Appendix 1: Governors General of Canada Since 1867
Appointed by the Sovereign under the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General usually holds office for five years. However, the term can continue beyond five years and is brought to an end by the installation or the swearing in of a successor. The Constitution Act, 1867 confers upon the Governor General certain basic powers of government: a recommendation from the Governor General must accompany all spending measures introduced in the House; it is the Governor General who gives Royal Assent to legislation; and it is the Governor General who summons, prorogues and dissolves Parliament. However, in administering the executive authority of the government, the Governor General acts solely upon the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In addition to these basic powers of government, the Governor General also has a number of ceremonial responsibilities. The list of Governors General of Canada since Confederation and the information on their appointment and term of office was kindly provided by Rideau Hall.
Term of Office1 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Governor General | Appointment Date2 | Installation Date3 | Last Day in Office4 | |
|
1. Charles Stanley Monck,
Viscount Monck |
June 1, 1867
|
July 1, 1867
|
November 14, 1868
|
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2. Sir John Young,
Lord Lisgar |
December 29, 1868
|
February 2, 1869
|
June 21, 1872
|
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3. Sir Frederick Temple Blackwood,
The Earl of Dufferin |
May 22, 1872
|
June 25, 1872
|
November 14, 1878
|
|
4. Sir John Douglas Sutherland Campbell,
The Marquess of Lorne |
October 7, 1878
|
November 25,1878
|
October 22, 1883
|
|
5. Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice,
The Marquess of Lansdowne |
August 18, 1883
|
October 23, 1883
|
May 30, 1888
|
|
6. Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley,
Lord Stanley of Preston |
May 1, 1888
|
June 11, 1888
|
September 6, 1893
|
|
7. Sir John Campbell Hamilton Gordon,
The Earl of Aberdeen |
May 22, 1893
|
September 18, 1893
|
November 12, 1898
|
|
8. Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot,
The Earl of Minto |
July 30, 1898
|
November 12, 1898
|
|
|
9. Sir Albert Henry George Grey,
Earl Grey |
September 26, 1904
|
December 10, 1904
|
October 12, 1911 Last day in the office is unknown; therefore, departure date from Rideau Hall or Canada is used.
|
|
10. H.R.H. Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert,
Field Marshall H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn |
March 6, 1911
|
October 13, 1911
|
October 11, 1916 Last day in the office is unknown; therefore, departure date from Rideau Hall or Canada is used.
|
|
11. Sir Victor Christian William Cavendish,
The Duke of Devonshire |
August 8, 1916
|
November 11, 1916
|
July 19, 1921 Last day in the office is unknown; therefore, departure date from Rideau Hall or Canada is used.
|
|
12. Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng,
General Lord Byng of Vimy |
August 2, 1921
|
August 11, 1921
|
September 29, 1926
|
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13. Sir Freeman Freeman-Thomas,
The Viscount Willingdon of Ratton |
August 5, 1926
|
October 2, 1926
|
January 16, 1931
|
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14. Sir Vere Brabazon Ponsonby,
The Earl of Bessborough |
March 20, 1931
|
April 4, 1931
|
September 29, 1935
|
|
15. Sir John Buchan,
Lord Tweedsmuir of Elsfield |
August 10, 1935
|
November 2, 1935
|
February 11, 1940 Died in office.
|
|
16. Sir Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge,
Major General The Earl of Athlone |
June 2, 1940
|
June 21, 1940
|
March 16, 1946
|
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17. Sir Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander,
Field Marshall The Viscount Alexander of Tunis |
March 21, 1946
|
April 12, 1946
|
January 28, 1952
|
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18. The Rt. Hon.
Vincent Charles Massey |
February 1, 1952
|
February 28, 1952
|
September 15, 1959
|
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19. Major General The Rt. Hon.
Georges Philias Vanier |
August 1, 1959
|
September 15, 1959
|
March 5, 1967 Died in office.
|
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20. The Rt. Hon.
Daniel Roland Michener |
March 29, 1967
|
April 17, 1967
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January 14, 1974
|
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21. The Rt. Hon.
Jules Léger |
October 5, 1973
|
January 14, 1974
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January 22, 1979
|
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22. The Rt. Hon.
Edward Richard Schreyer |
December 28, 1978
|
January 22, 1979
|
May 14, 1984
|
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23. The Rt. Hon.
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé |
January 28, 1984
|
May 14, 1984
|
January 29, 1990
|
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24. The Rt. Hon.
Ramon John Hnatyshyn |
December 14, 1989
|
January 29, 1990
|
February 8,1995
|
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25. The Rt. Hon.
Roméo Adrien LeBlanc |
January 16, 1995
|
February 8, 1995
|
October 7, 1999
|
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26. The Rt. Hon.
Adrienne Clarkson |
September 28, 1999
|
October 7, 1999
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September 27, 2005
|
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27. The Rt. Hon.
Michaëlle Jean |
August 4, 2005
|
September 27, 2005
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September 30, 2010
|
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28. The Rt. Hon.
David Lloyd Johnston |
July 8, 2010
|
October 1, 2010
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October 2, 2017
|
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29. The Rt. Hon. Julie Payette
|
July 13, 2017
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October 2, 2017
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