Governor General of Canada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor General of Canada |
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Flag of the governor general
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Badge of the governor general
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| Style | |
| Abbreviation | GG |
| Residence |
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| Appointer | Monarch of Canada
on the advice of the prime minister
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| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure (generally 3 to 7 years) |
| Formation | 1 July 1867 |
| First holder | The Viscount Monck |
| Deputy | Deputies of the governor general
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| Salary | $342,100 annually |
The Governor General of Canada is the King or Queen's official representative in Canada. The King or Queen of Canada is also the head of state for 14 other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Since the King or Queen lives in the United Kingdom, they appoint a Governor General to act on their behalf in Canada. This person helps run the government of Canada in the monarch's name.
The Governor General usually serves for about five years, but this can change. Since 1959, it has been a tradition to pick someone who speaks French (francophone) and then someone who speaks English (anglophone) for the job. The current Governor General is Mary Simon, who started her role on July 26, 2021. She is an Inuk leader from Nunavik, Quebec, and is the first Indigenous person to hold this important position.
The Governor General handles the daily duties of the King or Queen in Canada. These duties include both official government tasks and special ceremonies. For example, they appoint important judges and senators. They also sign bills into law and call elections. On the ceremonial side, they give speeches, welcome ambassadors, and hand out awards and medals. The Governor General almost always follows the advice of the Prime Minister.
This important role started way back in the 1600s when the French King appointed governors for the colony of Canada. After the British took over in 1763, the British monarch appointed governors. So, the office of Governor General is one of the oldest ongoing institutions in Canada. The modern version of the role began when Canada became a country in 1867.
Over time, the Governor General's role became more focused on Canada. By 1931, the Governor General became the direct representative of the Canadian King or Queen, not the British government. This meant the Governor General took on more responsibilities, like acting as the Commander-in-Chief for Canada's military. In 1947, the King gave the Governor General almost all his powers in Canada.
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How is the Governor General chosen?
The job of Governor General is set out in Canada's laws, including the Constitution Act, 1867 and special rules from 1947. The Canadian King or Queen appoints the Governor General. This happens after the Canadian prime minister suggests a person. The appointment is made official with the Great Seal of Canada. The person chosen is called the "governor general-designate" until they are officially sworn in.
There isn't one strict way for the swearing-in ceremony. But usually, the new appointee travels to Ottawa. They get a special welcome and move into 7 Rideau Gate. They meet with important officials to get ready for their new role. The King or Queen also meets with the appointee. They are made Companions of the Order of Canada. They also become Commanders of the Order of Military Merit and the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
The Governor General usually serves for at least five years. This is a tradition, but it's not a strict rule. Some have served for more than seven years. The Governor General serves "at His Majesty's pleasure". This means the Prime Minister can ask the King to keep them in the job longer. No special steps are needed for this extension. The Governor General stays until they die, resign, or a new one is appointed.
If a Governor General dies, resigns, or leaves the country for over a month, the chief justice of Canada steps in. They become the "administrator of the government" and take on all the Governor General's duties.
Who picks the next Governor General?
From 1867 to 1931, the British government chose the Governor General. But over time, Canada gained more control. By 1930, it was decided that the Canadian Prime Minister would advise the King on who to appoint. This change was made official in 1931.
The Prime Minister can suggest one or more names to the King. There are usually informal talks between the Prime Minister and the King. This happens before the official suggestion is made.
For a long time, all Governors General were British. They were often nobles, military officers, or politicians. Many had not spent much time in Canada before their appointment. But in 1919, Canadian leaders started suggesting that a Canadian should hold the role. This finally happened in 1952 when Vincent Massey became the first Canadian-born Governor General.
After Massey, the tradition of alternating between French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians began. The first Governor General born outside Canada since 1952 was Adrienne Clarkson in 1999. She was also the first Asian-Canadian and the second woman in the role. The third woman was Michaëlle Jean, who was the first Caribbean-Canadian Governor General.
All people suggested for the role must pass background checks. These are done by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
Governors General are expected to be fair and not take sides in politics. However, many have been former politicians. Some people have suggested changing how the Governor General is chosen. Ideas include having a public vote or a parliamentary vote. But others argue that not being elected helps the Governor General stay neutral.
In 2010, a new way was used to pick David Johnston. Prime Minister Stephen Harper created a special committee. This committee looked for a non-political candidate. They talked to over 200 people across Canada. This committee was later made permanent. However, the next Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, ended the committee in 2017. After the resignation of the next Governor General, Trudeau formed a new group. This group chose Mary Simon for the role.
The Swearing-in Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony is a formal event. It starts with the Governor General-designate arriving at Parliament Hill. A special military guard of honour greets them. They are then led to the Senate chamber. Many important people are there, including Supreme Court justices, senators, and Members of Parliament.
The King or Queen's official document appointing the Governor General is read aloud. Then, the new appointee takes three important oaths:
- The Oath of Allegiance (loyalty to the King or Queen).
