Governor General calls 2022 ‘monumental’, mourns Queen Elizabeth II in NYE message – National

The Governor General of Canada says 2022 has been a « difficult and monumental year » marked by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Governor General Mary Simon, who is the monarch’s representative in Canada, remembered the Queen’s death in her annual New Year’s message.

She died in September after celebrating 70 years on the throne, the longest reign of any British monarch.

Simon says that over the past year, Canadians have also witnessed devastating weather events caused by climate change and continued to experience the emotions of the discovery of what are believed to be the unmarked graves of Aboriginal children at former residential school sites.

Simon, who is Inuit, also spoke of those in northern and remote parts of Canada who live in darkness during the winter and use this time to “tell stories, recharge and move forward together”.

Simon, the country’s first Indigenous Governor General, encouraged Canadians to do the same and reach out to their friends and neighbours.