The lieutenant governors are appointed by the Governor General, in the name of The Queen, on the advice of the prime minister, to represent The Queen in their provinces. In this way, the vice-regal representatives mirror the country’s federal system, underlining that the provinces are as potent in the exercise of their constitutional responsibilities as is the national government in its assigned jurisdictions. It is an historic office, in a sense pre-dating that of the Governor General, as the earliest colonial governors—of whom Samuel de Champlain was first—in fact had responsibility for areas roughly corresponding to some of today’s provinces.
Following the use of a successful ad hoc advisory panel for the selection of a Governor General in 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on November 4, 2012, the creation of a permanent new Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments, chaired by the Canadian Secretary to The Queen, Kevin MacLeod, with permanent members Robert Watt (Citizenship Judge and formerly first Chief Herald of Canada) and Jacques Monet, SJ (historian, author and former University president). The new non-partisan Advisory Committee provides the Prime Minister with non-binding recommendations on the selection of the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors. For the purpose of recommending a Lieutenant Governor, two temporary members are added to the Committee from the province concerned.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
As with the Governor General, the lieutenant governors are appointed to serve at Her Majesty’s pleasure
. However, in practice, vice-regal appointments are customarily limited to five years, unless the prime minister of the day recommends to that their time in office be extended.
The role of the lieutenant governors is both constitutional and social. As representative of the Sovereign, they form a part of the provincial legislative assemblies, summoning and dissolving its sessions and giving royal assent to legislation in The Queen’s name. They must approve all actions (Orders-in-Council
) of the provincial executive councils. Generaly, they preside over the provinces’ individual honours systems, allowing the provincial orders and similar recognitions to carry the dignity and prestige of the Crown. Socially, they lend their vice-regal patronage to a variety of causes and community events, ranging from the Scouts to prizes for academic and literary achievement, thus underlining the important role of the Crown in encouraging Canadians to give of their best. Each lieutenant governor chooses several areas of special concern that serve to draw the attention of the population to causes ranging, for example, from Aboriginal reconciliation to youth and disability issues.
Much of the most influential role of the Crown takes place in local communities, day to day, and often under the radar of the national media, through the constant round of vice-regal activities undertaken by Canada’s ten lieutenant governors. Each represents The Queen in a way reflective of the province and of their own personal style. Below are brief descriptions of The Queen's provincial representatives.
The Honourable Lois Mitchell
Installation: June 12, 2015
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Business linkages and community service leader
http://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/
The Honourable Judith Guichon
Installation: November 2, 2012
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Rancher, former President of BC Cattlemen's Association
Key focus: Land, natural environment, history
http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/
The Honourable Janice C Filmon
Installation: June 19, 2015
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Community activist in charitable and non-profit projects
Key focus: Leadership Development
http://www.manitobalg.ca/
The Honourable Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau
Installation: October 23, 2014
Position most recently held prior to appointment:Vice-President at the Université de Moncton’s Shippagan Campus
http://www.gnb.ca/lg/
The Honourable Frank Fagan
Installation: 19 March 2013
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Telecommunications executive and philanthropist
http://www.govhouse.nl.ca/
Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant
Installation: 12th April 2012
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Accountant
http://lt.gov.ns.ca/
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Installation: September 23, 2014
Position most recently held prior to appointment: President and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies
Key focus: Ontario in the World
http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/
The Honourable Harry Frank Lewis
Installation: 15th August 2011
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Broadcasting advisor
http://www.gov.pe.ca/olg/
The Honourable Pierre Duchesne
Installation: 7th June 2007
Position most recently held prior to appointment: General Secretary, National Assembly of Québec
Key focus: youth, education
http://www.lieutenant-gouverneur.qc.ca/
The Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield
Installation: 22nd March 2012
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Business leader and CEO
http://www.ltgov.sk.ca/
