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Appointment of New Governor General
September 8, 1999
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that, on his recommendation, the Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Mme Adrienne Clarkson as the next Governor General of Canada. Mme Clarkson will serve in succession to the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc.
Mme Clarkson will be available to the media at 11:30 a.m. in the Commonwealth Room, Room 238-S Centre Block on Parliament Hill.
The installation of Ms. Clarkson as Governor General will occur at 10:30 a.m. on October 7, 1999, in the Senate Chamber.
A biographical note is attached.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
Installation ceremony:
Jean-Paul Roy, Department of Canadian Heritage (819) 994-1353
Adrienne Clarkson, O.C.
Born in Hong Kong in 1939, Mme Clarkson came to Canada as a refugee with her family, during the war in 1942. She received her early education in the Ottawa public school system and later obtained an Honours B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She also did post-graduate work at the Sorbonne in France. Mme Clarkson is fluently bilingual.
A leading figure in Canada's cultural life, Mme Clarkson has had a rich and distinguished career in broadcasting, journalism, the arts and public service. From 1982 to 1987, Mme Clarkson served as the first Agent-General for Ontario in Paris, promoting Ontario's business and cultural interests in France, Italy and Spain. She was the President and Publisher of McClelland & Stewart from 1987 to 1988. From 1965 to 1982, Mme Clarkson worked as host, writer and producer of several influential programs on CBC Television, including Take Thirty, Adrienne at Large and the Fifth Estate. A noted writer, she also contributed numerous articles to major newspapers and magazines in Canada and wrote three books. In 1988, she assumed responsibilities as Executive Producer, Host and Writer for the programs Adrienne Clarkson's Summer Festival and Adrienne Clarkson Presents for a period of 10 years. She also wrote and directed several films. Her work in television has garnered her dozens of TV awards in Canada and the U.S.
Until today's announcement, Mme Clarkson served as Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec, as well as President of the Executive Board of IMZ, the international audio-visual association of music, dance and cultural programmers, based in Vienna. She was also the Executive Producer and Host of the CBC Television program, Something Special, a Lay Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada as well as Honorary Patron of a number of artistic and charitable organizations.
Mme Clarkson has received numerous prestigious awards both in Canada and abroad in recognition for her outstanding contribution in a variety of endeavours. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992, holds honorary doctorates from four Canadian universities, and received three honorary academic distinctions.
Mme Clarkson is married to the writer, John Ralston Saul.
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