Governor General of Canada

The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. Canada is one of sixteen Commonwealth realms, all of which share a single monarch (currently, Queen Elizabeth II). The Governor General acts as the Queen's viceregal representative in Canada and is often viewed as the de facto head of state. The 1947 Letters Patent granted the Governor General the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian military in the name of the Queen.

Functions

The Governor General is the representative of the Canadian monarch, and may exercise most powers vested in the Crown. If the monarch is present in Canada, however, he or she may exercise such powers personally. Furthermore, some powers (such as the power to authorise an increase in the size of the Senate) may be exercised by the monarch alone, as required by the Canadian constitution.

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The Governor General summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament. Each parliamentary session begins with the Governor General's summons. The new parliamentary session is marked by the opening of Parliament, during which the Governor General reads the Speech from the Throne in the Chamber of the Senate, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. Prorogation usually occurs about one year after a session begins, and formally concludes the session. Dissolution ends a parliamentary term (which lasts a maximum of five years), and is followed by general elections for all seats in the House of Commons. These powers, however, are always exercised on the Prime Minister's advice. The timing of a dissolution is affected by a variety of factors; the Prime Minister normally chooses the most politically opportune moment for his or her party. The Governor General may theoretically refuse a dissolution, but the circumstances under which such an action would be warranted are unclear. The last case of a Governor General rejecting the Prime Minister's advice to dissolve Parliament came in 1926 (see King-Byng Affair).

Related Topics:
Prorogues - Dissolves - Opening of Parliament - Speech from the Throne - 1926 - King-Byng Affair

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All laws are enacted in the monarch's name. Before a bill can become law, the Royal Assent (the monarch's approval) is required. The Governor General acts on the monarch's behalf; in theory, he or she has three options: he or she may grant the Royal Assent (making the bill law), withhold the Royal Assent (vetoing the bill), or reserve the bill for the Signification of the Queen's Pleasure (allowing the Sovereign to personally grant or withhold Assent). If the Governor General does grant the Royal Assent, the Sovereign may, within two years, "disallow" the bill, thereby annulling the law in question. By modern constitutional convention, however, the Royal Assent is always granted, and bills are never disallowed.

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The Governor General also has the power to appoint federal ministers, Senators, judges, and other officials. Effectively, however, the appointees are chosen by the Prime Minister or other ministers. Furthermore, the Governor General is responsible for appointing, in the Queen's name, the Lieutenant Governors of the provinces. Once again, the Prime Minister chooses the appointees, although the premiers of the provinces concerned also play an advisory role. A Lieutenant Governor may, instead of granting the Royal Assent to a bill, reserve the bill for the Governor General. This practice, however, has fallen into disuse, having last been invoked by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 1961. The Commissioners of the Canadian territories are not appointed by the Governor General; nor do they act as representatives of the Crown.

Related Topics:
Senators - Premiers - Saskatchewan - 1961 - Commissioner

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Furthermore, the Governor General performs some of the functions normally associated with heads of state. He or she makes state visits abroad, hosts foreign heads of state, and receives ambassadors and high commissioners. Formerly, Letters of Credence and Recall (presented by incoming High Commissioners and Ambassadors to Canada) were addressed to the Queen; since the beginning of 2005, however, they have been addressed to the Governor General, without reference to the monarch. This decision has caused some controversy, drawing the ire of several monarchists.

Related Topics:
Letters of Credence and Recall - 2005

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The Governor General's functions are primarily ceremonial. He or she serves a symbolic role as the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Governor General attends state banquets and functions, makes and hosts state visits, and awards medals, decorations, and prizes (including the Governor General's Literary Awards). It has become a tradition for every outgoing Governor General to establish a trophy or award, usually in sport, to be named after him or her. See List of Awards Named After Governors General of Canada.

Related Topics:
Canadian Armed Forces - Governor General's Literary Awards - List of Awards Named After Governors General of Canada

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The Governor General is also the Colonel of the Regiment of Canada's three Household Regiments, the Governor General's Horse Guards, Governor General's Foot Guards and Canadian Grenadier Guards - this ceremonial position is directly under the position of Colonel-in-Chief, which is held by the Queen.

Related Topics:
Household Regiments - Governor General's Horse Guards - Governor General's Foot Guards - Canadian Grenadier Guards

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