Prime Minister Mark Carney participates in a signing with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon during a cabinet swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in December, 2025.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Premiers outside Central Canada are urging the federal government to remember regions that have not produced a governor-general as Ottawa looks for a replacement for the King’s representative.
Vincent Massey, in 1952, was the first Canadian-born governor-general. Since then, there have been 11 others, largely from Ontario and Quebec.
But the last governor-general from Atlantic Canada was Romeo Leblanc of New Brunswick – the father of current Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc – who left the post in 1999. The last from the West was Ray Hnatyshyn of Saskatchewan, whose term ended in 1995.
The issue is one of concern for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
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“It’s been over 30 years since we’ve had a governor-general from Western Canada, and over 50 years since we’ve had one from Alberta,” Ms. Smith said, in a statement, referring to Roland Michener, the governor-general from 1967 to 1974, who was born in the province.
“It’s important we have Western representation within Ottawa’s institutions, and I think it would be good for our country and for Western Canadians to see themselves reflected in the Office of the Governor-General,” Ms. Smith said in a statement.
Mary Simon, who was Canada’s first Indigenous governor-general, is coming to the end of a five-year run in the post. There has not been an official statement, but Ms. Simon’s husband, Whit Fraser, recently told The Globe and Mail that the couple is looking for housing after they leave Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Ms. Simon was not fluent in French, but Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that her replacement will be fluent in both official languages.
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment Wednesday on the issues raised by the premiers.
Recent governors-general, such as Adrienne Clarkson, Michaëlle Jean, David Johnston, Julie Payette and Ms. Simon, have tended to be from Central Canada.
But there has never been a governor-general from British Columbia or Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island or Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Nor has there been one from Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said the upcoming appointment allows for a Nova Scotian to be chosen as Canada’s head of state.
“Nova Scotia is home to many qualified Canadians who are capable of serving as Canada’s next governor-general with distinction and pride,” Mr. Houston said in a statement.
The Premier noted that there is a large Acadian population in Nova Scotia, allowing for a prospect fluent in French.
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson said Canada’s institutions are strongest when they reflect the full diversity of Canada, “including the territories, which for too long have been overlooked for roles of national significance.”
Mr. Simpson said in a statement that there has been a “meaningful shift” in that position given that Mr. Carney was born in the Northwest Territories.
“I would warmly welcome a governor-general from the Northwest Territories, where we have a strong tradition of leadership and a distinct perspective shaped by our people, our geography, and our experience working in true partnership with Indigenous governments.
On the issue of French, Mr. Simpson noted that French is one of 11 official languages in the territory. “Our vibrant and historic franco-ténoise community is a key part of that story.
“Multilingualism is elemental to who we are as Northerners and as Canadians, and it is an asset for the role of governor-general.”
Meanwhile, Yukon Premier Currie Dixon said in a statement that he would welcome a governor-general from the north, though he did not elaborate.
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The author of a new book, The Governors General: An Intimate History of Canada’s Highest Office, said the premiers have a point.
“They want to see the whole country, the country in all its dimensions represented, and I think that’s a really important element,” John Fraser said in an interview.
For some time, Mr. Fraser said prime ministers treated the Office of the Governor-General as what he called a kind of superior Senate, reaching out for friends, associates and politicians departing elected office.
Mr. Fraser said the current government would be wise to follow the approach of former prime minister Stephen Harper, who struck a committee to vet possible viceregal candidates and advise the government.
Such a committee, he said, could consider issues of regional representation, and look for candidates across Canada.
He said the next governor-general is going to face a number of challenges given Canadian concerns about sovereignty in light of remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump
“It’s a time when the governor-general should be making Canadians feel good about themselves,” Mr. Fraser said.