The purpose of this information note is to introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of PCH, through the State Ceremonial and Protocol Directorate (SCPD), for the installation of a new Governor General.
B. Background and Current Status
The swearing-in of a Governor General, as the vice-regal representative of Her Majesty The Queen, is an important moment for Canadians and is usually marked by an installation ceremony. It is customary for the installation ceremony to take place in the Senate.
PCH has the responsibility of coordinating the installation arrangements and providing support to the Governor General Designate, in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, the Privy Council Office (PCO), and the Canadian Secretary to the Queen.
Usually, the many activities surrounding the installation of a Governor General, as well as the swearing-in ceremony itself, take up to 9 weeks of planning from the date of announcement of the appointment. Over that period, PCH assists the Governor General Designate navigate through each step, and ensures that the transition is smooth and seamless.
Support provided by PCH to the Governor General Designate from the time of the appointment until the installation as Governor General includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Providing administrative, financial and logistical support to the Governor General Designate (e.g. relocation to Ottawa, transportation, temporary office space, administrative personnel, media relations and accommodation during the interim period);
Organizing the installation ceremony, which includes, military honours, oath readings and signatures, a speech delivered by the newly sworn-in Governor General, and artistic programming that reflects the preferences of the Governor General Designate; and
Organizing and leading briefing sessions pertaining to those responsibilities between the Governor General Designate and PCH officials.
The costs for the installation are borne by the Government of Canada and the majority of expenses are assumed by PCH’s existing budget.
C. Strategic Considerations
On January 21, 2021, the Right Honourable Julie Payette announced that she was stepping down from her position as Governor General of Canada.
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc announced on March 12, 2021, the establishment of the Advisory Group on the Selection of the Next Governor General to assist with the identification of potential candidates and make a recommendation to the Prime Minister.
As per provisions the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of the Governor General (1947), the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada is currently assuming the duties of Governor General on an interim basis as the Administrator of Government, until a replacement is sworn-in.
Once the Governor General Designate is announced, PCH will work with its federal partners on scenarios, options and considerations for the transition.
