Frequently Asked Questions

• Who appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?
• How long is a Lieutenant Governor in office?
• What formula should be used to refer to the Lieutenant Governor: “His Honour” or “the Honorable”?
• Why is the Lieutenant Governor always accompanied by soldiers?
• Why does the Lieutenant Governor represent the King of England?
• Why is there a King of Canada?
• Is the Governor General of Canada the boss of the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?
• What happens when the Lieutenant Governor of Québec is unable to perform his or her duties?
• Is it true that the Lieutenant Governor makes the laws?

 

Who appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?

Under section 58 of the Constitution Act, 1867, “for each Province there shall be an Officer, styled the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Governor General in Council by Instrument under the Great Seal of Canada.”

In practice, the Prime Minister of Canada, traditionally in consultation with his or her provincial counterpart, designates a successor to a lieutenant governor, and then the Governor General officially confirms the appointment.

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How long is a Lieutenant Governor in office?

Under section 59 of the Constitution Act, 1867, “a Lieutenant Governor shall hold Office during the Pleasure of the Governor General; but any Lieutenant Governor appointed after the Commencement of the First Session of the Parliament of Canada shall not be removeable within Five Years from his Appointment, except for Cause assigned.”

The Honorable J. Michel Doyon was appointed on July 21, 2015 and took the oaths of office and allegiance on September 24, 2015, becoming the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Québec.

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What formula should be used to refer to the Lieutenant Governor: “His Honour” or “the Honorable”?

As soon as the oaths of office and allegiance are taken, the Lieutenant Governor of Québec takes the title of “His Honour” or “Her Honour” and retains that title for the duration of his or her mandate. He or she is also entitled to the title of “the Honourable” which is kept for life.

Thus, the formula to be used to refer to the current Lieutenant Governor is “His Honour the Honorable J. Michel Doyon, Lieutenant Governor of Québec”.

Since May 1985, the Lieutenant Governor's spouse has had the title “His Honour” or “Her Honour” during the Lieutenant Governor's mandate. Therefore, the wife of the current Lieutenant Governor is referred to as: “Her Honour Madam Pauline Théberge”.

In addition, to refer to the Lieutenant Governor and his or her spouse at the same time, one must say “Their Honours”. The current vice regal couple is thus referred to as “Their Honours, the Honorable J. Michel Doyon, Lieutenant Governor of Québec, and Madam Pauline Théberge”.

To find out more about  rules of protocol that apply when in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor, you can consult the Canadian Heritage site.

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Why is the Lieutenant Governor always accompanied by soldiers?

The men and women dressed in ceremonial uniform who accompany the Lieutenant Governor during his official functions on a volunteer basis are referred to as “Honorary Aides-de-Camp”. This tradition has existed since Confederation. Aides-de-Camp also accompany the Governor General, lieutenant governors of other provinces and commissioners of the territories.

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Why does the Lieutenant Governor represent the King of England?

According to our Constitution, the Sovereign of Canada is also the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Therefore, the Sovereign of Canada is Her Majesty King Charles III. At the federal level, the King is represented by the Governor General. In Canadian provinces, the Lieutenant Governor assumes this role.

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Why is there a King of Canada?

In 1867, the founders of the Canadian Confederation decided to establish a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, thus maintaining a link with the colonizing country, England. Canada was born after the passage of a law by the British Parliament, the British North America Act.

Since Canada is a constitutional monarchy, it has a monarch or sovereign, in the person of the King of Canada, and a constitution or constitutional law. The parliamentary system comprises legislative assemblies made up of elected Members (and appointed senators at the federal level), and the representative of the sovereign, either the Governor General at the federal level or the Lieutenant Governor at the provincial level.

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Is the Governor General of Canada the boss of the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?

No. Although the Governor General of Canada takes precedence in protocol and appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Québec, both are representatives of the Sovereign in the same capacity, but within their respective fields of jurisdiction. Note that if King Charles III or the Governor General, or both, visit a province, the powers of the sitting Lieutenant Governor are neither diminished nor removed. The Lieutenant Governor’s role is modified only in situations where the King of Canada and the Governor General, or both, are invited to perform clearly delimited, specific functions.

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What happens when the Lieutenant Governor of Québec is unable to perform his or her duties?

The Constitution Act, 1867 provides that an Administrator of the government of Québec is appointed for the time being to replace the Lieutenant Governor when he or she is unable to act in that capacity. Since March 27, 2018, the Administrator of the province of Québec appointed to fulfill this mandate is the Honorable Judge Dominique Bélanger, Coordinating Judge of the Court of Appeal of Québec in Québec City.

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Is it true that the Lieutenant Governor makes the laws?

No. In Québec, laws are voted by the Members of the National Assembly. Once a bill is passed by vote by the Members of the Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor signs the Royal Assent. At that point, the bill becomes a law.

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