Frequently Asked Questions

• Who appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?
• What is the term of office of the Lieutenant Governor?
• What should I call the Lieutenant Governor: "His Honour" or "The Honourable"?
• Will the current Lieutenant Governor release the figures for his Office’s expenses?
• Why does the Lieutenant Governor always have military escorts?
• Why does the Lieutenant Governor represent Her Majesty the Queen of England?
• Why does Canada have a Queen?
• Is the Governor General of Canada the boss of the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?
• What happens if the Lieutenant Governor of Québec cannot perform his or her duties?
• Is it true that the Lieutenant Governor makes the laws of the land?

 

Who appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Québec?

The Governor General in Council names the Lieutenant Governor of each province. In practice, the Prime Minister of Canada traditionally consults his or her provincial counterpart in naming the successor of a lieutenant governor. Then the Governor General officializes the nomination.

What is the term of office of the Lieutenant Governor?

The usual term of office of a Lieutenant Governor is five years. The Honourable Pierre Duchesne was appointed on May 18, 2007, and took the oath of office and the oath of allegiance on June 7, 2007, thus becoming the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Québec. His term of office should end in 2012 or later.

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What should I call the Lieutenant Governor: "His Honour" or "The Honourable"?

As soon as the Lieutenant Governor of Québec takes the oath of office and of allegiance, he assumes the title of His Honour for the duration of his term of office. The title of The Honourable, which is held for life, is also given to the Lieutenant Governor. The title to use for the current Lieutenant Governor is His Honour the Honourable Pierre Duchesne, Lieutenant Governor of Québec.

Since May 1985, spouses of lieutenant governors bear the title Her Honour or His Honour during the term of office of the lieutenant governor. The spouse of the current Lieutenant Governor is therefore called Her Honour madame Ginette Lamoureux.

In addition, when addressed simultaneously, the Lieutenant Governor and the lieutenant governor’s spouse are called Their Honours. The current vice-regal couple is therefore called Their Honours, the Honourable Pierre Duchesne, Lieutenant Governor of Québec, and madame Ginette Lamoureux.

For more information about the rules of protocol regarding the titles used to address a lieutenant governor, refer to the Department of Canadian Heritage web site.

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Will the current Lieutenant Governor release the figures for his Office’s expenses?

In June 2007, the Honourable Pierre Duchesne approached the Premier of Québec, Jean Charest, offering to appear before la commission parlementairemandated to study the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s appropriations.

As for the federal government subsidy, the Honourable Pierre Duchesne will table a report with the Department of Canadian Heritage, which will, in turn, see to  proper distribution of the report.

Why does the Lieutenant Governor always have
military escorts?

The men and women in uniform who accompany the Lieutenant Governor as volunteers at official functions are called Honorary Aides-de-Camp (A. de C). This tradition has existed since the beginning of Confederation. Aides-de-Camp also accompany the Governor General, the Lieutenant Governors of the other provinces, and the territorial commissioners.

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Why does the Lieutenant Governor represent Her Majesty the Queen of England?

Under our constitution, Her Majesty is the Queen of Canada and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. At the federal level, her representative is the Governor General. At the provincial level, it is the Lieutenant Governor.

Why does Canada have a Queen?

In 1867, the founders of the Canadian federation chose a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system as the form of government. This ensured that ties remained with England. Canada came into being further to the British Parliament’s adoption of the British North America Act.

Our constitutional monarchy consists of a monarch or sovereign, in this case, the Queen of England, and a constitution or constitution act. The parliamentary system consists of legislative assemblies composed of elected members, appointed senators and the Queen’s representative, namely, the Governor General at the federal level, and 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. Even though the Governor General of Canada takes precedence in terms of protocol and names the Lieutenant Governor of Québec, both are the Queen’s representative in equal standing, but within their respective jurisdictions. Note that the presence of Queen Elizabeth II or the Governor General, or both, in a province does not diminish or negate the authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The role of the Lieutenant Governor changes only when the Queen of  Canada or the Governor General, or both, are called upon to perform special and specific duties.

What happens if the Lieutenant Governor of Québec cannot perform his or her duties?

Under the Constitution Act of 1867, an Administrator of the Government of Québec is always named. This person replaces the Lieutenant Governor should he be incapable of performing the duties that the position requires. The Administrator of the Province of Québec is the Honourable Justice France Thibault.

Is it true that the Lieutenant Governor makes the laws of the land?

In Québec, laws are voted upon by the Members of the National Assembly. Once they are adopted by these members, the Lieutenant Governor grants Royal Assent. A bill then becomes law.

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