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 a very important person in the Canadian province of Ontario. They act as the King's representative in Ontario. This means they carry out many of the King's duties within the province.
The King is also the head of state for Canada and its other provinces. The lieutenant governor of Ontario is chosen in the same way as the King's representatives in other Canadian provinces. They help with both official government tasks and special public events. The current lieutenant governor of Ontario is Edith Dumont. She took on this role on November 14, 2023.
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What the Lieutenant Governor Does
The lieutenant governor of Ontario has many important jobs. These include both official government duties and public appearances.
Official Duties
The lieutenant governor helps make sure the government runs smoothly. They give Royal Assent to new laws. This means they officially approve laws passed by the provincial parliament. They also open and close sessions of the parliament. The lieutenant governor can also call for a new election.
Public and Ceremonial Roles
The lieutenant governor also takes part in many public events. They are often a patron, or supporter, of various groups in Ontario. For example, they support the Royal Ontario Museum.
They also give out special awards to people in Ontario. These awards recognize people who have done great things for their community. Some of these awards include:
- The Order of Ontario, which is the highest honour in the province.
- The Lincoln M. Alexander Award.
- The Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
- The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers.
These awards are given at special ceremonies. The lieutenant governor attends hundreds of events each year. They might host an event or be the guest of honour. For example, between September 2014 and March 2016, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell attended over 1000 events.
Symbols of the Office
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The lieutenant governor has an official flag. It is blue and shows the Ontario coat of arms. It also has a crown and ten gold maple leaves. The maple leaves stand for Canada's ten provinces.
In Ontario, the lieutenant governor is second in importance only to the King. They are even ahead of other members of the Canadian Royal Family and the King's federal representative.
Since 2011, the lieutenant governor has also been the honorary Colonel of the Queen's York Rangers. This is a unit in the Canadian Army. This special role honours the link between the regiment and John Graves Simcoe. He was the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (which became Ontario).
History of the Role
The role of lieutenant governor of Ontario began in 1867. This was when Ontario became a province during Confederation. Since then, 30 people have served in this important position.
Notable Lieutenant Governors
Some lieutenant governors have been very special. Pauline Mills McGibbon was the first woman to hold the job. Lincoln Alexander was the first lieutenant governor of West Indian background.
The shortest time someone served as 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 serving lieutenant governor was Albert Edward Matthews. He held the position for nine years, from November 1937 to December 1946.
Changes Over Time
In 1937, the government decided to cut spending. The official home of the lieutenant governor, called Government House, was closed. The lieutenant governor then moved into an office at the Legislative Building.
The role became more important again in 1985. Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird had to make a big decision. The government at the time lost the support of the provincial parliament. Instead of calling a new election right away, Aird asked David Peterson, the leader of the Liberal Party, to become the new premier. This showed how important the lieutenant governor's judgment can be.
See also
- Government of Ontario
- Great Seal of Ontario
- Lieutenant Governor (Canada)
- Monarchy in the Canadian provinces
