Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan |
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Standard of the lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan
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Emblem of the lieutenant governor
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| Viceroy | |
| Style | His Honour the Honourable |
| Appointer | The governor general on the advice of the prime minister |
| Term length | At the governor general's pleasure |
| Formation | September 1, 1905 |
| First holder | Amédée E. Forget |
| Website | www.ltgov.sk.ca |
The lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan is the representative of the monarchy in Saskatchewan. This means they act on behalf of the King or Queen of Canada within the province. The monarch is also shared with other parts of Canada and other countries called Commonwealth realms.
The lieutenant governor 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 duties. The current lieutenant governor is Russell Mirasty. He started his role on July 17, 2019.
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What the Lieutenant Governor Does
The lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan has many important jobs. These include both official government duties and special public appearances.
Official and Public Duties
The lieutenant governor acts as a supporter or honorary member for many groups in Saskatchewan. For example, they might be involved with the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association or the provincial poet laureate program.
By law, the lieutenant governor is also the "visitor" for the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. This means they can step in during special situations, like the University Crisis of 1919.
Honours and Awards
The lieutenant governor helps to recognize people who have done great things. They welcome deserving individuals into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. When they take office, they also become a special member of the Venerable Order of Saint John.
They also present other awards and honours from the province. Many of these awards are named after the lieutenant governor. These awards are given out at official ceremonies. The lieutenant governor attends hundreds of these events each year. In 2007, for example, they attended 450 events.
Symbols of Office
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At these events, the lieutenant governor's presence is shown by their special flag, called a "standard." This flag is blue and has the Saskatchewan coat of arms on it. It also has a crown and ten gold maple leaves, which stand for Canada's ten provinces.
In Saskatchewan, the lieutenant governor is second in importance only to the monarch. They are even ahead of other members of the Canadian Royal Family and the Queen's federal representative. Past lieutenant governors are honoured with portraits in the Qu'Appelle Gallery at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
History of the Office
The role of the lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan began in 1905. This was when Saskatchewan officially became a province of Canada. The position grew out of an earlier role, the lieutenant governor of the North-West Territories.
Notable Lieutenant Governors
Since 1905, 23 people have served as lieutenant governor. Some were the first in their kind. For example, Sylvia Fedoruk was the first woman to hold the position. Russell Mirasty is the first Indigenous person to be lieutenant governor.
The shortest time served by a lieutenant governor was Thomas Miller, who was in office for only a few months in 1945. The longest-serving was Henry William Newlands, from 1921 to 1931.
Key Moments in History
In 1929, Lieutenant Governor Henry Newlands had to make an important decision. He had to choose a new premier after the current one lost the support of the Legislative Assembly. This showed the lieutenant governor's special power to make choices when needed.
In 1944, after a new political party won the election, there were ideas to cut spending for the lieutenant governor's office. Government House, the official residence, was closed. The lieutenant governor was given only a small office at a hotel. Some traditions, like guards of honour, were also stopped. This trend continued for a while. However, in the 1980s, the honours for the lieutenant governor were brought back. Government House was also saved from being torn down.
See also
- List of lieutenant governors of Saskatchewan
- List of lieutenant governors of the Northwest Territories (when Regina was capital)
- Lieutenant governors of Canada
- Monarchy in the Canadian provinces
- Government of Saskatchewan
