The Governer General of Canada serves as the representative of the Canadian monarch, currently King Charles III, within Canada. While the King is the country’s head of state, he resides primarily in the United Kingdom due to his responsibilities as monarch of multiple Commonwealth realms.
The Governor General is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. As the King’s representative, the Governor General performs various ceremonial and constitutional duties, including granting Royal Assent to legislation, appointing the Prime Minister, and summoning or dissolving Parliament.
Although the Governor General technically possesses significant constitutional powers, these are exercised almost exclusively on the advice of the Prime Minister or Cabinet, in accordance with Canada’s system of responsible government. For example, the Governor General appoints Senators, federal judges, and other officials based on recommendations from the Prime Minister.
In rare circumstances, the Prime Minister may seek the King’s direct involvement, such as when appointing additional Senators under Section 26 of the Constitution Act, 1867.
Would you like help editing the actual article? It could be fun to improve it together!
Official Title
As Canada has two official federal languages, the Governor General's title is in both English and French.
The Governor General's style and title in full is, in English: Her Excellency The Right Honourable Julie Payette, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada, and in French: Son Excellence la très honorable Julie Payette, chancelière et compagne principale de l'ordre du Canada, chancelière et commandeuse de l'ordre du mérite militaire, chancelière et commandeuse de l'ordre du mérite des forces de police, gouverneure générale et commandant en chef du Canada
Living former governors-general of Canada
As of January 2025, there are five living former governors general of Canada. The most recently deceased former governor general, Roméo LeBlanc (1995–1999), died on 24 June 2009.
Edward Schreyer (1979–1984) (1935-12-21) 21 December 1935 (age 89)
Adrienne Clarkson (1999–2005) (1939-02-10) 10 February 1939 (age 85)
Michaëlle Jean (2005–2010) (1957-09-06) 6 September 1957 (age 67)
David Johnston (2010–2017) (1941-06-28) 28 June 1941 (age 83)
Julie Payette (2017–2021) (1963-10-20) 20 October 1963 (age 61)
.jpg)
