Governor-General

The governor-general of Canada is the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II and appointed on the advice of the prime minister. The governor general functions as the de facto head of state. The role of the governor-general is largely ceremonial and includes carrying out day-to-day duties on behalf of the Queen, such as appointing ministers, ambassadors, and judges on the advice of a prime minister and granting royal assent to legislation. As head of state, the governor-general is responsible for ensuring that parliament has confidence in the country’s government and its prime minister. The governor general is therefore able to convene, prorogue or dissolve parliament on account of parliamentary support but not unilaterally.

The Governor-General of Canada is also commander in chief and as such has the duty to act on the prime minister’s recommendation in appointing the chief of defence staff and of the royal colonels of the Canadian regiments.

The governor-general has two official residences – at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, and the Citadelle of Quebec.