Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island |
|
|---|---|
Flag of the lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island
|
|
Emblem of the lieutenant governor
|
|
 Antoinette Perry OPEI since 20 October 2017 |
|
| Viceroy | |
| Style | Her Honour the Honourable |
| Residence | Government House, Charlottetown |
| Appointer | The governor general on the advice of the prime minister |
| Term length | At the governor general's pleasure |
| Formation | 1 July 1873 |
| First holder | Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson |
| Website | www.gov.pe.ca/olg |
The lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island is the King's representative in Prince Edward Island. The King is Canada's head of state, but he lives in the United Kingdom. So, the lieutenant governor acts on his behalf in the province.
This role is similar to other provincial representatives across Canada. The lieutenant governor carries out most of the King's duties for Prince Edward Island. These duties include both official government tasks and special public events.
The current lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island is Antoinette Perry. She started her role on October 20, 2017.
Contents
What the Lieutenant Governor Does
The lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island has important jobs. These include both official government duties and many public appearances.
Official Duties
The lieutenant governor makes sure the government works smoothly. They sign bills into law, which means approving new rules. They also open new sessions of the provincial legislature. This is where elected officials meet to make decisions.
Public and Ceremonial Roles
The lieutenant governor attends many events each year. They act as a special guest or host. For example, they might be a patron or honorary member of groups like the Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts. They also support organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society.
The lieutenant governor also gives out special awards. They present the Order of Prince Edward Island to deserving people. This award recognizes those who have made a big difference in the province. They also present other provincial honours and awards.
Symbols of the Office
When the lieutenant governor attends events, their special flag is often displayed. This flag is blue and shows the Prince Edward Island coat of arms. It also has ten gold maple leaves, one for each Canadian province.
The lieutenant governor is a very important person in Prince Edward Island. They are second only to the King in the province's official ranking. This means they are even ahead of other members of the Canadian Royal Family when they visit.
History of the Office
.svg)
.svg)
The role of a representative for the King in Prince Edward Island began a long time ago. In 1786, Prince Edward Island (then called St. John's Island) got a "lieutenant" to represent the main governor. This main governor was in charge of several colonies.
The modern role of the lieutenant governor started in 1873. This was when Prince Edward Island joined Canada. Since then, 27 people have served as lieutenant governor.
Notable Lieutenant Governors
Many interesting people have held this position. Marion Reid was the first woman to become lieutenant governor of the province. Joseph Alphonsus Bernard was the first lieutenant governor of Acadian background.
The shortest time served by a lieutenant governor was William Cleaver Francis Robinson. He held the role for just over a year, from July 1, 1873, to July 4, 1874. The longest-serving lieutenant governor was Thomas William Lemuel Prowse. He was in office for almost eight years, from October 4, 1950, to March 31, 1958.
See also
- Monarchy in the Canadian provinces
- Government of Prince Edward Island
- Lieutenant Governors of Canada
