Lieutenant Governor of Ontario facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Ontario |
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Standard of the lieutenant governor of Ontario
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Emblem of the lieutenant governor
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.jpg) Edith Dumont since 14 November 2023 |
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| Viceroy | |
| Style | Her Honour the Honourable |
| Appointer | The governor general on the advice of the prime minister |
| Term length | At the governor general's pleasure |
| Formation | 1 July 1867 |
| First holder | Henry William Stisted |
The lieutenant governor of Ontario is the King's representative in Ontario. This person acts for the monarch (the King or Queen) specifically within Ontario. Canada has a monarch, but each of its ten provinces also has a lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor of Ontario is chosen in the same way as other provincial representatives in Canada. Their main job is to carry out most of the monarch's official and ceremonial duties. The current lieutenant governor of Ontario is Edith Dumont. She took office on November 14, 2023.
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What Does the Lieutenant Governor Do?
The lieutenant governor of Ontario has many important jobs. These include both government duties and special public appearances.
Official Duties and Public Appearances
The lieutenant governor helps with the government's work. They also take part in many public events. For example, the lieutenant governor supports certain organizations in Ontario, like the Royal Ontario Museum.
The lieutenant governor also gives out special awards. They present medals to people who have done great things for the province. Some of these awards include:
- The Order of Ontario (for outstanding citizens)
- The Royal Canadian Humane Association medal (for bravery)
- The Lincoln M. Alexander Award (for young people working against discrimination)
- The Ontario Volunteer Service Award (for volunteers)
- The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers (for young volunteers)
These awards are given at official ceremonies. The lieutenant governor attends hundreds of events each year. They might host an event or be the guest of honour. For instance, between September 2014 and March 2016, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell attended over 1000 events. That's more than 700 events each year!
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Symbols and Special Roles
At these events, you might see the lieutenant governor's official flag. It is blue and shows the Ontario coat of arms. It also has a crown and ten gold maple leaves. These leaves stand for Canada's ten provinces.
In Ontario, the lieutenant governor is second in importance only to the monarch. They are even more important than other members of the Canadian Royal Family or the King's federal representative.
Since 2011, the lieutenant governor has also held an honorary military title. They are the Colonel of the Regiment for the Queen's York Rangers. This is a unit in the Canadian Army. This special role honours the regiment's connection to John Graves Simcoe. He was the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada and led this regiment a long time ago.
A Look at History
The role of the lieutenant governor of Ontario began in 1867. This was when Ontario became a province during Confederation. The position grew out of an earlier role called the lieutenant governor of Canada West.
Notable Lieutenant Governors
Since 1867, 29 people have served as lieutenant governor of Ontario. Some were very important "firsts":
- Pauline Mills McGibbon was the first woman to hold the position.
- Lincoln Alexander was the first person of West Indian background to be lieutenant governor.
The shortest time served by a lieutenant governor was Henry William Stisted. He was in office for just over a year, from July 1, 1867, to July 14, 1868. The longest time served was by Albert Edward Matthews. He was lieutenant governor from November 1937 to December 1946.
Changes Over Time
In 1937, the Liberal Party won the election in Ontario. They decided to cut back on government spending. Because of this, the official home of the lieutenant governor, called Government House, was closed. The lieutenant governor then moved to an office in the Legislative Building.
The position stayed fairly quiet until 1985. At that time, Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird had to make an important decision. The premier, Frank Miller, lost the support of the Legislative Assembly. The Liberal Party then made a deal with other members of the assembly. Instead of holding another election so soon, Aird asked Liberal leader David Peterson to become the new premier. This showed how important the lieutenant governor's role can be in times of political change.
See also
- Government of Ontario
- Great Seal of Ontario
- Lieutenant Governor (Canada)
- Monarchy in the Canadian provinces
