The Canada Atlas

Learn / People who shaped Canada

Adrienne Clarkson

26th Governor General · born 1939

Adrienne Clarkson
Andrew Rusk · CC BY 2.0

Arrived as a refugee at three and came back to the same country as its head of state.

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Life story

  1. February 10, 1939 · Hong Kong
    Born in Hong Kong
  2. 1942 · Ottawa
    Came to Canada as a refugee after the fall of Hong Kong, admitted despite the exclusion laws
  3. 1965 · Toronto
    Began two decades as a CBC journalist and host
  4. October 7, 1999 · Rideau Hall, Ottawa
    Installed as Governor General, the first of Chinese descent and the first since 1952 with no political or military career
  5. 2003 · Iqaluit, Nunavut
    Made a long northern tour that pushed Arctic sovereignty up the agenda
  6. 2005 · Toronto
    Co-founded the Institute for Canadian Citizenship on leaving office

Sources