January 28, 2026
OTTAWA, Ontario—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, will travel to the Kingdom of Norway from February 2 to 4, 2026, to take part in the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø, and meet with Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja, as well as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon, in Oslo.
From February 4 to 7, 2026, the Governor General will travel to the Kingdom of Denmark including Greenland. In Denmark, the Governor General will have an audience with His Majesty Frederik X, King of Denmark, and a courtesy call with Her Excellency Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark in Copenhagen. The Governor General will then travel to Greenland to meet with His Excellency Jens‑Frederik Nielsen, Prime Minister of Greenland, and attend the opening of the Canadian consulate in Nuuk.
During her time in Norway, the Governor General will highlight Canada’s commitment to Arctic collaboration, with a strong emphasis on people‑to‑people ties. She will also highlight the vital role of Indigenous and northern communities in shaping the future of the Arctic and foster Indigenous‑to‑Indigenous connections that support resilient Arctic societies.
In Denmark and Greenland, the visit will focus on reinforcing the close historic and cultural bonds between Inuit in Canada and Greenland, including through the opening of Canada’s first consulate in Nuuk. The visit will further strengthen Canada’s leadership in circumpolar collaboration by engaging the King of Denmark, the Danish prime minister and the Greenlandic prime minister, as well as other leaders, in discussions on shared approaches to Arctic sovereignty and governance; and by elevating Indigenous and Inuit voices in discussions on the future of Arctic communities.
The Governor General plays a key role in representing Canada and performing the duties of the head of State on behalf of the Sovereign in domestic and international events. By undertaking visits abroad, the Governor General builds on existing international relationships and strengthens ties across a broad range of sectors of Canadian life.
Quote
“The Arctic is stronger when nations work together. Canada’s long-standing approach is grounded in close, constructive engagement, supporting stability, respect for sovereignty and the well-being of northern communities. My upcoming visits to Norway, Denmark and Greenland reflect our commitment to building on already strong relationships with our Arctic partners.”
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada
Quick facts:
This will be Her Excellency’s first visit to Norway, Denmark and Greenland as governor general.
Mary Simon was ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2001 and served as Canada’s ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs from 1994 to 2003.
The last governor general to visit Norway was Michaëlle Jean, in 2009.
The last governor general to visit Denmark was Edward Schreyer, in 1981.
The only governor general who previously visited Greenland was Edward Schreyer, in 1982.
Many Canadians will take part in the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Norway (website available in English only), including Virginia Mearns, Arctic Ambassador.
The Governor General undertakes official international travel in support of the Government of Canada’s diplomatic, foreign policy and trade objectives.
"The visit will further strengthen Canada’s leadership in circumpolar collaboration" Huh? Maybe leadership is mis-understood by our liberal masters - would love to hear GG Simon's honest opinion of this Leadership and what concrete results have arisen as a result. I was in Nunavut from 2000-2005 and issues around food security and cost, a persistent housng crisis, health care and acccess in 25 communites, closing of Nanisivik's lead zinc mine and eventual Nanisivik Naval Facility (for some reason called "Harpers white elephant", despite 12 years of non-construction/progress by current party in power) - we don't lead, we talk, we blame, we write press announcements that having no grounding in any reality... This GG has REAL experience in the issues at hand but just reading that Wall of TEXT makes me loose all hope.
We need to change the conversation and focus, perhaps "The Arctic, Unification of the Inuit – Canada’s Moment - https://www.navalreview.ca/2025/04/the-arctic-unification-of-the-inuit-canadas-moment/" We already have Mary Simon making the rounds of countries that 'do', they might grasp this opporunity to change the conversation away from Trump - but still accomplish much of what's needed in any converstation about our arctic.
I hope the Nordic nations and Greenland are as impressed with GG Simon as many Canadians are!