at the polls, the Canadians have been never more united than they are right now. I say thank you to Donald Trump for that. I said I should propose him for the Order of Canada.” – Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, to CBC, ahead of the installation ceremony for the new Governor-General. Chretien added that Trump would not qualify for the order honour because he has a criminal record.
Question period
Six months after being sworn in as governor-general, Jules Léger suffered a major setback on this day in 1974. What happened?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
How to punch a hole in the sails of Alberta separatists
If Ottawa listens, if it hears what is being said instead of wagging a condescending finger like Mr. Lewis, we will not only punch a hole in the sails of Alberta separatism – but also end up with a better Canada, thanks to reforms that work for all the provinces.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Seize the quantum future – or let the U.S. own it. Which way, Canada?
We can wait for another country with deeper pockets to define one of the biggest technological advances of our time, or we can use our ingenuity to lead the world. Both futures still exist, but we don’t get to stay between two states forever. Which Canada do we want to collapse into?
— Christian Weedbrook is co-founder and chief executive officer of Xanadu Quantum Technologies Ltd.
Carney’s Online Streaming Act about-face is a blow to middle-power solidarity
What makes it feel like the Online Streaming Act has been thrown under the bus is the way both Miller and Carney suddenly dropped the “ensuring online streamers pay their fair share” rhetoric that has anchored the Liberal-led legislative journey since 2020. Instead, on Wednesday, they reframed regulated contributions to local production as a trickle-down tax on consumers.
— J.Kelly Nestruck, Television Critic
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
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The answer to today’s question: While at the University of Sherbrooke to receive an honorary degree, the former diplomat suffered a stroke. While he was recovering, his wife, Gabrielle, stepped up to replace him at some events, and even read part of the Speech from the Throne. She is the only spouse featured in an official portrait of a governor-general.