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Report on Performance
The governor general has various duties that span his or her area of responsibility. These range from fulfilling constitutional and State responsibilities, to bringing Canadians together, to honouring Canadians and recognizing excellence. The following provides a summary of the Governor General's activities and results achieved over the past year, consistent with these areas. Constitutional Responsibilities The Governor General's constitutional responsibilities and her fulfillment of these responsibilities in 2005-06 are as follows:
Responsibilities as Head of State The Governor General's responsibilities as head of State and her fulfillment of these responsibilities in 2005-06 are as follows:
The successive governors general further supported Canada's international relations by meeting with the presidents of Germany, Poland, Italy, and Chile; the Prime Minister of New Zealand; Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands; and with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, the governor general maintains an active interest in the activities of the Forces by visiting units and bases and by participating in military ceremonies. The governor general is often invited to attend ceremonies marking important milestones in the history of military units and formations in all branches of the service. These events can include the presentation of colours, the opening of new facilities, or commemorative ceremonies on the occasion of special anniversaries. Visits to military units can be combined with regional visits. The governor general also visits members of the Canadian Forces serving on missions abroad. In their role as commander-in-chief in 2005-06, the successive governors general took part in the following activities: Madame Clarkson:
Madame Jean:
The governor general has an important traditional role in promoting national identity and unity. This is accomplished through visits to Canadian communities, events that the governor general hosts at the official residences, and the visitors' program in place at both official residences. Visits to Canadian communities Visits to Canadian communities are based on various themes consistent with Their Excellencies' interests and create opportunities for the governor general to meet Canadians in communities across the country—at times in communities never visited by previous governors general. A full and varied program of events is developed for these visits, often in response to the more than 2,000 invitations received annually from municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations and individuals. This volume represents a 25 percent increase from 2004-05. In 2005-06, the successive governors general and their spouses visited over 28 communities in Canada (Madame Clarkson and John Ralston Saul: 20, Madame Jean and Jean-Daniel Lafond: 8). During these visits, they participated in a wide range of activities, from large-scale public events such as citizenship ceremonies, to school visits, visits featuring innovative community projects, and round‑table discussions on youth, women’s issues and other social issues critical to the communities visited. In October 2005, Governor General Jean began her official provincial/territorial visits by travelling to Manitoba. She continued on to visit Prince Edward Island in November 2005, Quebec and Ontario in February 2006, and British Columbia in March 2006. These provincial visits incorporated such varied program elements as Caring Canadian Award presentations; and discussions with Aboriginal leaders, women at risk, immigrants and new Canadians, community leaders, social workers and youth. The Governor General opened the Magnetic North Theatre Festival as well as the Northern Voices Festival. Events by invitation held at the official residences The governor general's program includes hosting a wide range of events at the official residences: Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the Citadelle in Quebec City. These events relate not only to the traditional, constitutional, State and ceremonial roles and responsibilities of the governor general, but also to the Canadian honours program. In addition to the events listed below, others this year included receptions and events for a diverse array of organizations such as the Royal Canadian Academy, the parliamentary Interns and Senate pages, the Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, CanSpell finalists, the Nunavut Youth Abroad Program and the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program. The Governor General also launched the annual poppy and daffodil campaigns. These events require extensive planning and organization to ensure that the ceremonial aspects are meaningful. In 2005-06, more than 7,500 people attended 74 such events held at Rideau Hall, and more than 360 people attended 4 events held at the Citadelle. Whether it is lunch for a group of new citizens, a reception for war brides, refreshments for a garden party, dinner for national awards recipients or a formal State luncheon, the hospitality offered at the official residences of the governor general reflects the excellent quality of Canadian products from coast to coast to coast. Offering hospitality is a traditional way of receiving guests and an important part of the role of the governor general and commander-in-chief of Canada. Culinary creations at the official residences are based on distinctively Canadian ingredients that are fresh, seasonal and organic. Only wines from Canada's two primary wine-producing regions—the Niagara Region in Ontario and the Okanagan Region in British Columbia—are served at official events. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) is committed to showcasing the excellence of Canadian food and wine at Rideau Hall, at the Citadelle, and at events across the country and abroad. The following is a summary of those events, together with highlights for 2005-06:
The governor general receives a considerable volume of spontaneous feedback from honours recipients, all expressing tremendous gratitude and pride, not only for being recognized for their remarkable achievements, but also for the dignified manner in which these ceremonies and receptions are carried out.
