Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada (Fr. Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative in Canada of Queen Elizabeth II, who is Queen of Canada and the country's head of state. (The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of government.) The full title of the office is The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada.
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The Governor General is named by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. It would cause a major constitutional crisis if the monarch did not accept such "advice." By tradition, the post alternates between an English-Canadian and a French-Canadian and generally serve a five year term (though, some Governors General had their terms extended by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister).
The current Governor General of Canada is Adrienne Clarkson, who is a Hong Kong-born former CBC television host. She was appointed by the Queen on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in 1999.
Although state power rests legally with the Governor General--Parliament sits at "his or her pleasure", Royal Assent is necessary for all laws passed by Parliament, and the Governor General is the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces--real political power rests with the Prime Minister, Parliament, and the provincial governments. Should the Governor General of Canada attempt to exercise any of these powers at her own personal discretion, it would likely result in a constitutional upset, and public outrage. The Governor General is a figurehead, who only performs symbolic formal, ceremonial, and cultural duties.
Current and past Governors General use the style "Right Honourable" (très honorable), like the Prime Minister. However, Governors General in office also use the style "His Excellency" or "Her Excellency". The Governor General's official residence is Rideau Hall; by tradition, he or she also spends several weeks a year at the Citadelle in Quebec City.
The Governor General's job is primarily focused around attending state banquets and functions for visiting world leaders, and giving awards and medals at special awards ceremonies. The Governor General is the Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, and therefore the Governor General often wears the red-and-white insignia of the Order at public events. As the Queen's representative in Canada, the Governor General acts as Commander in Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. Previously, the Governor General also wore an elaborate black military uniform with silver epaulettes, but since the 70's the outfit has largely been retired. The wearing of certain medals indicating high military rank has persisted, however.
The Governor General of Canada is perhaps best known for delivering the speech from the throne at the beginning of each parliamentary session. The speech is written by the Prime Minister and outlines the government's political agenda for the coming session. Unlike the Governors General of many other Commonwealth Realms, the Governor General of Canada does not refer to the Government of Canada as "My government" in speeches.
, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Governor General, in the Canadian Senate, Ottawa. (The front chair is used by the Speaker of the Senate)'']]
The Queen also has representatives in each provincial government: Lieutenant Governors (lieutenants gouverneurs) who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Canada's northern territories of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut are not provinces and do not have lieutenant governors but Commissioners. The Commissioner is appointed by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. However, with the granting of responsible government to the territories in recent years the position of commissioner has become analogous to that of a lieutenant-governor and while commissioners do not constitutionally have the role of representing the Queen the role of de facto representative of the crown has accrued to the position over recent years.
The future of the office has long been questioned. This increased after a report showing that the expenses of Governor General's office had increased by over 200% under the present Governor General, largely due to extra security due to fear of terrorism. Some Canadians feel that Canada no longer need this office, or that the Queen should cover the Governor General's expenses, while others feel that Canadians should have more of a say who should fill the office.
The present Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, will reach five years in office on October 7, 2004, but it is not yet known if her term in office will be extended or if a new Governor Genral will be appointed. Tradition calls for her to be succeeded by a French-Canadian. Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space, has been floated as a possible successor.
Unlike in some other countries, the title of the Governor General of Canada has no hyphen.
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