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[Screen Description: Governor General Designate Mary Simon is sitting in a room at Rideau Hall. She is talking to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II via video call. The Governor General Designate is wearing a white blazer. The Queen is wearing a floral-patterned, green-and-purple shirt, and a silver maple leaf brooch.]

[The Queen:] It’s very nice to have a chance to talk.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, Your Majesty, it’s wonderful to … to be able to speak to you today.

[The Queen:] So, you’re taking over a very important job.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’m very privileged to be able to do this work over the next few years. I think it’s vitally important for our … for our country.

[The Queen:] Indeed, yes. Because your work… your own work has been … you’ve been very busy.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’ve devoted a lot of my time to working on Arctic issues, because I am from the Arctic...

[The Queen:] Yes. Yes.

[Ms. Simon:] … and also working to get a lot of things organized with the Indigenous peoples and the Inuit of Canada.

[Screen Description: The screen reads: “Mary Simon – Governor General of Canada,” followed by “Gouverneure générale du Canada.” The background is dark grey and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall.]

[Screen Description: Her Excellency is sitting in a room at Rideau Hall. She is wearing a grey and purple jacket. She is also wearing a Platinum Jubilee pin and an Order of Canada pin. Photos of Her Excellency and Her Majesty The Queen taking part in various events are displayed throughout the video.]

Hello, bonjour, [greeting in inuktitut].

This year, we mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Growing up in Northern Quebec, my grandmother would show us pictures of The Queen. Her Majesty was revered in the Arctic, since the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples is considered sacred.

For the past 70 years, Her Majesty has been a reassuring and constant figure of compassion and poise. She has seen the evolution of our country first-hand during her many visits to Canada, which she calls her "second home."

Much has changed in the last seven decades. We extended the hand of friendship to nations around the world. We made advancements in medical research, most recently with vaccines. We established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and took part in its work. We saw the first Canadian named governor general, then the first woman and now, the first Indigenous person. 

We should be proud of our diverse and inclusive society, and what we have accomplished together.

In communities from coast to coast to coast, people are marking the jubilee by paying tribute to the only monarch many of us have ever known.

All across the country, you will see the unique emblem created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority for this important occasion. Just one of the many commemorations during this important year.

I would like to congratulate Her Majesty on the Platinum Jubilee.

Thank you for your steadfast dedication towards our collective well-being.