As 2017 approaches, discussions have already started as to the appointment of Canada's next governor general. The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., seems to have started the public conversation early, commenting today that "[he] will take into account the nature of Canada and the desire of Canadians to see institutions and appointments across the government that reflect the diversity of Canada." He made the announcement at an event in Toronto, Ontario.
Appointing a Governor General
Her Majesty the Queen is Canada's head of state; of course, as the Queen is head of state for no less than sixteen Commonwealth realms, Her Majesty is represented in most of those countries by a governor general, to perform the functions of the head of state. In Canada, the governor general is appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister.
The governor general serves at the pleasure of the Queen. They usually serve for about five years, but they have sometimes served longer. The current governor general, His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., had his term extended for an additional two years, as there was a risk of no party having a majority of seats in the House. (Prime ministers tend to seek experienced governors general during potentially unstable parliaments, so as to ensure that they have enough expertise to navigate uncharted constitutional waters.)
What does the Governor General do?
The governor general represents the Queen here in Canada. They are responsible for five core areas: the constitutional role of representing and exercising the powers of the head of state; acting as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces; representing Canada and Canadians at home and abroad; encouraging and recognizing excellence; and bringing Canadians together through non-partisan causes, dialogue, and community-building activities.
Constitutional powers of the head of state
His Excellency reads the speech from the throne to open the 42nd Parliament.
While the governor general is not the head of state (that role remains that of the Queen), most of the Queen's powers are exercisable in Canada by the governor general. They must ensure that Canada always has a government that enjoys the confidence of the elected House of Commons. Usually, this task is straightforward; during a majority government, the political leader who has the most seats in the Lower House gets to be the prime minister. However, things are not always clear-cut.
When no party has a majority of seats, the governor general can be called upon to act as a constitutional referee. This is why governors general frequently see their terms extended if it appears that an election might not be conclusive; a seasoned governor general might be better able to navigate a political crisis, in terms of the selection of a prime minister.
The day-to-day constitutional duties of the governor general, representing the Queen, are:
Almost invariably, these powers are exercised on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet, who are responsible to the elected House. The governor general does have the right to advise, encourage, and warn the prime minister; they also have some reserve powers, which can be exercised during a constitutional crisis to ensure that Canadians continue to have a prime minister and a government who enjoy the confidence of our elected representatives.
Commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces
His Excellency visits the Canadian Forces deployed abroad for Christmas.
The governor general, by letters patent, is authorized by the Queen to act as the commander-in-chief in and over Canada. As the commander-in-chief, the governor general plays a leading role in ensuring that Canadians recognize the importance of Canada's armed forces, and in recognizing and honouring excellence and bravery among our service-people.
On the advice of the prime minister, the governor general appoints the chief of the defence staff. They also appoint royal colonels of Canadian regiments, on the advice of the minister of national defence. The governor general is responsible for issuing Canada's highest military honours, including the Order of Military Merit, Meritorious Service decorations, Military Valour decorations, and Peacekeeping and Special Service medals. New insignia and badges require their approval.
The governor general regularly visits members of the Canadian Forces, and their families and loved ones, at home and abroad. They also present new colours to units, and sign commission scrolls. The governor general also serves as a colonel of the Governor General's Foot Guards, the Governor General's Horse Guards, and the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
Representing Canada and Canadians
The governor general promotes Canadian sovereignty, and represents Canada and Canadians abroad. Typically at the request of the government, the governor general receives and hosts visiting heads of state; they conduct state visits abroad, to strengthen diplomatic ties between Canada and other countries; they receive ambassadors and high commissioners; and they sign diplomatic documents.
An ambassador (or a high commissioner from a country where the Queen is not also head of state) cannot start working in Canada until they have been welcomed to Canada by the governor general, and presented to the governor general their letters of credence (i.e., the official accreditation by a foreign head of state to act as their representative here in Canada). The governor general also signs the papers of Canadian ambassadors and high commissioners, before they leave Canada to start their work abroad. There are over 130 heads of mission active in Canada.
Recognition of excellence
His Excellency presides over an investiture ceremony for the Order of Canada.
The Queen is the head of the Canadian honours system, and the governor general has a number of responsibilities as Her Majesty's representative in this respect. The purpose of the Canadian honours system is to pay special tribute to those who have shown excellence, dedication, or courage, in a way that impacts the very fabric of Canadian society.
The governor general is the chancellor and principal companion of the Order of Canada, our highest national honour. The governor general also oversees the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, Decorations for Bravery, and myriad other national honours to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the service of Canada and Canadians.
Bringing Canadians together
The governor general, as a non-political Canadian leader, has the duty of bringing Canadians together around non-partisan causes. The governor general encourages Canadians to build a caring and compassionate society, and they promote Canadian values, diversity, inclusiveness, culture, and heritage. The governor general undertakes numerous activities throughout the year to meet with Canadians and to advance these principles.
His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, our current governor general, made 2015 the year of sport, through royal proclamation. His Excellency has also made the promotion and encouragement of volunteerism a key theme throughout his mandate. Other governors general have also selected special causes on which to focus their energies. His Excellency's predecessor, the Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., focused on breaking down solitudes.
