Premier Horgan greets Governor General Mary Simon

Prime Minister John Horgan welcomed Their Excellencies the Right Honorable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser, on their first official visit to British Columbia.

“It is an honor to welcome Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General to our province on behalf of all British Columbians,” said Premier Horgan. “Her Excellency is a true inspiration to Canadians, especially as we move forward on the path to meaningful reconciliation.

Premier Horgan joined the Honorable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Chief Robert Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation and Chief Ronald Sam of the Songhees Nation to welcome the Governor General outside of the Parliament Buildings.

The Governor General was greeted by a performance by the traditional Lekwungen dancers of the Songhees Nation and received a 21-gun salute fired by the 5th Field Artillery Regiment (British Columbia) of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery . The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific played the Vice-Regal Salute in honor of his visit.

The Governor General inspected the Honor Guard, made up of members of Maritime Forces Pacific and Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, before being escorted to the Parliament Buildings to sign the Distinguished Visitors Book and meet the Prime Minister Horgan.

The official visit also included a meeting with First Nations leaders and a tour of the Orange Shirt Exhibit which commemorates those affected by the residential school experience and loss.

The Governor General will participate in several events during her visit to British Columbia