- The Oath of Office as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief.
- The Oath as Keeper of the Great Seal of Canada.
Once they sign these oaths, they are officially the Governor General. At that moment, the flag of the governor general of Canada is raised on the Peace Tower. A special song called the "Vice Regal Salute" is played. A 21-gun salute is also fired. The Governor General then gives a speech. They talk about the causes they will support during their time in office.
What does the Governor General do?
Canada shares its King or Queen with 14 other countries. The Governor General's main job is to carry out the King or Queen's duties in Canada. They manage "the government of Canada on behalf and in the name of the sovereign."
The Governor General works within Canada's system of parliamentary democracy. They help ensure stable government. They also act as a neutral protector against anyone misusing power. Most of the King or Queen's powers are used by elected officials. This leaves the Governor General to perform many important ceremonial duties.
A past Governor General, John Campbell, once said the job requires "the patience of a saint, the smile of a cherub, the generosity of an Indian prince, and the back of a camel." This shows how many different qualities are needed for the role.
The Governor General's Constitutional Role
All government power in Canada comes from the King or Queen. The Governor General is allowed to use most of this power in the King or Queen's name. This is set out in the Constitution Act, 1867 and other special documents. The Governor General can appoint deputies, usually Supreme Court justices. These deputies can perform some duties if the Governor General is away.
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The Governor General must appoint people to the King's Privy Council for Canada. This group advises the King or Queen and the Governor General. By tradition, the Governor General must choose a Prime Minister. This is usually the Member of Parliament who has the most support in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister then advises the Governor General to appoint other Members of Parliament to the Cabinet. The Governor General then takes advice from this group of ministers.
The Governor General also issues official announcements and signs government orders. They appoint provincial lieutenant governors, senators, and judges. The advice given by the Cabinet is usually followed by the Governor General. The Governor General's main role is to advise, encourage, and warn the Prime Minister.
However, both the King and the Governor General have special "reserve powers." These are used in rare cases to prevent abuse of power. For example, in 1925, Prime Minister Mackenzie King asked Governor General Viscount Byng of Vimy to call an election. But Byng refused because the Prime Minister had just lost support in Parliament. This event led to important changes in how the Governor General's role was understood.
The Governor General also calls Parliament together. They read the speech from the throne, which outlines the government's plans. They can also temporarily suspend Parliament or end a session to call an election. The Governor General gives royal assent to bills, making them laws. They have three choices: approve the bill, reject it, or send it to the King for a decision. No Governor General has ever rejected a bill.
The Governor General's Ceremonial Role
Since most government decisions are made by the Cabinet, the Governor General mainly performs ceremonial duties. They host members of Canada's royal family, foreign royalty, and heads of state. They also represent Canada on state visits to other countries. When abroad, they issue official letters for Canadian ambassadors. They also receive letters from foreign ambassadors coming to Canada.
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The Governor General also helps promote national unity and pride. They travel across Canada, meeting people from all regions and backgrounds. They also present national medals and awards. These include the national orders and the Governor General's Awards. During an election, the Governor General reduces public duties. This is to avoid looking like they are involved in politics.
The King or Queen is the Commander-in-Chief of Canada's military. But the Governor General acts in their place. They use the title "Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada." This role is mostly ceremonial. The Governor General visits military bases and attends military ceremonies. They encourage the troops and boost morale. They are also honorary Colonel of three special regiments.
Residences and Household
Rideau Hall in Ottawa is the main official home for the Canadian monarch and the Governor General. It also houses the Governor General's staff and the Chancellery of Honours. Since 1872, Governors General have also used the Citadel in Quebec City, Quebec for part of the year.
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The Governor General's staff helps them with their duties. This team is managed by the secretary to the governor general. The Chancellery of Honours is also at Rideau Hall. It handles Canada's honours system, which grants awards to Canadians. The staff includes aides, press officers, financial managers, speech writers, and event planners. There are also chefs, waiters, and cleaning staff. These offices and staff are often called "Government House." Their costs, including the Governor General's salary, are paid for by the federal government.
The Governor General uses special VIP jets for air travel. These jets transport them within Canada and to other countries.
Symbols and Protocol
The Governor General is very important in Canada. They are second only to the King or Queen in official rankings. They come before other members of the Royal Family. In their own province, a lieutenant governor ranks higher than the Governor General. But in federal events, the Governor General ranks higher. The Governor General and their spouse are called "His" or "Her Excellency." The Governor General also gets the title "the Right Honourable" for life.
Until 1952, all Governors General were British nobles. But after Vincent Massey was appointed, this changed. Since then, Canadian citizens have held the role.
The Governor General is the head of several important Canadian orders. These include the Order of Canada, the Order of Military Merit, and the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. They also become a Knight or Dame of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. As acting commander-in-chief, they also receive the Canadian Forces' Decoration. They keep these honours after leaving office.
