Speech from the Throne

November 23, 2021 

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to formally open the first session of the 44th Parliament of Canada.

“Confronting the hard questions will not always be easy or comfortable—and it will require conviction—but it is necessary. The outcome will be a sustainable, united Canada, for you, for me, for our children, and for every generation to come.” - Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

One of the governor general’s most important constitutional duties is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a government in place that has the confidence of Parliament.

As The Queen’s representative in Canada, the governor general summons, prorogues and dissolves Parliament, delivers the Speech from the Throne, and gives Royal Assent to acts of Parliament.

The Governor General walks past a row of uniformed officers as she enters the Senate.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to formally open the first session of the 44th Parliament of Canada.         

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-002
The Governor General stands on a small red platform outside of the Senate.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to formally open the first session of the 44th Parliament of Canada.         

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-003
The procession arriving arriving in the Senate chamber.

As a non-partisan and apolitical figure, the governor general is also able to advise the elected head of government, and holds certain reserve powers, thereby acting as a democratic safeguard in Canada.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0105-015
A procession, including the Governor General, walks into the Senate. The Chief Justice of Canada watches as they enter.

Today Governor General Mary Simon made history as the first Indigenous person to deliver the Speech from the Throne in Canada. In her speech, she urged us to take concrete steps towards reconciliation, wellness and climate action.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-004
Their Excellencies seated at a pair of thrones. The Usher of the Black Rod stands in front of them.

Today Governor General Mary Simon made history as the first Indigenous person to deliver the Speech from the Throne in Canada. In her speech, she urged us to take concrete steps towards reconciliation, wellness and climate action.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-005
Their Excellencies seated at a pair of thrones. The Secretary to the Governor General presents her with a binder containing the Throne speech.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where the duties of head of State and head of government are distinct. Her Majesty The Queen is Canada’s head of State.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-006
Their Excellencies seated at a pair of thrones. Her Excellency holds the binder containing the Throne speech. The Prime Minister is off to her right.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where the duties of head of State and head of government are distinct. Her Majesty The Queen is Canada’s head of State.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-009
Governor General Mary Simon reads the Throne speech in the Senate. She is wearing a navy blue ensemble.

As The Queen’s representative in Canada, the governor general exercises the powers and responsibilities of the head of State.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-011
Wide view of the Senate room. Their Excellencies are seated in a pair of throne seats, the Prime Minister is off to Her Excellency’s right. The Chief Justice of Canada sits facing their Excellencies.

As The Queen’s representative in Canada, the governor general exercises the powers and responsibilities of the head of State.

  • Credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG08-2021-0105-012
Wide view of the Senate room. Their Excellencies are seated in a pair of throne seats, the Prime Minister is off to Her Excellency’s right. The Chief Justice of Canada sits facing their Excellencies.

As a non-partisan and apolitical figure, the governor general is also able to advise the elected head of government, and holds certain reserve powers, thereby acting as a democratic safeguard in Canada.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0105-037
Governor General Mary Simon reads the Throne speech in the Senate. She is wearing a navy blue ensemble.

While the Constitution Act (1867) places executive power in The Queen, in practice this power is exercised by the prime minister and his or her ministers. The governor general acts on the advice of the head of government but has the right to advise, encourage and warn. As such, the governor general can offer valued counsel to the prime minister.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0105-038
Wide view of the Senate room. Their Excellencies are seated in a pair of throne seats, the Prime Minister is off to Her Excellency’s right. The Chief Justice of Canada sits facing their Excellencies.

While the Constitution Act (1867) places executive power in The Queen, in practice this power is exercised by the prime minister and his or her ministers. The governor general acts on the advice of the head of government but has the right to advise, encourage and warn. As such, the governor general can offer valued counsel to the prime minister.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0105-043
Their Excellencies seated at a pair of thrones. The Secretary to the Governor General stands before them.

The governor general’s other constitutional duties include:
swearing into office the prime minister, Cabinet ministers and the chief justice of Canada;
summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament;
delivering the Speech from the Throne;
granting Royal Assent to acts of Parliament;
appointing members of the Privy Council, lieutenant governors and certain judges, on the advice of the prime minister; and
signing into effect official documents, such as orders-in-council.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0105-052

Related Content