Public events held at the official residences Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the governor general's official residence at the Citadelle in Quebec City are in many ways the nation's homes. Both residences have a long tradition as gathering places and, over the years, have become increasingly open and accessible to Canadians. In this spirit, a variety of public events are held annually at the official residences to welcome Canadians and to provide occasions to celebrate and reinforce Canadian values. As the governor general plays an active role in hosting these events, they also provide an opportunity for informal exchanges between the governor general and the Canadians who come to take part. The following is a summary of the key public events held at the official residences, together with highlights of the events held in 2005-06:
Winter Celebration. In 2002, as part of the celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of Canadian governors general, Rideau Hall hosted the first Winter Celebration. This event is an opportunity to celebrate Canadian winter traditions at Canada's national house. Activities typically include skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, dogsledding, traditional Inuit games and children's outdoor games, all made possible through the participation of many citizens groups and volunteers such as Pathfinders and the Nunavut Sivuniksavut training program. In addition to enjoying outdoor winter activities, all guests are invited to tour Rideau Hall. The event is another way of increasing awareness of the Office and reinforces the OSGG's ongoing commitment to making the residence and grounds more accessible to Canadians. Approximately 3,000 people attended the Winter Celebration held in February 2006. Visitors' program The OSGG has had a long-established year-round visitors program at Rideau Hall and, since 2004, has also operated a tour program at the Citadelle, the governor general’s second official residence, in Quebec City. Programs at both residences are designed to promote awareness and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the governor general and the history of Canada’s democracy. Because the residences belong to all Canadians, visitors, whether individuals, school groups, or others, are invited to discover Rideau Hall and the Citadelle through a variety of guided and self‑guided tours, special exhibitions, and other interpretive offerings that are provided at no charge throughout the year. The overall interpretation program focuses on themes linked to Canadian identity, history, culture and values. The tours of Rideau Hall and the Citadelle are windows, both on Canadian history and the Office of the Governor General, and are by far the most popular element of the visitor program with all audiences. Since 1999 at Rideau Hall, groups and individuals have also been able to enjoy specialized art or horticultural tours. Families visiting the site during the summer can enjoy a diversified program of hands-on activities to complement the experience at the Visitor Centre. Picnics or interpretive walks on the grounds and along the paths are also very popular. Visitors to Rideau Hall and the Citadelle numbered about 180,000 this year. Rideau Hall is consistently among the top 10 visitor attractions in the National Capital Region and is among the top five for visiting school tour groups. In fact, teachers consider Rideau Hall to be one of the must-see sites, especially as it relates to their class curriculum. An educational kit is available for teachers to help prepare their students for their visit. The public response and the interest of the tourism industry in the visitor program at the Citadelle continue to grow—in fact, visitor attendance doubled this year compared to last year. Feedback from visitors to Rideau Hall, including unsolicited correspondence, indicates that these visits are very informative and highly enjoyable. Visitor research studies also indicate that 93 percent of visitors leave with a good or an increased understanding of the role of the governor general. Figure 3 - Visits to Rideau Hall by program category in 2005-2006
Honouring Canadians and Recognizing Excellence The Chancellery of HonoursFor close to 40 years, the Chancellery of Honours of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General has celebrated the achievements of Canadians, their acts of bravery and their distinguished service to fellow citizens and humanity in general, through the administration of the Canadian honours system. In 1988, this role was broadened to include the recognition of individual identity and the contribution of communities and institutions to the building of the nation through the establishment of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Each year, thousands of Canadians, from community volunteers to astronauts and actors earn the recognition of the nation. The governor general presents honours and awards on behalf of all Canadians to recognize those people who have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service in ways that bring special credit to Canada. The Canadian honours system recognizes these individuals and their accomplishments as a means of defining and encouraging national values, identity, unity and citizenship, and of inspiring others to build and strengthen the nation. The mandate The Chancellery of Honours is mandated to support the governor general’s role in administering the Canadian honours system and the Canadian Heraldic Authority. To this end, the Chancellery of Honours:
The mission To honour people, communities and institutions for their accomplishments and contributions to the nation and to safeguard the Canadian honours system through the application of:
