Gov. Gen. Mary Simon participates in an interview at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

By Canadian Press

Chief justice to stand in for Simon on Remembrance Day due to illness

Nov 11, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Rideau Hall says Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is recovering in hospital from a respiratory virus, leaving her unable to preside over the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Richard Wagner will fill in for Simon at the National War Memorial.

Rideau Hall did not specify the virus or say how long she has been in hospital, saying only that she was recovering and “doing well.”

The institution also asked that the public respect her privacy as she recovers from the illness.

Wagner will join this year’s National Silver Cross Mother, Nancy Payne, as she lays a wreath on behalf of Canadian mothers who lost their children due to military service.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan, Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight and other dignitaries will also attend the ceremony at the cenotaph.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2025.