The Current Lieutenant Governor of Canada in Context
Finding the Answer to Your Query
The term 'Lieutenant Governor of Canada' is not an accurate representation, as the Dominion of Canada does not have a national Lieutenant Governor that represents the Monarch at a federal level. However, there are lieutenant governors assigned to each of the ten provinces, who act as representatives of the Crown at a provincial level, and even more complexly, there are deputy positions that come into play during specific circumstances.
Lieutenant Governors of Provinces in Canada
Each province in Canada has its own Lieutenant Governor, who serves as the Monarch's representative, ensuring the proper functioning of the constitutional duties and powers. The current appointees are:
Alberta: Her Honour Salma Lakhani British Columbia: Her Honour Janet Austin Manitoba: Her Honour Janice Filmon New Brunswick: Her Honour Brenda Murphy Newfoundland and Labrador: His Honour Arthur LeB cen Ontario: Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell Prince Edward Island: Her Honour Antoinette Perry Quebec: His Honour J. Michel Doyon Saskatchewan: His Honour Russell MirastyThe Governor General: The Head of State in Canada
Given your query, it is clear you are interested in the role of a Lieutenant Governor in Canada in the broader context of the Canadian government structure. Many countries with a 'Governor' role at a provincial or state level have a Lieutenant Governor as 'next in line.' In Canada, the Governor General serves as the representative of the Monarch, the Head of State. However, in the case of a vacancy or incapacity, there is a succession mechanism in place.
Succession Mechanism and the Deputy Role
According to Letters Patent 1947, if the Governor General is incapacitated or unavailable, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada becomes the Administrator of Canada, exercising all the Vice Regal powers and duties. This is a key mechanism for succession in the Canadian system, similar to the U.S. Vice Presidency system but specifically designed for a single instance of incapacity.
A lesser-known position is the Deputy to the Governor General of Canada, which is outlined in the Constitution Act 1867. This deputy is appointed by the Governor General with the consent of the Canadian Monarch and can exercise the powers and functions of the Governor General with the Governor General's consent. The deputy is typically given limited powers, focusing mainly on ceremonial duties such as granting royal assent, signing orders in council, and receiving the credentials of ambassadors.
The current Deputy to the Governor General of Canada is Ms. Assunta Di Lorenzo, who also serves as the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada. This role, while not exactly a 'Lieutenant Governor of Canada,' comes closest to filling the function you may have been asking about.
Understanding the Canadian governance system, both with its governmental roles and the succession mechanisms in place, provides a unique perspective on the complex layers of representation and authority in the country.