Welcome to the official website of The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s 26th Governor General from 1999-2005. Madame Clarkson is universally acknowledged to have transformed the office during her six years at Rideau Hall and to have left an indelible mark on Canada’s history. She is the bestselling author of the 2014 CBC Massey Lectures Belonging: The Paradox of Citizenship, Heart Matters: A Memoir, Room for All of Us: Surprising Stories of Loss and Transformation, and a biography of Dr. Norman Bethune. She has made the astonishing journey from a penniless child refugee to an accomplished broadcaster and distinguished public servant in a multi-faceted lifetime and has received numerous prestigious awards and honorary degrees in Canada and abroad. In 2005, Madame Clarkson co-founded the Institute for Canadian Citizenship to help new citizens in Canada integrate into Canadian life. In 2006, she established the Clarkson Cup, the championship trophy for Women’s Hockey. Since 2007, she has been the Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. A Privy Councillor and Companion of the Order of Canada, she lives in Toronto.

NEWS AND EVENTS 

June 28 and 29, 2023 - PPCLI Change of Command (1 PPCLI) and Change of Appointment of COR in Edmonton

June 22, 2023 - Peter Herrndorf’s Celebration of Life at Koerner Hall

June 15, 2023 - National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund: Materials for Creation writing submission

June 14, 2023 - What’s NeXT?! The Future of Worth: Leveraging the Longevity Dividend keynote speech as NIA’s Honorary Chair

June 13, 2023 - Presentation of The Canadian Journalism Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Haroon Siddiqui

June 9, 2023 - Ontario Tech University Convocation - Honorary Degree

June 7, 2023 - Luminato’s Walk with Amal honorary grandmother remarks at Nathan Philips Square

May 31, 2023 - Jumpstart Refugee Talent tweet

May 29, 2023 - Love Earth: A Celebration of David Suzuki - video submission

May 29, 2023 - State Visit of the President of Iceland

May 24, 2023 - The Living Sea - Fragile Beauty: A Conversation with Prince Hussain Aga Khan at the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre, Toronto

May 12, 2023 - PPCLI Annual General Meeting at Niagara-on-the-Lake

May 9, 2023 - Dr. Stephen Hwang discusses the intersection of homelessness and healthcare at the York Club

May 3, 2023 - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Asian Employee Network keynote speech for Asian Heritage Month

April 30, 2023 - CSDA Sundays: The Expert Series - Constitutional Symbols of Turtle Island/Canada video submission

April 24, 2023 - State Visit to Canada by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany

April 18, 2023 - Book Launch: ‘Unlikely Insider’ by Jack Austin at Massey College

April 14, 2023 - Université de l’Ontario français campus visit

April 4, 2023 - Keynote speech for 5th Annual Diversifying the Federal Supply Chain Summit

March 29, 2023 - Conversation with Cantor Gideon Zelermyer at AGO’s Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows Exhibition

March 28, 2023 - The Walrus’ Canadian Time Machine podcast: 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Decoration of Bravery

March 27, 2023 - Canadian International Council’s Inaugural Bill Graham Lecture Series with Bob Rae and Margaret MacMillan - introduction

March 14, 2023 - ICC: The National Ballet of Canada Creates Unforgettable Cultural Experience for Canoo Members

March 7, 2023 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses Canadian Parliament

March 3, 2023 - Op Ed in the Globe and Mail: If Canada loses its citizenship ceremonies, we risk losing ourselves

February 3, 2023 - Osgoode Hall tree removal protest against Metrolinx

January 27, 2023 - Massey College Clarkson Laureateship High Table

November 24, 2022 - The History of Social Change: 75th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Canadian Citizenship Act video submission

November 11, 2022 - PPCLI National Remembrance Day Ceremony at Beechwood Cemetary

November 7, 2022 - Kulturaustausch: Journal for International Perspectives: What Couldn’t You Do Without? submission

