Governor General of Canada
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.
| Governor General of Canada
Gouverneure générale du Canada | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the Governor General of Canada | |
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| Government of Canada | |
| Style | His/Her Excellency The Right Honourable |
| Abbreviation | GG |
| Residence | |
| Appointer | Monarchy of Canada on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada |
| Term length | At Her Majesty's pleasure |
| Formation | 1 July 1867 |
| First holder | The Viscount Monck |
| Deputy | Deputies of the Governor General of Canada |
| Salary | CA$288,900 annually |
| Website | {{URL|example.com|optional display text}} |
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.
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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] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help), 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] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)
Living former governors-general of Canada
As of November 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)
21 December 1935 (aged 89)
Adrienne Clarkson
(1999–2005)
10 February 1939 (aged 86)
Michaëlle Jean
(2005–2010)
6 September 1957 (aged 68)
David Johnston
(2010–2017)
28 June 1941 (aged 84)
Julie Payette
(2017–2021)
20 October 1963 (aged 62)
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Governor General Of Canada Media
First page of the proclamation of the Letters Patent, 1947, as published in the Canada Gazette
Vincent Massey (left), the first Canadian-born viceroy since Confederation
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson (right) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) in the governor general's study of Rideau Hall, 18 December 2000
Andrew Scheer (right), then Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, being admitted to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada by Governor General David Johnston (centre) at Rideau Hall, 25 September 2017
Lord Tweedsmuir gives the Throne Speech at the opening of the third session of the 18th Canadian Parliament, 27 January 1938
Governor General David Johnston greeting a crowd during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, July 2016
Michaëlle Jean wearing the insignia of the Order of Canada and Order of Military Merit along with the Canadian Forces' Decoration
The present flag of the governor general was adopted in 1981.
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