![Gov. Gen. Mary Simon named honorary chief commissioner of Canadian Coast Guard](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7252239.1719943356!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/mary-simon.jpg)
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon named honorary chief commissioner of Canadian Coast Guard
CBC
Gov. Gen Mary Simon has been named honorary chief commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Simon received the title at an investiture ceremony in St. John's on Tuesday morning. The role, established in 1976, involves the Governor General taking part in national events to promote the work done by the coast guard in saving lives and protecting Canada's marine environment.
"It's so important to support the coast guard. They do such important work. So I'm very pleased about that," Simon told reporters shortly after Tuesday's ceremony.
Simon, who is from Kangiqsualujjuaq in Nunavik, said she knows first-hand the how much the organization's work means in the North, where people are mostly isolated. Her grandson is a coast guard member working in the North today.
"We don't have a lot of monitoring systems in the North, so when there's a need for rescue they come and help us out," she said.
The Governor General is spending the week in Newfoundland and Labrador on official business, taking in Monday's Memorial Day service — which included the entombment of Newfoundland's Unknown Soldier — in St. John's.
The rest of the week will be filled with meetings. Simon said she has already met with Premier Andrew Furey, Lt.-Gov. Joan Marie Aylward and some community organizations. There will also be roundtables on mental health and a visit to Labrador.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.