Term of office

The Constitution Act of 1867 stipulates that Lieutenant Governors are appointed by the Governor General in Council and remain in office "during the Pleasure of the Governor General." The standard term of office is five years. Traditionally, the Prime Minister of Canada consults with his or her provincial counterpart to name the Lieutenant Governor, who is then officially appointed by the Governor General.

Section 58 of the British North America Act (Constitution Act of 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.

Section 59 of the British North America Act (Constitution Act of 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 removable Within Five Years of his Appointment, except for Cause assigned, which shall be communicated to him in Writing within One Month after the Order for his Removal is made, and shall be communicated by Message to the Senate and to the House of Commons within One Week thereafter if the Parliament is then sitting, and if not then within One Week after the Commencement of the next Session of the Parliament.

The Honourable Pierre Duchesne was appointed on May 18, 2007, and took the oath of office and oath of allegiance on June 7, 2007. In principle, he will be Lieutenant Governor of Québec until 2012 at the earliest.