“The best moment of my life” — Bocce athlete interviews Governor General

Tanner Svenson has a leg up on almost every hockey broadcaster in Canada. 

His resume includes an interview with the Governor General of Canada.

While the majority of hockey broadcasters have interviewed players, coaches, and officials connected with hockey, likely only a handful have had the opportunity to interview the Governor General of Canada, as Svenson did Wednesday afternoon at the Rotary Track during the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026.

Svenson, a 23-year-old from Prince Albert who is a provincial champion Special Olympics bocce player, has a burgeoning career as a hockey broadcaster in his hometown. He is a graduate of the Special Olympics North America’s media training program and began working last year as a broadcaster for the U18 AAA Prince Albert Mintos. He started as a colour commentator and expanded into doing play by play. Because of his media experience, Games’ officials decided he would be the perfect athlete to interview Her Excellency, the Hon. Louise Arbour, Canada’s Governor General who has graced the Games with her presence.

Planning for Wednesday’s seven-minute interview began about 10 months ago, said Games’ Director of Communications Sean Rooney. “It was magical,” he said. “Tanner was great.”

When Svenson was first approached about the possibility of interviewing the Governor General, he said he “definitely felt a lot of pressure.”

“Wow, I thought, this is the highest-ranking person in Canada. I always thought it was the Prime Minister, but the Governor General is even above him.”

With his proud parents Taryn and Mike among a small group watching the 1-on-1 interview, Svenson handled the proceedings like a pro — or with the ease of rolling a bocce ball across the court. He had a number of questions prepared for his big moment and he delivered them flawlessly. Through the seven minutes, it seemed like more of a friendly conversation among friends.

“She’s a normal person, just like anyone else. She was easy to talk to,” said Svenson.

“It was definitely a big moment in my life.”

The one answer that stood out in his mind was her response to his question about advice to young Canadians about their future. “She was having a little trouble with her answer, so I just said ‘Just be yourself,’ and she agreed with that.”

When the week is over and the Saskatchewan bocce team returns to the Wheat Province, what will Svenson remember most vividly? Possibly winning a gold medal, or his interview with one of the most influential people in Canada?

“‘I think the highlight right now will be talking to the Governor General,” he said. “This morning I did really well (winning his first bocce game 12-0), but that’s only one game. I have two games to go (in the round robin).”

Tanner said he will never forget this week. “Never, never. If I had to rank it, it would be 10 out of 10. Probably the best moment of my life.”

Svenson’s media profile says competing in Special Olympics has “helped me stay active, meet great people, and feel like I truly belong. As someone with autism, it has given me confidence and a community where I am accepted for who I am. It has helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person.”

His media profile goes on to list some of his goals for the Summer Games and one of those goals was to “meet new people.”

Little did he know 12 months ago that one of those new people would be the Governor General of Canada. But just like his talent on the bocce court, he aced the challenge.

— story by Bruce Penton, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games; Colton McKee videographer, Andrew Parry producer