Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
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The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is the vice-regal representative of the Queen of Canada in the province of Ontario. The role of the Lieutenant Governor is to carry out the constitutional and ceremonial duties of the monarch in the province.
The Governor General appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on the advice of the Prime Mininster, and in consultation with the Premier of Ontario. There is no set limit to a Lieutenant Governor's term, the traditional description being "at Her Majesty's pleasure."
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[edit] History
Since 1867, twenty seven lieutenant governors have served Ontario; previously they acted as Lieutenant Governors of Canada West (1841-1867) and Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada (1791-1841).
Pauline Mills McGibbon, a patron of the arts and former Chancellor of the Universities of Toronto and Guelph, was the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, between 1974 and 1980. Lincoln Alexander, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and Labour Minister, was the first vice-regal of West Indian descent in Ontario, between 1985 and 1991. The shortest mandate by a Lieutenant Governor of Ontario was Henry William Stisted, from July 1, 1867 to July 14, 1868. The longest was Albert Edward Matthews, from November 1937 to December 1946.[1]
- See also: List of Lieutenant Governors of Ontario
[edit] Duties
The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is vested with a number of governmental duties, as well as being expected to undertake various ceremonial roles. The Lieutenant Governor, him or herself a recipient of the award as Chancellor of the Order, bestows the Order of Ontario on deserving Ontario citizens. The Lieutenant-Governor also attends various functions throughout the province and abroad, either as the host or a guest of honour. In 2002 the Lieutenant Governor undertook 435 engagements, 332 in 2003, and 326 in 2004.[2]
For more detailed information on the Vice-regal's responsibilities in Ontario see: Lieutenant Governor (Canada)
[edit] Symbols
The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario bears a personal flag which consists of a blue field bearing the shield of the Ontario coat of arms, surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by ten gold maple leafs, symbolizing the ten provinces.
