Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Infobox vice-regal
province = Ontario
shield = Shield-Ontario.png

incumbent = David Onley
his/her = His
appointed_by = Michaëlle Jean
first_lg = Henry William Stisted
date = July 1, 1867The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is the vice-regal representative of the Queen of Canada in the province of Ontario. The role of the Lieutenant Governor is to carry out the constitutional and ceremonial duties of the monarch in the province.

The Governor General appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on the advice of the Prime Minister, and in consultation with the Premier of Ontario. There is no set limit to a Lieutenant Governor's term, the traditional description being "at Her Majesty's pleasure."

The present Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is David Onley, [ [http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2007/08/01/c3092.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html Government of Ontario: "Media Advisory - Next Lieutenant Governor to take office in early September"; August 1, 2007] ] who has served in the role since September 5, 2007.

History

Since 1867, twenty eight lieutenant governors have served Ontario; previously they acted as Lieutenant Governors of Canada West (1841-1867) and Lieutenant Governors of Upper Canada (1791-1841).

Pauline Mills McGibbon, a patron of the arts and former Chancellor of the Universities of Toronto and Guelph, was the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, between 1974 and 1980. Lincoln Alexander, a World War II Royal Canadian Air Force veteran and Labour Minister of West Indian ancestry, was Ontario's first Black viceroy, from 1985 to 1991. James Bartleman, 2002 - 2007, was the first Aboriginal lieutenant governor of the province. The shortest mandate by a Lieutenant Governor of Ontario was Henry William Stisted, from July 1, 1867 to July 14, 1868. The longest was Albert Edward Matthews, from November 1937 to December 1946. [ [http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/sections_english/history/history_facts_main.html Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: Quick Facts about the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario] ]

Duties

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is vested with a number of governmental duties, as well as being expected to undertake various ceremonial roles. The Lieutenant Governor, him or herself a recipient of the award as Chancellor of the Order, bestows the Order of Ontario on deserving Ontario citizens. Also, the Lieutenant Governor awards the Royal Canadian Humane Association medal, [cite web| url=http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2007/05/26/4209794-sun.html |last=Robertson |first=Ian |work=Toronto Sun |title=Boy's ultimate sacrifice |date=2007-05-26 ] the Lincoln M. Alexander Award, the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism in Ontario, the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, the Lieutenant Governor's Award, and numerous others. During the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour of Ontario, then Premier Ernie Eves announced the creation of the Ontario Golden Jubilee Award for Civilian Bravery [cite web|url=http://www.crht.ca/LibraryShelf/CourageoftheQueen.html |publisher=Canadian Royal Heritage Trust |title=Courage of the Queen |accessdate=2007-09-15 ] The Lieutenant-Governor also attends various functions throughout the province and abroad, either as the host or a guest of honour. In 2002 the Lieutenant Governor undertook 435 engagements, 332 in 2003, and 326 in 2004. [ [http://www.monarchist.ca/new/docs/Report.pdf Guthrie, Gavin and Aimers, John; "$1.54 per Canadian: The cost of Canada's constitutional monarchy, 2005"] ]

For more detailed information on the Vice-regal's responsibilities in Ontario see: Lieutenant Governor (Canada)

ymbols

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario bears a personal flag that consists of a blue field bearing the shield of the Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Ontario, surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by ten gold maple leafs, symbolizing the ten provinces.

ee also

* List of Lieutenant Governors of Ontario
* Governor General of Canada
* Monarchy in Canada

References

External links

* [http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/ Lieutenant Governor of Ontario]