The Lieutenant Governors

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.

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 descrptions of The Queen's provincial representatives, with links to their websites, listed in the order of their apointment.

Alberta

Colonel the Honourable Donald S Ethell
Installation: 11th May 2010
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Director of Peacekeeping Operations and similar roles as Officer in Canadian Forces
http://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/
Private Secretary: Barb Walline, barb.walline@gov.ab.ca

New Brunswick

The Honourable Graydon Nicholas
Installation: 30th September 2009
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Provincial court judge
Key focus: education, diversity
http://www.gnb.ca/lg/
Principal Secretary: Tim Richardson, tim.richardson@gnb.ca

Manitoba

The Honourable Philip S Lee
Installation: 4th August 2009
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Research chemist and community advocate
Key focus: youth opportunities, visual impairment issues
http://www.lg.gov.mb.ca/
Private Secretary: Phyllis Fraser, ltgov@leg.gov.mb.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable John C Crosbie
Installation: 4th February 2008
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Chancellor, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Key focus: education, community, heritage
http://www.govhouse.nl.ca/
Private Secretary: Gary Cake, gcake@gov.nl.ca

British Columbia

The Honourable Steven L Point
Installation: 1st October 2007
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Chief Commissioner, BC Treaty Commission
Key focus: education, reconciliation
http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/
Private Secretary: Herb Leroy, ghingo@gov.bc.ca

Ontario

The Honourable David C Onley
Installation: 5th September 2007
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Senior broadcaster, Citytv, Toronto
Key focus: accessibility issues, Aboriginal literacy
http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/
Private Secretary: Nanda Casucci-Byrne, nanda.casuccibyrne@ontario.ca

Québec

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/

Nova Scotia

The Honourable Mayann E Francis
Installation: 7th September 2006
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Director, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Key focus: equity and inclusion, youth, education, seniors, community
http://lt.gov.ns.ca/
Private Secretary: Dr Christopher McCreery, lgoffice@gov.ns.ca

Saskatchewan

The Honourable Doctor Gordon L Barnhart
Installation: 1st August 2006
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature
Key focus: youth
http://www.ltgov.sk.ca/
Private Secretary: Heather Salloum, hsalloum@ltgov.sk.ca

Prince Edward Island

The Honourable Barbara Oliver Hagerman
Installation: 31st July 2006
Position most recently held prior to appointment: Performer and music teacher
Key focus: the Arts, multiculturalism, youth, seniors
http://www.gov.pe.ca/olg/
Executive Assistant: Cindy Cheverie, cccheverie@gov.pe.ca