Highlights of 2005-2006 During the last year, the Governor General personally presented the nation’s top honours to hundreds of recipients. These honours ranged from investitures into the Order of Canada to the bestowal of the Caring Canadian Award. In addition, more than 8,000 other individuals were recognized through such honours as the Exemplary Service Medal, which celebrates the contributions of Canada’s protective services to the nation, and the Governor General’s Academic Medal, awarded to exceptional students at the high school, college and university levels. The Canadian Heraldic Authority continued to celebrate the identity of our people, our communities and our institutions through the granting of armorial bearings. Last year also saw substantial gains in the work of the Authority to develop its online registry and to foster public interest, with over 50,000 visits to its Web site in one month alone. In addition, the Chancellery began a review of the Canadian honours system to verify that it is meeting its objectives and to better understand what changes, if any, are required to ensure that policies and programs remain relevant to Canadians. While this review will continue into the next year, the initial findings indicate a high level of acceptance of the nation’s efforts to recognize its exceptional citizens; however, more action will be required to strengthen and modernize some of the existing programs and policies. The challenges ahead July 1, 2007 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Order of Canada and the beginnings of the Canadian honours system. The Chancellery will be undertaking a number of initiatives over the course of the next year to celebrate this milestone and to increase Canadian’s awareness of the honours system and the remarkable individuals who have been honoured over the last 40 years. In addition, over the next year, the Chancellery will work in partnership with its major stakeholders to complete the review of the national honours system and to propose the changes needed to ensure that programs and policies continue to meet the needs of the government, the governor general and Canadians for generations to come. Order of Canada The Order of Canada is the country's highest honour for lifetime achievement by its citizens. It was established in 1967 and since then, more than 5,000 Canadians have been appointed for their contributions toward making Canada a better country. There are three levels of membership to honour those whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope: Member, Officer and Companion. A complete listing of all persons appointed to the Order since 1967 can be accessed online at http://www.gg.ca/Search/honours_e.asp?Search=2. The governor general, as chancellor of the Order of Canada, makes appointments to the Order based on the recommendations of a non-partisan advisory council, which reviews the nominations received. The advisory council, which is chaired by the chief justice of Canada, includes the clerk of the Privy Council, the deputy minister of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the chair of the Canada Council for the Arts, the president of the Royal Society of Canada, the chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and five members of the Order, for regional representation. Order of Canada investiture ceremonies are generally held four times a year. The chart in Figure 4 provides a summary of the Order of Canada appointments made in 2005-06: Figure 4 - Order of Canada Awards
Decorations for Bravery Decorations for bravery recognize people who have risked their lives to save or protect others. Three levels—the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage and the Medal of Bravery—reflect the varying degrees of risk involved in any act of bravery. The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972. In the 34 years since then, more than 2,500 people have received Decorations for Bravery. The governor general personally presents the decorations in ceremonies held at Rideau Hall or at the Citadelle. In those instances where the advisory committee does not feel that a Medal of Bravery is warranted but does feel that the act of bravery should be recognized, a Certificate of Commendation for Bravery is awarded. Figure 5 provides a summary of the Decorations for Bravery, including Certificates of Commendation, over the last fiscal year. Medal of Bravery investiture ceremonies are held twice a year. Figure 5 - Decorations for Bravery
Meritorious Service Decorations While the Order of Canada recognizes Canadian citizens for lifetime contribution, the Meritorious Service Decorations celebrate both Canadians and non-Canadians and honour a single achievement or activity over a specific period. Meritorious Service Decorations are separated into military and civilian divisions, with two levels in each category: a cross and a medal. The Military Division recognizes individuals for outstanding professionalism and for bringing honour to the Canadian Forces. The Civilian Division recognizes contributions to any field, from athletics to diplomatic relations to humanitarian activities. Separate advisory committees review military and civilian nominations and submit recommendations for potential candidates to the governor general for approval. The chart in Figure 6 provides a summary of the Meritorious Service Decorations awarded in this fiscal year. Figure 6 –Meritorious Service Decorations
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award The Governor General's Caring Canadian Award recognizes selfless voluntarism. In April 1996, Canada's then governor general, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, created the Caring Canadian Award to recognize these special volunteers—the unsung heroes of our country. This award honours Canadians for unpaid, voluntary contributions, most often made behind the scenes at the community level. The recipients have given extraordinary help or care to individuals, families or groups, or have supported community service or humanitarian causes. Recipients have usually been involved in these activities for several years and have not previously received a national or provincial honour. The Governor General's Caring Canadian Award consists of a certificate and a lapel pin, which are presented to recipients by the governor general during his or her travels or by a designate, such as a lieutenant governor or a territorial commissioner. An advisory committee reviews nominations and the accompanying research and then submits recommendations for potential candidates to the governor general for approval. Of the 100 nominations received for this award in 2005-06, 82 Caring Canadian Awards were granted. Governor General's Academic Medal For over 125 years, the Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average in his or her institution. Lord Dufferin, Canada's third governor general after Confederation, created the Academic Medal in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, it has become the most prestigious award for students in Canadian high schools, colleges and universities. Today, the Governor General's Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze at the post-secondary diploma level; Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals, along with a personalized certificate signed by the governor general, are presented on behalf of the governor general by participating educational institutions. There is no monetary award associated with the medal. The chart in Figure 7 provides a summary of the distribution of the Governor General's Academic Medals across Canada in 2005-06. Figure 7 - 2005-06 Distribution of the Governor General's Academic Medal
