Canada's new Governor General, Louise Arbour, has sparked a range of reactions in letters to the editor published by the Ottawa Citizen on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Some readers celebrate her appointment, while others express concerns about the institution's history and ongoing Indigenous issues.
A Star in the Making
Douglas Cornish of Ottawa writes that Arbour is a star. He notes that while some previous governors general have not performed well or sought the position for ego, Arbour stands out with her superior intellect, extensive global experience, and genuine humanitarian spirit. He believes she will unite Canadians and enhance the reputation of Rideau Hall.
Indigenous Perspective
Lynn Gehl, an Algonquin Anishinaabe member of Pikwakanagan First Nation, offers a different viewpoint. She states that as an Algonquin, she is not excited about the ceremony and ritual of installing a new Governor General on Parliament Hill. Gehl recounts a history of dispossession: despite Champlain recording the Algonquin in the Ottawa River Valley in the 1600s, their land and resources have been continually denied. She cites the 1763 Royal Proclamation, the creation of the Canadas, and the provincial-federal overlay that created Ontario and Quebec on their territory. The Algonquin were ignored in treaty processes, the 1764 Treaty of Niagara was obfuscated, and their holy land of Asinabka was desecrated by the fur trade and lumber industry. Today, a nuclear waste disposal site threatens their territory, and the land claim process in Ontario continues to deny them their rights.
Engaging with the Community
The Ottawa Citizen encourages readers to submit their opinions via letters@ottawacitizen.com. Guidelines for submissions are available online.
