Media advisory - Governor General to undertake first official visit to Ontario

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, Governor General of Canada, will undertake her first official visit to Ontario from September 21 to 22, 2026. This marks the Governor General's first official visit within Canada as governor general.

Throughout the visit, she will meet with provincial officials, including Their Honours the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mr. Tony Viscardi; the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; and with Indigenous leaders. As commander-in-chief of Canada, she will engage with veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The program will also provide opportunities for Her Excellency to pursue activities focusing on social innovation, civic engagement and youth.

Official visits provide opportunities for the Governor General, on behalf of Canadians, to meet with and recognize people who are making a difference in a range of fields.

Itinerary
Note: All local times. 

Toronto, Ontario

Monday, September 21, 2026

8 a.m.
Official welcoming ceremony with military honours
The Governor General will arrive at Queen's Park with a mounted escort where she will be greeted by the Lieutenant Governor and her spouse, the Premier of Ontario and the Honourable Donna Skelly, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. She will then receive the "Vice-Regal Salute" and a 21-gun salute, and perform an inspection of the guard.
Queen's Park 
OPEN TO MEDIA AND POOLED COVERAGE 
Learn more about the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Media Contact: for information on pooled coverage, please contact Hannah Jensen at [email protected].

Courtesy call with the Premier of Ontario 
Premier's Office, Queen's Park
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about the Office of the Premier of Ontario 

Meetings with Indigenous leaders
Queen's Park
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY

Courtesy call with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 
Speaker's Office, Queen's Park
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about the Speaker's Office 

Courtesy call with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 
Lieutenant Governor's Suite, Queen's Park
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Media contact: 
Pascale Guillotte, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: [email protected] 

Presentation of Canadian Honours
The Governor General will preside over a Canadian honours ceremony in recognition of exceptional achievement and service. Five Ontarians will be honoured during the ceremony.
Lieutenant Governor's Suite, Queen's Park
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY 

List of Ontarians being recognised at the ceremony
Learn more about Canadian Honours

2:15 p.m.
Stop at Newcomer Kitchen
The Governor General will meet with program graduates and new participants of Newcomer Kitchen, a social enterprise that uses food as a catalyst for economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and social inclusion. The program supports newcomer women as they build successful businesses and strong community connections.
Trinity-St. Paul's United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts, 427 Bloor Street West
OPEN TO MEDIA
Learn more about Newcomer Kitchen
Media contact:
Cara Benjamin-Pace, [email protected] 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

11:20 a.m.
Engagement with veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
The Governor General will meet with veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War, and learn about the role of the Simulation Centre in advancing health care education, training and innovation.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

1:40 p.m.
Stop at CNIB Fragrant Garden
The Governor General will tour the CNIB's historic Fragrant Garden, one of Canada's first publicly accessible sensory gardens. Her Excellency will plant a perennial within the garden, as a symbol of growth, accessibility and inclusion.
1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
OPEN TO MEDIA – photo opportunity during the ceremonial planting
Media contact: Caitlyn Crews, Manager, Marketing and Executive Communications: Caitlyn[email protected]
Learn more about CNIB

3:05 p.m.
Discussion with students and faculty at York University
The Governor General will engage with students and staff on emerging artificial intelligence (AI) research and its societal applications. Her Excellency will then take part in a moderated discussion on trust, human rights and the foundations of democratic society.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about York University

7 p.m.
Visit to the Governor General's Horse Guards regimental headquarters
As colonel of the Regiment of the Governor General's Horse Guards (GGHG), Her Excellency will visit the GGHG unit, marking the first visit by a governor general to Denison Armoury in more than 35 years.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Learn more about the GGHG

Quick Facts

• This visit is part of a larger objective to engage with Canadians from across the country by visiting each province and territory.
• During the visit, the Governor General will also take the opportunity to recognize Canadians who inspire excellence through the presentation of honours and awards. 
• The Governor General plays an important role in helping to bring awareness to issues, and to profile the diverse communities that make up our country.

Notes for media:

• Members of the media must confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office and the media contacts listed above.
• Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via [email protected].
• Media members can follow the Governor General's visit and activities at www.gg.ca.

Stay connected: Follow GovernorGeneralCanada on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

SOURCE Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

Media information: Rideau Hall Press Office: 343-573-7563, [email protected]