Governors general can no longer bill government for casual and business clothing

Rideau Hall changed its clothing guidelines during Governor General Louise Arbour's transition to office to explicitly state that the King's representative to Canada cannot bill taxpayers for casual outfits or business attire.

The guidelines now say governors general can only be reimbursed for "distinct wardrobe requirements" needed to represent the monarch and country.

That spending can include outfits for formal and black-tie events or "very special occasions such as a coronation," the office said.

Other normal, everyday casual and business attire for the Governor General and their spouse will not be reimbursed.

Before this change, the clothing allowance was open to interpretation. Over the years, governors general faced scrutiny after itemized lists of their clothing purchases were made public in Parliament. The Conservatives, who asked for the lists, described the spending as lavish.

The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General told CBC News it's still in the process of reviewing its financial support for governors general, including the clothing allowance.

During the last review in 2021, Rideau Hall said it cut back the clothing allowance by 35 per cent. Governors general can expense a maximum of $130,000 over five years for outfits.

That allowance could be further scaled back during the ongoing review.

The documents tabled in Parliament include expenses from Sept. 2017 until March 2025. Former governor general Mary Simon charged taxpayers more than $45,000 for clothing in just under four years. Her predecessor, Julie Payette, spent more than $50,000 in just over three years in office.

Some of the outfits were worn at specific events, such as Simon's $997 raven silk capelet made by a Haida designer. The capelet was donned at a ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of finding potential unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and later to welcome the Pope to Canada.

However, other items appear to be daily business and casual attire.

Conservative MP Tamara Jansen asked the Secretary to the Governor General Ken MacKillop during a parliamentary committee in early May if "taxpayers [would] be expected to pay for professional attire" for Arbour.

MacKillop said they look at the clothing allowance every year "to see how it can be adjusted."

This week, MacKillop's office sent the now revised clothing guidelines to MPs on that committee, as first reported by Blacklock's Reporter.

Carolyn Harris, a historian and royal commentator, said for decades governors general — especially women — have faced a lot of scrutiny over their fashion choices, including being called too extravagant or too simple.

She said Rideau Hall decided to establish clear guidelines at the start of Arbour's mandate to avoid the types of controversies her predecessors dealt with.

"Rideau Hall is sending a message that there is going to be consistency going forward regarding the clothing allowance," said Harris.

"There are not going to be the kinds of ambiguities that invite discussion and debate and criticism … the ground rules are going to be set from day one."

Simon's expensed clothing items include a $1,250 long red silk jacket with black beading of traditional Inuit tattoo symbols for formal events and a $1,500 beaded sealskin chest piece for official events in Nunavut.

There are also about 50 clothing items out of more than 100 that don't specifically list events they were worn, the documents show. Those include $228 grey crepe pants, a $178 scoop neck tank top to be worn under a blazer and a $225 burgundy skirt.

The documents tabled in Parliament note Simon donated her workwear to charity before she became Governor General.

Just under 90 items expensed by Payette include a $3,000 black velvet dress with silk lining and $445 Ecru Apparel hat. Her list also featured what appeared to be basic items including $78 for three T-shirts and a $65 "quarter-zip black pullover sweater."

It's possible Payette and Simon wore these more casual or business attire to events for their representational duties. The documents do not specifically confirm if these items were considered everyday casual clothing or business attire.

The clothing allowance dates back to the 1980s and was created to ensure governors general have the specific clothing required for extreme conditions, formal wear and different cultural or religious conventions in Canada and abroad, a document tabled in 2025 said.

Harris said while the allowance should be reviewed based on public engagements, some degree of allowance for clothing is "reasonable."

The Governor General represents the monarch and country on the world stage and meets with foreign heads of state, ambassadors and the royal family. Their salary for 2026 is $393,800.

"There is a public image that is expected in terms of showcasing Canada and Canadian designers," said Harris, who is also a history instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

Barbara Messamore, a history professor at the University of the Fraser Valley in B.C., said "there is a need for vigilance about creeping expenses," but said more attention is paid to female governors general's clothing. She said men in the role can "get away with alternating some inconspicuous dark suits."

A clothing allowance averaging about $10,000 a year, Messamore said, does not "seem excessive, especially given the need for formal and ceremonial garments."

"Mary Simon's choices were often made with a view to showcasing the work of Canadian designers and especially Canadian Indigenous designers," she said. "And these lovely designs often did draw attention and positive comment."

Rideau Hall said governors general can keep the clothing the government paid for during their mandates.

The office said in the past it was looking for ways to publicly display specific items worn by Simon because of the historic nature of her mandate as Canada's first Indigenous governor general.