Name/Title
2026 - 18 April - Canadian Grenadier Guards Change of Command Parade between incoming Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Gagnon, CD and outgoing CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre Dionne, CD officiated by Colonel David Shane, commandant du 34e Groupe-brigade du Canada and CGG's Colonel and 30th Governor General of Canada, HE Mary Jeannie May Simon (ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ) CC CMM COM OQ CD FRCGSDescription
2026 - 18 April - Canadian Grenadier Guards Change of Command Parade between incoming Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Gagnon, CD and outgoing CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre Dionne, CD officiated by Colonel David Shane, commandant du 34e Groupe-brigade du Canada and CGG's Colonel and 30th Governor General of Canada, HE Mary Jeannie May Simon (ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ) CC CMM COM OQ CD FRCGS
On March 12, 2026, the Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief Mary Simo officiated over the Change of Command Ceremony at CGG's Home Station Armoury in Montreal, Quebec. This is a long-standing tradition of military precision, polish and pageantry. She then joined members of The Regimental Family, including many veterans and former Commanding Officers for several introductions and CGG presentations.
ABOUT CGG's COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT
HE Mary Jeannie May Simon, CC CMM COM OQ CD FRCGS (born August 21, 1947) is a Canadian civil servant, diplomat, and former broadcaster who served as the 30th governor general of Canada from 2021 to 2026. She is Inuk on her mother's side, making her the first Indigenous person to hold the office. Simon was born in Fort Severight (now Kangiqsualujjuaq), Quebec. She briefly worked as a producer and announcer for the CBC Northern Service in the 1970s before entering public service, serving on the board of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association and playing a key role in the Charlottetown Accord negotiations. She was Canada's first ambassador for circumpolar affairs from 1994 to 2004, as well as a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council. She also served as the Canadian ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2002.
On July 6, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved Simon's appointment as governor general, succeeding HE Julie Payette, CC CMM COM CQ CD FCAE. She is also Canada’s Commander-in-Chief and was the Canadian Governor General to represent HM Queen Elizabeth II, prior to representing His Majesty King Charles III and fulfilling constitutional and ceremonial duties and With Queen Elizabeth II's death on September 8, 2022, Simon became the first governor general to serve under two monarchs since Lord Tweedsmuir in 1936.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
July 4, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
July 5, 2026
