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Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

August 27 to September 1, 2024

At the request of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada traveled to Paris, France, from August 27 to September 1, 2024, to attend the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

During her visit, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, met with Team Canada athletes, cheered them on as they competed in their respective sports and celebrated the achievements of our paralympic champions.

As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General also honoured and remembered those who served and lost their lives in the First World War by visiting the two largest Canadian First World War Memorials in France: the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. 

August 28, 2024

In the morning, Her Excellency met with embassy staff to thank them for their support in the coming days.

The Governor General Mary Simon stands next to Canada’s Ambassador to France, Stéphane Dion. They are both smiling.

The Governor General Mary Simon and the Ambassador of Canada to France stand among a large group of people.



Prior to the Opening Ceremony, the Governor General represented Canada at a heads of State and government reception hosted by His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. 

The Governor General Mary Simon stands in between the President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. They are smilling.

The Governor General Mary Simon, the President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron stand among a large group of people.



In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Two flag bearers, Katarina Roxon and Pat Anderson, lead the Canadian team during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris, France. The team proudly marches forward with their flags.

Photo Credit: Dave Holland/Canadian Paralympic Committee

A Team Canada member in a wheelchair expressing their joy during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Photo Credit: Angela Burger/Canadian Paralympic Committee

Team Canada smiling during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Photo Credit: Angela Burger/Canadian Paralympic Committee

View of the Champs Elysees at night. The sky is lit with fireworks.

 

August 29, 2024

The Governor General visited the Athlete Village and had the opportunity to interact with Team Canada’s paralympic athletes. She also signed the Paralympic Mural that celebrates the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Governor General Mary Simon shaking an athlete's hand.

The Governor General of Canada Mary Simon is talking to a Team Canada athlete in a wheelchair.

The Governor General of Canada Mary Simon is talking to a Team Canada athlete in a motorized chair.

The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, writes a message on a white pillar outdoors. The message includes her signature, the phrase "Ajinimata 'Never give up,'" and "Governor General Canada."

Throughout the day, the Governor General attended sporting events at different venues including the wheelchair rugby game and the women’s para cycling track event.

A wheelchair rugby game at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in a large indoor arena filled with spectators.

A Team Canada paracyclist competes in a track event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The athlete is on a track bicycle, wearing a blue uniform and helmet. The "Paris 2024" logo is visible on the floor.



In the evening, the Governor General met with Her Excellency the Honourable Ms. Sam Mostyn AC, who was sworn in as Australia’s 28th governor general on July 1, 2024.

The Governor General of Australia Sam Mostyn and the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon standing on a staircase with ornate gold and black railing. They are smilling.

 

August 30, 2024

As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General honoured the service and sacrifice of Canadians who served and lost their lives in the First World War by visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial to see the tunnels, trenches and Visitor Education Centre, accompanied by Canadian student guides. She also took time to lay a commemorative wreath in front of the Memorial.

Governor General Mary Simon and her aide de camp stand before the Vimy Ridge Memorial.

Governor General Mary Simon looking over the horizon at Vimy Ridge.

The Governor General of Canada Mary Simon in standing in line with a group of people in front of a wall with French text.

A person in a green shirt is speaking to the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon who is wearing a black jacket. They stand in front of a gated entrance to an underground stone corridor.

A wreath of red, white, and green flowers lies on the steps in front of a large, white stone monument with two tall pillars and a sculpted figure.



In the afternoon, the Governor General toured and laid a commemorative wreath at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial to honour the sacrifice of the 591 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 114 sailors of the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and 115 merchant mariners who fought at Beaumont-Hamel during the Battle of the Somme, which took place from July 1 to November 18, 1916.

On July 1, 2024, the Governor General participated in a special ceremony in St. John’s marking 100 years since the Newfoundland National War Memorial was built. During this ceremony, the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier were placed in a special tomb to represent all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with no known graves.

The Governor General’s visit to Beaumont-Hamel in France serves as an important symbol of closure and a lasting tribute to all the service members who have no known final resting place.

A group of people in green uniforms stand in a line, shaking hands with the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon.

A memorial made of large stone blocks featuring plaques with names adorned with wreaths and floral tributes at its base. At the top, a statue depicting a caribou figure against a backdrop of trees.

A bronze caribou statue stands atop a rocky formation surrounded by trimmed bushes.

August 31, 2024

The Governor General took part in a Canadian honours ceremony to thank individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada and who have inspired others to help build a better country. Her Excellency invested one Officer and one Member into the Order of Canada and presented four exemplary individuals with Meritorious Service Medals.

List of honourees who attended the presentation

The Governor General Mary Simon stands with a group of people. The group is posing for a photo.

In the evening, the Governor General delivered short remarks at a celebration with Paralympic athletes and their families and friends to thank and acknowledge them for their tremendous contributions to Canada and to the Paralympic Games.

A person in a wheelchair and the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon sit indoors with a young girl seated between them, holding a book. All three are smiling.

The Governor General of Canada Mary Simon stands in a group of 5 people. They are having a conversation and smiling.

Five people are on a stage, four of whom are in wheelchairs. They are engaged in a conversation; one person is holding a microphone and speaking, while the others listen and smile.

Three people, including two in wheelchairs, are participating in a discussion. The person on the left is speaking into a microphone. An audience is visible in the foreground.

You have broken down barriers. You have challenged perceptions. You have been actively involved in your communities back at home, raising funds and speaking in schools to promote health and diversity. And here you are today, facing off against the best athletes in the world. Many of you have achieved rare feats—and broken world records—in your sport. You have shown that everyone can aspire to sporting excellence, and inspire Canada.

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

A group of people in an auditorium are facing a stage where the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon is speaking at a podium. Behind her, a projection screen displays an image collage of athletes. The audience includes individuals in wheelchairs.

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