Ottawa, July 6, 2021

The Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association (AMBCANADA) extends its
warmest congratulations to Mary Simon following her appointment as
Canada’s Governor General Designate.

Ms. Simon served as Canada’s first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs from
1994-2004, and concurrently, as Ambassador to Denmark from 1999 – 2002.

“We are truly delighted to witness the appointment of one of Canada’s
former Ambassadors to this important position,” stated Abbie Dann,
President of the Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association.

“Those who worked with Governor General Designate Simon in her years as
a diplomat agree unanimously that Ms. Simon’s professionalism and
compelling dedication were fundamental to the advancement of complex
and delicate files that required discerning vision and creativity .”

“In addition to being an outstanding professional, Ms. Simon is also deeply
respected among her colleagues for the critical role she played in concrete
advocacy on behalf of Indigenous peoples in Canada including those resident
in the far North.

“We are very proud to think that a fellow diplomat will be stepping into the
role of Governor General at this significant and challenging time in Canada’s
history, and we stand ready to support her work however we can, ”
emphasized AMBCANADA’s President.

AMBCANADA is a not-for-profit association that connects more than 300
former Canadian Ambassadors who share over 3000 years of combined
experience in diplomacy. Its members contribute over 100 plus publications
and interviews a year to public discourse on Canada’s international relations,
and mentor outgoing Heads of Mission in collaboration with Global Affairs
Canada.

AMBCANADA also sponsors two scholarships to support Canadian graduate
students interested in international affairs. In 2020, AMBCANADA
announced that one of these scholarships will be dedicated to an Indigenous
graduate student. Since then over $10,000 has been raised to support this
scholarship, established in cooperation with Carleton University’s School of
Public Policy and NPSIA – the Norman Paterson School of International
Affairs.

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For further Information please contact: Abbie Dann, President of
AMBCANADA, abbiecanada@hotmail.com, 613-422-2908 /
Mob: 613-863-4568 or Lillian Thomsen, Director, Communications and
Media, lillianthomsenottawa@gmail.com, 613-983-9483.
Website: www.ambcanada.ca