Sources:
Appointing a Governor General
Her Majesty the Queen is Canada's head of state; of course, as the Queen is head of state for no less than sixteen Commonwealth realms, Her Majesty is represented in most of those countries by a governor general, to perform the functions of the head of state. In Canada, the governor general is appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister.
The governor general serves at the pleasure of the Queen. They usually serve for about five years, but they have sometimes served longer. The current governor general, His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., had his term extended for an additional two years, as there was a risk of no party having a majority of seats in the House. (Prime ministers tend to seek experienced governors general during potentially unstable parliaments, so as to ensure that they have enough expertise to navigate uncharted constitutional waters.)
What does the Governor General do?
The governor general represents the Queen here in Canada. They are responsible for five core areas: the constitutional role of representing and exercising the powers of the head of state; acting as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces; representing Canada and Canadians at home and abroad; encouraging and recognizing excellence; and bringing Canadians together through non-partisan causes, dialogue, and community-building activities.
Constitutional powers of the head of state
His Excellency reads the speech from the throne to open the 42nd Parliament.
While the governor general is not the head of state (that role remains that of the Queen), most of the Queen's powers are exercisable in Canada by the governor general. They must ensure that Canada always has a government that enjoys the confidence of the elected House of Commons. Usually, this task is straightforward; during a majority government, the political leader who has the most seats in the Lower House gets to be the prime minister. However, things are not always clear-cut.
When no party has a majority of seats, the governor general can be called upon to act as a constitutional referee. This is why governors general frequently see their terms extended if it appears that an election might not be conclusive; a seasoned governor general might be better able to navigate a political crisis, in terms of the selection of a prime minister.
The day-to-day constitutional duties of the governor general, representing the Queen, are:
- to summon, prorogue, and dissolve parliaments;
- to appoint justices, senators, and other key federal officials;
- to approve orders-in-council (i.e., executive orders) requested by cabinet; and
- to grant royal assent to bills, once passed by both the Senate and Commons.
Almost invariably, these powers are exercised on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet, who are responsible to the elected House. The governor general does have the right to advise, encourage, and warn the prime minister; they also have some reserve powers, which can be exercised during a constitutional crisis to ensure that Canadians continue to have a prime minister and a government who enjoy the confidence of our elected representatives.
Commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces
His Excellency visits the Canadian Forces deployed abroad for Christmas.
The governor general, by letters patent, is authorized by the Queen to act as the commander-in-chief in and over Canada. As the commander-in-chief, the governor general plays a leading role in ensuring that Canadians recognize the importance of Canada's armed forces, and in recognizing and honouring excellence and bravery among our service-people.
On the advice of the prime minister, the governor general appoints the chief of the defence staff. They also appoint royal colonels of Canadian regiments, on the advice of the minister of national defence. The governor general is responsible for issuing Canada's highest military honours, including the Order of Military Merit, Meritorious Service decorations, Military Valour decorations, and Peacekeeping and Special Service medals. New insignia and badges require their approval.
The governor general regularly visits members of the Canadian Forces, and their families and loved ones, at home and abroad. They also present new colours to units, and sign commission scrolls. The governor general also serves as a colonel of the Governor General's Foot Guards, the Governor General's Horse Guards, and the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
Representing Canada and Canadians
The governor general promotes Canadian sovereignty, and represents Canada and Canadians abroad. Typically at the request of the government, the governor general receives and hosts visiting heads of state; they conduct state visits abroad, to strengthen diplomatic ties between Canada and other countries; they receive ambassadors and high commissioners; and they sign diplomatic documents.
An ambassador (or a high commissioner from a country where the Queen is not also head of state) cannot start working in Canada until they have been welcomed to Canada by the governor general, and presented to the governor general their letters of credence (i.e., the official accreditation by a foreign head of state to act as their representative here in Canada). The governor general also signs the papers of Canadian ambassadors and high commissioners, before they leave Canada to start their work abroad. There are over 130 heads of mission active in Canada.
Recognition of excellence
His Excellency presides over an investiture ceremony for the Order of Canada.
The Queen is the head of the Canadian honours system, and the governor general has a number of responsibilities as Her Majesty's representative in this respect. The purpose of the Canadian honours system is to pay special tribute to those who have shown excellence, dedication, or courage, in a way that impacts the very fabric of Canadian society.
The governor general is the chancellor and principal companion of the Order of Canada, our highest national honour. The governor general also oversees the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, Decorations for Bravery, and myriad other national honours to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the service of Canada and Canadians.
Bringing Canadians together
The governor general, as a non-political Canadian leader, has the duty of bringing Canadians together around non-partisan causes. The governor general encourages Canadians to build a caring and compassionate society, and they promote Canadian values, diversity, inclusiveness, culture, and heritage. The governor general undertakes numerous activities throughout the year to meet with Canadians and to advance these principles.
His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, our current governor general, made 2015 the year of sport, through royal proclamation. His Excellency has also made the promotion and encouragement of volunteerism a key theme throughout his mandate. Other governors general have also selected special causes on which to focus their energies. His Excellency's predecessor, the Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., focused on breaking down solitudes.
Sources:
David Johnston is as good as it gets.