Constitutional role

In our parliamentary system derived from the British model, the executive powers of the government are exercised through two offices, the first being political and held by the Premier, the other being administrative and ceremonial. This second office is held by the Lieutenant Governor.

From a constitutional standpoint, the members of the Executive Council (Cabinet) are ministers of the Lieutenant Governor and, by extension, the Lieutenant Governor’s main advisers.

By virtue of a Royal Commission, the Lieutenant Governor has all of the constitutional powers of a head of state and gives force of law to the policies determined by the government regarding:

 

• Appointing the Premier
• Appointing the members of the Executive Council (Cabinet) on the advice of the Premier, including administering the oaths of discretion and office
• Opening and proroguing the sessions of the National Assembly and dissolving Parliament
• Giving Royal Assent to legislation. No Bill becomes law unless the Lieutenant Governor signs it
• Approving the Orders-in-Council of the government, and
• Appointing Québec court justices.

Bureau du Lieutenant-gouverneur

The Honourable Pierre Duchesne ratifying a decree of the Government of Québec on October 17th, 2007.

The Lieutenant Governor is the highest ranking chief administrative official and is the authorized representative of authority in Québec. The Lieutenant Governor is therefore, in terms of protocol, the highest ranking dignitary.

As the custodian of legitimacy and a symbol of the continuity of the State, the Lieutenant Governor must maintain complete impartiality and adopt a strict "duty of reserve." Another duty is to keep abreast of the concerns of the citizens of Québec as well as those of the Government of Québec.

The constitutional powers of Lieutenant Governors and the nature of their duties are such that they and their spouses must be apolitical and non-partisan. They must refrain from making public comments likely to be seen as endorsing a particular political party, activity or organization.

Although the office of the Lieutenant Governor is one of prestige, its holder nonetheless exercises powers essential to the functioning of the constitutional monarchy and parliamentary government that form our democratic system.