October 30, 2022 - Ageless International Film Festival: Hallelujah panel

October 30, 2022 - Ageless International Film Festival: Company of Strangers panel with Cynthia Scott

October 28, 2022 - Theater of War: The Long-Term Care Trilogy: King Lear reading

October 27, 2022 - Duty Council Day video contribution

October 25, 2022 - Council for Canadian American Relations 50th Anniversary Gala

October 23, 2022 - Ageless International Film Festival: Freedom of Expression panel with Bon Rae

October 19, 2022 - Women’s College Hospital Women’s Age Lab’s End Gendered Ageism Twitter Chat (#EGA_Chat)

October 13, 2022 - Art of Time Ensemble: A Singer Must Die reading

October 6, 2022 - ICC’s LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture 2022: Her Excellency, the Rt Hon Mary Simon followed by roundtables the next day at University of Calgary

October 4, 2022 - Church of the Redeemer’s Season of Creation: Panel Discussion – What If…

October 1, 2022 - 20th Anniversary of the MacKenzie Papineau Battalion Monument unveiling in Ottawa

September 27, 2022 - PEN Canada/TIFA’s Freedom to Write and to Read: Standing with Salman Rushdie

September 26, 2022 - Presentation of “Dish with one spoon” wampum belt by Former Chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Myeengun Henry

September 25, 2022 - His Highness the Aga Khan receives Key to the City of Toronto and naming of Wynford Drive to Aga Khan Boulevard Ceremony

September 19, 2022 - National Commemorative Ceremony in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Ottawa

September 15, 2022 - Supporting Canada’s Newcomers and Refugees (Toronto Star/Media Planet)

September 9, 2022 - CBC The Current on the Queen’s death

August 29, 2022 - CBC Ontario Today’s Ed Lawrence retires after 40 years of gardening advice

June 13, 2022 - Virtual chat with students from Adrienne Clarkson PS in Richmond Hill

June 10, 2022 - Digging Deep podcast with Mark Sutcliffe

June 3, 2022 - York Club Jubilee Gala - keynote speech

June 3, 2022 - CBC TV’s The Queen and Canada - Celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration

May 25, 2022 - German Embassy awarding of the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit

May 14, 2022 - Forward for Humanity Tiffany Circle - Canadian Red Cross women philanthropists - keynote speech

April 29, 2022 - Employment Equity Partners’ Roundtable 2022 with Her Excellency Mary Simon and GCP

April 22, 2022 - Earth Day Citizenship Ceremony with David Suzuki - opening remarks

April 12, 2022 - United Nations - Older Women Rock the World: The Right to Participation and Those Who Make it Happen (ILC Canada) - keynote speech

April 8, 2022 - KESKUS International Estonian Centre breaking ground ceremony - opening remarks

March 15, 2022 - PEN Canada: The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson in Conversation with Colm Tóibín

March 3, 2022 - Live Twitter chat on ageism and the rights of older people - SE Health’s Ageism: Check your bias (#AgeWithRights)

February 2-3, 2022 - 2022 IRCC BC-Yukon Summit: Emerging Minds and Modes - Big picture conversations and ideas sharing on topics such as Immigration, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and truth-telling and reconciliation - keynote speech

January 21, 2022 - Massey College Clarkson Laureate High Table

November 12, 2021 - The Honest Talk - Honest conversations with leading women. Hosted by Catherine Clark and Jennifer Stewart

October 27, 2021 - National Duty Counsel Day - Recognizing the legal aid lawyers making access to justice possible for millions of Canadians - remarks

July 8, 2021 - Writer, broadcaster, 26th Governor General and... failed triangle player? The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson talks about the "brilliant" Stewart Goodyear + Chopin, her mother + Koerner Hall. Watch Music of My Life now: https://bit.ly/3qVkw6V

June 23, 2021 - Global Centre for Pluralism - Bahiya: The Little Zebra Book Launch - remarks

