Presentation of Letters of Credence

 December 7, 2021

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, welcomed four new heads of mission to Canada during a formal presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall.

These types of ceremonies highlight the governor general’s important role in representing Canada, building bridges with other nations to achieve common goals, and fostering diversity and acceptance.

The following new heads of mission presented their credentials:

His Excellency Harsha Kumara Navaratne Weraduwa  
High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain

His Excellency Ronen Pinchas Hoffman 
Ambassador of the State of Israel

His Excellency David Louis Cohen  
Ambassador of the United States of America

National flags are lined up in a row between two Canadian flags.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, welcomed four new heads of mission to Canada during a formal presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-001
His Excellency Harsha Kumara Navaratne Weraduwa, High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, stands to the right of Governor General Mary Simon for a photograph.

His Excellency Harsha Kumara Navaratne Weraduwa, High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, presented his Letter of Credence to Governor General Mary Simon.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-005
His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, stands to the right of Governor General Mary Simon for a photograph.

His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, presented his Letter of Credence to Governor General Mary Simon.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-007
His Excellency Ronen Pinchas Hoffman, Ambassador of the State of Israel, stands to the right of Governor General Mary Simon for a photograph.

His Excellency Ronen Pinchas Hoffman, Ambassador of the State of Israel, presented his Letter of Credence to Governor General Mary Simon.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-009
His Excellency David Louis Cohen, Ambassador of the United States of America, stands to the right of Governor General Mary Simon for a photograph.

His Excellency David Louis Cohen, Ambassador of the United States of America, presented his Letter of Credence to Governor General Mary Simon.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-011
Their Excellencies stand with the new heads of mission.

“As we all work across borders, we should always keep in mind how much we can accomplish when we put aside what divides us and focus on our common humanity. I hope that, during your time in Canada, you will have the chance to travel widely and talk to Canadians, to learn from them and share your own experiences with them.” 

- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-012
Governor General Mary Simon stands at a podium addressing the audience.

Upon their arrival in Canada, new heads of mission must present their letters of credence to the governor general before they can carry out their duties.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-013
Governor General Mary Simon stands at a podium addressing the audience.

These types of ceremonies highlight the governor general’s important role in representing Canada, building bridges with other nations to achieve common goals, and fostering diversity and acceptance.

  • Credit: Cpl Valerie Mailhot, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG10-2021-0110-014

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