Sask. Lt. Gov. shares common goal for reconciliation with new Governor-General Mary Simon
Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor said the installation of Canada’s first Indigenous Governor-General is a step in the right direction for Canadians.
Russ Mirasty, the first Indigenous person to represent the Queen in Saskatchewan, was struck by the significance of the historic swearing-in.
“The reality, both for myself and her, to have an Indigenous person occupy these high levels of government within the country.”
Mary Simon, a prominent Inuk leader and former ambassador, became Canada’s 30th Governor-General on Monday.
Simon has played several key roles in advancing Inuit culture, as well as social, environmental, and human rights as an advocate and negotiator.
In her first remarks, Simon pledged to play a role in the rethinking she says is needed when it comes to reconciliation.
Mirasty said building a bridge to reconciliation is a goal he and Simon share.
“It is a lofty goal, but I think the point there is she’s willing to tackle that and take it on as I have,” he said. “It’s really up to individuals to do our part but because she in her position kind of has the ability to influence a broader range of people.”
Mirasty said the highlight of the role as Queen’s representative is getting into the community to speak with people face to face about their work and passions, and it’s something he looks forward to resuming now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted.
“The province is so diverse, and so many people offering many things on an individual basis,” Mirasty said. “It gives me great joy to see that and gives me hope for the future.
“When we talk about reconciliation it’s a difficult journey but what I see from people is a willingness to try to understand."
Last week as governor general-designate Simon 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.
With files from CTVNews.ca’s Rachel Aiello.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.