Georges Vanier

Major-General The Right Honourable Georges-Philéas Vanier (April 23, 1888 - March 5, 1967) was a Canadian diplomat who was Governor General of Canada from 1959 to 1967.

Governor General

The appointment of Georges Vanier as Governor General was announced at a Cabinet meeting in Halifax presided over by Queen Elizabeth II. The respect and affection that General Vanier inspired made him an appropriate successor to the popular Governor General Vincent Massey.

Related Topics:
Halifax - Queen Elizabeth II - Vincent Massey

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His recommendation for appointment by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker was a surprise. Vanier was a staunch Liberal, but Diefenbaker felt the more representation for francophones was needed in government. In his memoirs Diefenbaker attributes his decision for appointing Vanier as one of pure chance that occurred out of an unexpected encounter with the General. The Prime Minister had originally been toying with the idea of going back to the practice of appointing Britons to the office.

Related Topics:
Prime Minister - John Diefenbaker - Liberal - Francophone

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Although Canada was experiencing turbulent times and General Vanier suffered from a heart condition, he reacted to the news of his appointment with the deep faith that was his constant companion. "If God wants me to do this job," he said, "He will give me the strength to do it." The Vaniers' strong religious beliefs led them to champion the disadvantaged, youth and the family. Their concern for the state of the family in Canada led them to organize the "Canadian Conference of the Family" at Rideau Hall in 1964, which led to the founding of the Vanier Institute of the Family.

Related Topics:
God - Rideau Hall - 1964 - Vanier Institute of the Family

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During General Vanier's term, the separatist cause accelerated in Quebec. General Vanier firmly believed in Canadian unity and his speeches often attempted to improve relations between francophones and anglophones. He possessed a masterful command of both languages and promoted a policy of bilingualism long before his tenure as Governor General. The depth of his concern for Canada is revealed in one of the last speeches of his life, where he said, "The road of unity is the road of love: love of one's country and faith in its future will give new direction and purpose to our lives, lift us above our domestic quarrels, and unite us in dedication to the common good... I pray God that we may all go forward hand in hand. We can't run the risk of this great country falling into pieces."

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General Vanier's poor health never stopped him from making trips across Canada. His doctor worried that the cross-country tours would be too strenuous, but he always found both Vaniers invigorated on their return. The Vaniers' travels increased the affection of the Canadian people for the vice-regal couple, and they are remembered for their genuine kindness to all they met, especially their attention to children and senior citizens. Among his travels, he attended the inauguration of the St. Lawrence Seaway in Cornwall, Ontario on January 29, 1960, and was made Chief Big Eagle of the Blackfoot tribe in Calgary in June 1965.

Related Topics:
St. Lawrence Seaway - Cornwall, Ontario - January 29 - 1960 - Blackfoot - Calgary - 1965

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In his journeys, General Vanier encouraged young people to work hard and achieve excellence. His commitment to youth was evident in his enjoyment of his role as Canada's Chief Scout and his active support of the Scouting movement. He initiated in 1967 the Vanier Awards for Outstanding Young Canadians, which recognized excellence in the Canadian Junior Chamber of Commerce. And to recognize excellence in public service at the federal, provincial or municipal level, the Vanier Medal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada was established in 1962.

Related Topics:
Scout - 1962

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General Vanier was a great sports enthusiast who established both the Vanier Cup for the university football championship in the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union and the Governor General's Fencing Award in 1965. Above all, he loved hockey and was an enthusiastic fan of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.

Related Topics:
Vanier Cup - Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union - 1965 - Hockey - Montreal Canadiens

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During their time at Rideau Hall, the Vaniers hosted a long list of memorable guests. The distinguished visitors included United States President John Kennedy and Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, David Ben-Gurion, Prime Minister of Israel, the Shah of Iran and General Charles de Gaulle, President of France. The Vaniers also made many changes made to Rideau Hall -- the chapel was re-established (the previous one had been removed in 1912), and the smoking room became the Canadian room with the addition of Quebec antiques and pine panelling.

Related Topics:
United States - John Kennedy - Jacqueline Kennedy - Ethiopia - Haile Selassie - David Ben-Gurion - Israel - Shah of Iran - Charles de Gaulle - France - 1912

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Georges Vanier received several honours while he served as Governor General -- he was promoted to the rank of major general in 1942 and appointed by the Queen to the Imperial Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 1963. He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto.

Related Topics:
1942 - Privy Council - 1963 - University of Toronto

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