State visit to Finland

February 6 to 10, 2023

The Governor General of Canada completed a State visit to the Republic of Finland to mark 75 years of formal bilateral relations with a valued and like-minded partner and European Union member.

Her Excellency’s visit to the country reinforced Canada’s commitment to solidarity and strong support for European security, and Finland’s accession to NATO. It presented opportunities to advance shared priorities in the areas of human rights, support for democracy, gender equality and climate change.

The visit also highlighted the Governor General’s unique standing across circumpolar regions in core areas of our co-operation with partners, including Indigenous knowledge, sustainable development, green transition, Arctic governance, the primary role of Arctic states leading on Arctic issues, and the importance of rules-based decisions in ensuring the stability of the region.

February 6, 2023

Her Excellency arrived in Helsinki.

February 7, 2023

In the morning, Governor General Mary Simon was greeted by His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, and his spouse, Dr. Jenni Haukio. They inspected a guard of honour and observed the playing of the national anthems.  Following the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Governor General Simon met with the President of the Republic of Finland to discuss strengthening Canada-Finland relations and shared values in areas such as human rights, climate change and support for European security.

In the afternoon, Her Excellency met with His Excellency Antti Rinne, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Following the meeting, Her Excellency was introduced to members of Parliament in the house.

Holding a bouquet of flowers, Governor General Simon stands next to President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse, Dr. Jenni Haukio.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0010-008
Governor General Simon shaking a man’s hand. Several other people are standing around them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0010-022
Governor General Simon and President Sauli Niinistö walking down a red carpet. They are inspecting a guard of honour.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0010-025
Governor General Simon signing a guest book. President Sauli Niinistö is standing to her right.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0011-001
Governor General Simon and President Sauli Niinistö are sitting next to each other.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0011-010
Governor General Simon sitting at a large table, with other people seated on either side of her. They each have a microphone in front of them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0011-011
Governor General Simon speaking into a microphone at a podium. Behind her, in order from left to right, are the flags of Canada, Finland and the European Union.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0012-009
Governor General Simon and President Sauli Niinistö are standing at a podium. Behind them, in order from left to right, are the flags of Canada, Finland and the European Union.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0012-015
Governor General Simon shaking hands with Acting Chair of the City Council Harry Bogomoloff. Two people are standing behind them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0013-010
Governor General Simon signing a guest book. First Deputy Speaker Antti Rinne is standing to her right.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0014-005
Governor General Simon shaking hands with First Deputy Speaker Antti Rinne. Behind them, in order from left to right, are the flags of Canada, Finland and the European Union.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0014-007
Governor General Simon standing on a balcony in Finland’s Parliament. Several parliamentarians are seated around her. They are clapping.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0014-011

February 8, 2023

The Governor General attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Hietaniemi Cemetery, the location for Finnish state funerals.

Later that morning, Her Excellency met with Finnish education officials to discuss their education system and the challenges they face in remote areas, including the north. Following the discussion, the Governor General met with students enrolled in the Yrityskyla program, a Finnish experiential learning method.

In the afternoon, Governor General Mary Simon met with civically active Finnish youth representing a diverse group of organizations. The luncheon brought together Sámi People, 2SLGBTQI+ activists, disability activists, representatives of national student unions and young people representing Finland in the global fight against climate change. They discussed life in Finland from their different perspectives, including those of diversity and inclusion.

 

Governor General Simon walking down a gravel path in a cemetery. A man in a uniform is walking beside her and a group of people are walking behind them. Behind the group is a large stone clock tower.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0016-010
Governor General Simon standing in front of a group of people on a gravel road. Their expressions are sombre. Several people are in military uniforms.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0016-014
Governor General Simon standing in front of a wreath laid on a black monument. A military band performs behind her.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0016-024
A wreath with red-and-white flowers laying in front of a monument. A group of people in military uniform stand around the monument.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0016-035
Governor General Simon sitting at a large table with a group of people. A presentation plays on a television at the end of the table.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0017-004
Governor General Simon sitting at a large table, smiling to a man on her right.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0017-007
Governor General Simon holding a pink flower and speaking to two school children. Two women are standing behind them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0017-024
Governor General Simon standing with several women. The woman on her left is speaking to her.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0017-045
Governor General Simon standing between a man and a woman. The woman is speaking to them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0018-009
Governor General Simon shaking hands with a young woman. Four other young people are standing nearby, looking at them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0018-013
Governor General Simon sitting at the head of a large conference table, in between two other people. Behind her are two flags of Canada and two flags of Finland. Two other people sitting at the table have their backs to the camera.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0018-024

February 9, 2023

In Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in Northern Finland, the Governor General delivered a speech on the effects of climate change in the Arctic. As a proud Inuk who lived in the Arctic throughout her childhood, Her Excellency emphasized the importance of trusting traditional indigenous knowledge and the necessity of establishing co-operative and inclusive approaches to tackling circumpolar environmental challenges.

In the afternoon, the Governor General visited the Ylikylä Comprehensive School to learn about Sámi language education and distance learning for Sámi children. She met with young children learning the main Sámi language.

In her capacity as Commander-in-Chief, she stopped at the Lapland Air Command to learn about their operations and capabilities.

Governor General Simon standing on a stage, speaking into a microphone. She is addressing a crowd of people seated in front of her.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0020-015
Governor General Simon standing at a podium and addressing a crowd.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0020-016
Three people sitting behind a wooden table. They each have a microphone in front of them. The person seated in the middle is speaking.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0020-020
Governor General Simon sitting in an audience. Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, is seated next to her.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0020-022
Governor General Simon shaking a student’s hand. There are other people around them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0022-002
Governor General Simon walking inside a building and smiling at students. There are people standing behind her. The students are holding flags of Finland and Canada.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0022-007
Governor General Simon talking to a student. Her hands are resting on his shoulders. There are other students around her and a man is standing behind her.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0022-011
Governor General Simon and a man sitting on a red bench. There are students standing in front of them, talking and holding a piece of paper. There are some people standing behind them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0022-021
Governor General Simon standing outside and listening to a man talk. They are both wearing headsets. Two people are standing behind them.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0023-001
Governor General Simon standing outside next to a man. They are both wearing headsets. One person is standing in the background in front of an airplane.

Governor General Mary Simon undertakes a State visit to the Republic of Finland.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2023-0023-005

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