The "Viceregal Salute" is played to greet the Governor General. It combines parts of the Royal Anthem and the Canadian national anthem. The Governor General's flag is flown to show their presence. This flag is special and ranks very high in Canada. When the Governor General travels to other countries, the national flag is usually used.
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The crest of the Royal Arms of Canada is the Governor General's badge. It appears on their flag and other items. This badge has changed several times since Canada became a country.
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| 1901 | 1921 | 1931 | 1953 | 1981 |
The Governor General can also wear a special military uniform. It has unique badges and sleeve designs.
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| Board | Sleeve | Board | Sleeve | Board | Sleeve |
History of the Role
Early Governors in Colonies
French rule in North America began in the late 1500s. The first unofficial Governor of New France was Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s. In 1663, the French King appointed Augustin de Saffray de Mésy as the first Governor General of New France.
In 1763, France gave most of its North American lands to Great Britain. King George III then created the Office of the Governor of Quebec. Later, in 1786, the role of "governor-in-chief" was created for all British North American colonies. This role eventually became the "Governor General."
Responsible Government and Canadian Identity
The Rebellions of 1837 led to big changes. The British government gave Canadian provinces "responsible government." This meant elected officials in Canada would make most decisions. The Governor General became more of a symbolic head. They still performed official duties, but they followed the advice of Canadian leaders.
After Canada became a country in 1867, the Governor General continued to act for the King or Queen. But they also represented the British government. Over time, the role shifted. The Governor General became more focused on Canadian affairs. In 1880, Canada appointed its own representative in the UK. This reduced the Governor General's role as a link to Britain.
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During the First World War, the Governor General's role changed. They became more involved in military support and boosting morale. This sometimes caused disagreements with the Prime Minister.
Canada's identity grew stronger after the war. Many Canadians wanted less British influence. In 1926, the Balfour Declaration stated that Canada was an equal and independent country. This meant the Governor General would no longer represent the British government. They would only represent the Canadian King or Queen. This was made official in 1931.
The first Governor General chosen under this new system was John Buchan (Lord Tweedsmuir). He travelled widely in Canada, even to the Arctic. He believed Canadians' first loyalty was to Canada and its King. This idea was new for some people at the time.
Modern Era and National Identity
In 1952, Vincent Massey became the first Canadian-born Governor General. This was a big step for Canadian independence. After him, Georges Vanier became the first French-speaking Canadian Governor General. This started the tradition of alternating between English and French speakers.
However, some people in Quebec wanted more independence for their province. They sometimes criticized the monarchy and federal institutions. Even Vanier, who was from Quebec, faced protests.
Later Governors General like Roland Michener started new traditions. They held regular meetings with provincial lieutenant governors. They also began making state visits to other countries. The Governor General became more visible in national life, especially with the rise of television.
In 1984, Jeanne Sauvé became Canada's first female Governor General. She created the Canadian Heraldic Authority. She also focused on youth and world peace.
More recently, Governors General like Adrienne Clarkson and Michaëlle Jean brought new energy to the role. Clarkson was the first Governor General without a political or military background. She was also the first from a visible minority. She toured the country widely and inspired many Canadians. Jean, like Clarkson, was a woman, a refugee, and a journalist. She was praised for her support of the Canadian Forces and Indigenous peoples.
In 2010, David Johnston was appointed. He focused on promoting learning and innovation. He was also an expert in constitutional law.
Life After the Role
After their term, former Governors General often retire from public life. Some take on other public roles. For example, Edward Schreyer became Canada's High Commissioner to Australia. Michaëlle Jean became a special envoy for UNESCO. She later became the secretary-general of La Francophonie.
Some former Governors General have left behind special awards. These include the Stanley Cup, the Clarkson Cup, the Vanier Cup, and the Grey Cup. They may also start new organizations. For example, Vanier founded the Vanier Institute of the Family. Clarkson started the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Former Governors General receive a lifetime pension. They can also claim expenses each year.
| Institution | Founded by |
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| Royal Society of Canada | John Campbell, Marquess of of Lorne |
| Canada's first anti-tuberculosis association | The Earl of Minto |
| The Battlefields Park | The Earl Grey |
| King George V Silver Jubilee Cancer Fund for Canada | The Earl of Bessborough |
| Vanier Institute of the Family | Georges Vanier |
| Sauvé Foundation | Jeanne Sauvé |
| Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn Education Fund | Ray Hnatyshyn |
| International Council for Canadian Studies | |
| The Hnatyshyn Foundation | |
| Institute for Canadian Citizenship | Adrienne Clarkson |
| Michaëlle Jean Foundation | Michaëlle Jean |
| Rideau Hall Foundation | David Johnston |
How to spell the title
The official spelling of the title is governor general, without a hyphen. This is different from some other Commonwealth countries. When talking about more than one, it's governors general, not governor generals.
See also
In Spanish: Gobernador general de Canadá para niños
- Armorial of the governors general of Canada
- Governor General's Awards
- Governor-general
- List of awards presented by the governor general of Canada
- List of governors general of Canada
- Monarchy of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces
- Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft
