Overview
- Louise Arbour will be installed as Canada’s governor general on June 8, replacing Mary Simon after King Charles III approved the appointment.
- The Liberal majority restored legislation that would shift investigations and prosecutions of sexual offences involving military members to civilian courts, reflecting Arbour’s 2022 recommendation.
- Government MPs voted down a Conservative proposal that would have allowed victims to choose between the military and civilian systems for their cases.
- Opposition MPs and some survivors questioned the timing and a perceived conflict because Arbour could later grant Royal Assent, while the Privy Council Office and a constitutional scholar said assent is a duty the governor general must perform once Parliament passes a bill.
- MPs are preparing for a third‑reading debate before the bill moves to the Senate, as some complainants report their military police files were closed when Ottawa announced a shift of ongoing cases to civilian authorities.