June 11, 2021 - The Ismaili Canada Friday Night Reflections: Combatting Hatred and Intolerance - A Collective Responsibility - remarks

May 27, 2021 - Canadian Immigration Virtual Summit 2021: Bold Ideas for Canada’s Immigration Future

May 20, 2021 - Give an #EqualChance to all doctors: Take action against the unfair barriers faced by internationally trained medical doctors in Canada

May 19, 2021 - Global Centre for Pluralism - Maaza Mengiste Delivers 8th Annual Pluralism Lecture

May 17, 2021 - Launch of Citizenship Week - ICC Enhanced Citizenship Ceremony featuring Col. Chris Hadfield

May 4, 2021 - Carleton’s Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism Book Launch: A Portrait of Canada’s Parliament

April 24, 2021 - Hidden Hate: Anti-Asian Racism | Global News special

March 31, 2021 - U of T News: Multi-language U of T project celebrates 700th anniversary of Dante's death

March 23, 2021 - Against the Grain Theatre - From the Director’s Chair: The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson

March 10, 2021 - HeForShe at UofG 2021 - Let’s stand up for gender equality!

March 9, 2021 - ZontaKW’s International Women’s Day 2021 - Stimulate your mind: an interview with Daeine Vernile

January 22, 2021 - Massey College Clarkson Laureate High Table

January 20, 2021 - Saskatoon Open Door Society’s THREADS: Cultural Conversations - an interview with CBC’s Omayra Issa

January 2021 - How to Fix Democracy S3, ep. 1 - Interviews on democracy’s past, present and future

December 17, 2020 - Library and Archives Canada Signatures Interview

December 14, 2020 - UNHCR’s “Tastes From Home Cookbook” with recipe for Chinese poached chicken

December 10, 2020 - The Empire Club of Canada: National Builder of the Year Award 2020 - Recognizing Canada’s front line workers, the men and women who kept us safe and functioning during the most severe pandemic to hit the world in over a century.

December 8, 2020 - COC’s podcast Key Change Episode 4: Making Theatre Magic

November 5, 2020 - Trinity Alumni Magazine - Fall Questionnaire

October 20, 2020 - Canadian Doctors for Protection From Guns - Day of Action

October 7, 2020 - Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson on COVID-19, misinformation, and discrimination by Sejla Rizvic

September 21-23 & October 15, 2020 - The first digital-only 6 Degrees 2020 is held during the pandemic and powerful movements around the world

September 10, 2020 - Sen. Sinclair to be awarded Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship

August 12, 2020 - Tortoise ThinkIn: Do women really make better leaders?

July 21, 2020 - Ottawa Chamberfest - Chamber Chats: At Home, Chez Vous with Adrienne Clarkson

July 1, 2020 - Celebration of Citizenship - Canada's first cross-country virtual citizenship ceremony

June 4, 2020 - GGconversations with Adrienne Clarkson

May 20. 2020 - New campaign aims to inoculate Canadians against hate amid COVID-19 #StandTogether video puts human face on new Canadians working on front line

May 19, 2020 - Massey Dialogues: The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson on Being Old in the Time of Coronavirus

May 2020 - Pluralism and the Pandemic - “We Are in This Together”:
How Our Shared Fragility Reminds Us of Our Shared Humanity

May 8, 2020 - Friday Night at the GhostLight

April 2, 2020 - NAC Stories with Margaret Atwood

February 18, 2020 - 6 Degrees Berlin 2020 is taking place at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin

January 20, 2020 - Everyone’s Canada - Here's what the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson had to say about helping new citizens in Canada integrate into Canadian life

December 17, 2019 - NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia

November 20, 2019 - 2019 Global Pluralism Award

November 11, 2019 - 6 Degrees Ciudad de México 2019 is taking place at the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City

October 9, 2019 - Meridian Arts Centre: TO Live Presents Mandela features a display with a photo of Madame Clarkson with Mandela at Rideau Hall in 2002

August 22, 2019 - Roméo Dallaire to receive 2019 Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship

March 22, 2019 — Former Governor General likes that her Clarkson Cup keeps hockey Canadian.

