The Queen and the Queen’s Representatives

The Queen is Canada’s head of state, and represents the legal authority of the government. The Governor General is the representative of the Queen in Canada. In each province, the Queen’s representative is called the Lieutenant Governor, and in each territory the Queen is represented by the Territorial Commissioner. To learn more about the Governor General of Canada, visit www.gg.ca/.

The Lieutenant Governor personifies the Crown, which is both the apex and the unifying link in the constitutional and political structure of the province — executive, legislative and judicial. All legislation must receive Royal Assent before it becomes law and must be signed by the Lieutenant Governor. All Orders-In-Council and official proclamations are also signed by the Lieutenant Governor in the name of the Queen.

The Lieutenant Governor is also responsible for ensuring there is a First Minister in the province at all times. At any time, when the position of First Minister is vacant because of death or resignation, after defeat in a provincial election or the result of a non-confidence motion in the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor must either dissolve the House or call upon someone else to become First Minister and try to form a viable government.

In British Columbia today, the Hon. Stephen L. Point is the province’s Lieutenant Governor, appointed on October 1, 2007. A former Provincial Court judge, he is the first person of First Nations ancestry to hold this office in British Columbia. The typical term of office is five to six years. In British Columbia, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor is Government House.

For a short video on the Lt. Governor and Government House click here.

Canadian and foreign dignitaries and heads of state visiting in the province are received by the Lieutenant Governor. Here are some recent examples.