The governor general
On this page
- History of the office of governor general
- The role and responsibilities of the governor general
- Installation of a governor general
- The governor general designate
- The administrator of the government
History of the office of governor general
The governor general represents His Majesty The King at the federal level in Canada.
The office of governor general is the oldest continuous institution in Canada and is an unbroken link with the early days of European settlement in our country. Appointed governor of New France in 1627, Samuel de Champlain was the first of 18 French governors who would hold the position in turn until 1760. From then until 1867, a total of 21 British governors and governors general held office in Canada. Canada’s governors general remained of British origin until Vincent Massey was appointed as the first governor general of Canadian citizenship in 1952. The Canadian Citizenship Act came into force in 1947, and the installation of Vincent Massey reflected Canada's new sense of autonomy and identity in the post-war era.
Appointed by The King on the advice of the prime minister, the governor general usually holds office for 5 years. Lieutenant governors fulfill the responsibilities and functions of The King in the provinces in the same way that the governor general does at the national level. Territorial commissioners carry out many of the same duties as lieutenant governors in the three Canadian territories but are not official representatives of The King.
The governor general bears the title “His or Her Excellency” during office, along with their spouse, and carries the title “Right Honourable” for life.
For more details, consult the governor general of Canada’s website.
The role and responsibilities of the governor general
In 1947, the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of the Governor General of Canada (under King George VI) authorized the governor general to exercise most of the Crown's powers on behalf of the Sovereign.
The governor general’s roles and responsibilities can be broken down into the following 5 themes:
- Constitutional duties
- Commander-in-chief of Canada
- Representing Canada at home and abroad
- Encouraging excellence
- Bringing Canadians together
For more information on the governor general’s responsibilities, please visit the Governor General’s website.
Installation of a governor general
A governor general installation ceremony is a formal state event marking the official start of a new governor general’s term in Canada. Typically held in the Senate Chamber, the ceremony includes the swearing-in, presentation of the Great Seal of Canada, and an inaugural address outlining the governor general’s vision and priorities. It often features Indigenous ceremonial elements, artistic performances, and themes reflecting Canadian diversity, and democratic values.
Learn more about installation ceremonies
The governor general designate
The governor general designate is the person who has been appointed as governor general, but who has not yet been sworn-in.
The governor general is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the prime minister. An advisory group can be established to assist with the identification of potential candidates in order to submit a shortlist of outstanding Canadians for the prime minister’s consideration.
During the transition period, the governor general designate undertakes a series of briefings with various members of government, ensuring they will be fully prepared to undertake the role of governor general. This period is an important time for the governor general designate to reflect and carefully consider the themes and priorities they wish to highlight during their installation speech, which will inform the vision of their mandate.
The administrator of the government
Under exceptional circumstances, it is possible for the governor general to be absent or for the position of governor general to be temporarily vacant. In such cases, the Letters Patent Constituting the Office of the Governor General of Canada (1947) stipulate that the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada will assume the duties of governor general on a temporary basis, as the administrator of the government, until an absent governor general returns to Canada and resumes their duties, or in the case of a transition, until the governor general designate has been appointed and sworn in as the new governor general of Canada.