March 14, 2019 - 6 Degrees Calgary 2019 is taking place at the Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby at Arts Commons in Calgary

November 2, 2018 — I’m No Longer Governor General, But I Still Serve Canada.

September 14, 2018 — Canada’s civic vocabulary is broken. How can we fix it? A user’s guide to inclusion.

May 2, 2018 -- Globe and Mail Op Ed - Celebrating 60 years of the Aga Khan - and a special relationship with Canada

December 14, 2017 -- Madame Clarkson pays tribute to Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin on the occasion of her retirement Gala Dinner at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. An excerpt of her speech was published in the Globe and Mail.

September 27, 2017 -- Ai Weiwei receives the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship.

July 28, 2017 -- Artist Ai Weiwei to receive 2017 Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship at 6 Degrees Citizen Space at Koerner Hall in Toronto the evening of Wednesday, September 27th. 

June 30, 2017 -- Madame Clarkson speaks in Paris at UNESCO's High-Level Meeting, Soft Power Today: Fostering Women's Empowerment and Leadership, delivering the keynote for the Leadership and Power - Women in Politics session. 

April 24, 2017 -- 6 Degrees Vancouver: Are You Home? is taking place at SFU Public Square in Vancouver, B.C. To learn more about the one-day event, click here.

April 3, 2017 -- At the invitation of the City of The Hague, 6 Degrees Den Haag is taking place at The Peace Palace in the Netherlands.

February 1st, 2017 -- We Must Remember that Canadians Are Not Immune to Racism, an excerpt from Madame Clarkson's speech delivered to new Canadians at a citizenship ceremony at Rideau Hall, was published in the Globe and Mail. 

September 21st, 2016 -- The inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship is presented to His Highness the Aga Khan. Watch the video homage to His Highness here, and read His Highness' remarks delivered during the prize-giving ceremony here.

September 19th, 2016 -- Recipient of the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship announced.

September 19th, 2016 -- Madame Clarkson on Metro Morning with Matt Galloway to talk about 6 Degrees Citizen Space. Listen to the interview here.

August 19th, 2016 -- From the Globe and Mail and 6 Degrees Citizen Space series Experiments in Pluralism: In making room for others, we make room for ourselves – and for Canada. 

June 13th, 2016 -- The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) announces 6 Degrees Citizen Space - A Global Forum on Citizenship and Inclusion in the 21st Century, a bold new initiative to take place in Toronto, Canada September 19th-21st, 2016. Information available at www.6degreesto.com

May 13th, 2016 -- Read Madame Clarkson's contribution to the Globe and Mail Experiments in Pluralism series here; Indigenous languages are vital to telling Canada’s story. The essay series is devoted to exploring Canada’s emerging identity as an experimental society.

April 19th, 2016 -- The Ottawa Peace Talks took place in Canada in partnership with the Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace. View Madame Clarkson's Peace Talk here.

January 27th, 2016 -- A Celebration of Life for Maurice Strong took place in Ottawa. Tributes to this great Canadian were published in the Ottawa Citizen and the Globe and Mail: Cohen: Maurice Strong was the Earth's Mr. Fix-It and Maurice Strong remembered for putting environmental issues on global stage.

October 8th, 2015 -- Madame Clarkson's op-ed, Canada Knows How To Respond To A Refugee Crisis, was published in the International New York Times on Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

September 20th, 2015 -- Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi delivered the annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium Lecture in Stratford Saturday, September 19th, 2015. Watch his lively and profound keynote address, as well as Mayor Nenshi's accompanying editorial in the Globe and Mail.

September 16th, 2015 -- Madame Clarkson delivered the Opening Keynote at the 2015 International New York Times Athens Democracy Forum September 15th, 2015. Watch her address here.