Other honours programs In addition to the five honours programs outlined above, the governor general also honours Canadians each year through the following additional honours programs:
The honours program also consists of other medals. The chart in Figure 8 outlines the other medal program awards in 2005-06. Figure 8 - Other awards
Awards associated with the office of the governor general Over the years, a number of awards have been established in the governor general's name. These include the Governor General's Literary Awards, the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts, the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, and the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. These awards enable the governor general, on behalf of Canada, to recognize and honour Canadian excellence and to increase awareness of Canada's rich talent and traditions in these fields. In 2005-06, the Governor General hosted seven ceremonies of this nature, attended by over 1,140 award recipients and their guests. Although these awards are presented by the governor general, most often in a ceremony at Rideau Hall, their administration and oversight are the responsibility of third parties, such as independent foundations established expressly for that purpose, private organizations, or other government organizations with a relevant mandate, such as the Canada Council for the Arts or Status of Women Canada. Heraldry The Canadian Heraldic AuthoritySince June 4, 1988, the governor general has headed the Canadian Heraldic Authority and exercised all the prerogatives of the Queen to create heraldic symbols. The governor general's heraldic responsibilities are administered by Canadian officers of arms appointed by commission under the governor general's privy seal (see http://www.gg.ca/heraldry/cha/03/cha-officers_e.asp). The chief herald of Canada is the only officer in the country with the authority to formalize new arms, flags and badges on behalf of the State. Heraldry in the 21st centuryHeraldic emblems (coats of arms, flags, and civil and military badges) give colour and shape to the identity of an individual or institution. They honour the past, present and future aspirations of Canadians. Full of symbolism, they celebrate the diversity of the Canadian experience and contribute to the sense of belonging in Canada. Highlights of 2005–06 As per the mandate of the Authority, grants of new heraldic emblems were awarded to Canadian individuals and organizations of all types, including commercial and non-profit organizations such as family associations, learned societies, foundations, church groups, educational institutions, government services, as well as cities and amalgamated municipalities and their community services (police, fire and ambulance services), etc. Fraser Herald, principal artist for the Authority and Rideau Hall, designed and created the drawings required to create the Governor General’s Northern Medal, the Governor General's Academic Medal, as well as the personal coats of arms and privy seal of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. He also oversaw the creation of new dies for the Governor General's Marksmanship Medal. The heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority continued to make Canadians aware of heraldry and its vocabulary, as well as its long history as a means of celebrating and expressing identity. One of their most frequent duties is to answer questions from the public about coats of arms and Canadian emblems. They also write the descriptions of each emblem formalized by the Authority, including their significance, regularly give seminars, and publish texts in both public and specialized journals. The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada went online on June 28, 2005 (http://www.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/index_e.asp). This virtual registry allows the public to discover the Authority’s recent creations. It contains detailed illustrations, descriptions, specialized indices, and various search functions that are easy to consult and use. This was the first step in the putting the entire Register online. Anniversaries, special messages and correspondenceBy long tradition, the OSGG prepares and sends congratulatory messages from the governor general to Canadians on the occasion of 50th wedding anniversaries and 90th birthdays, and from Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of 60th wedding anniversaries and 100th birthdays. In 2005-06, the OSGG sent to Canadians 22,080 anniversary messages on behalf of the Governor General and another 4,191 on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, an overall increase of three percent for the two programs combined (see figure 9). Many Canadian individuals and organizations, including registered charities, municipalities, religious and social organizations, also request special messages from the governor general to recognize milestones, to greet members at conferences or for fundraising events. This past year, the OSGG prepared 852 such messages for the Governor General’s signature. Furthermore, the governor general receives significant volumes of correspondence from Canadians on a vast range of issues. Many simply wish to offer their good wishes, encouragement or advice. Others wish to send a photograph or other memento to the governor general, or perhaps a heartfelt gift of a book, CD, or news clipping they feel he or she may enjoy seeing. Still others may exercise their democratic right to express their disagreement with the governor general over a view he or she has expressed, or course of action he or she has undertaken. Others write to the governor general seeking a personal intervention, often as a last resort, in various situations of distress such as immigration, financial or legal difficulties. These individuals are referred to federal and provincial departments best positioned to assist them, as the governor general cannot intervene in matters that are the responsibility of elected officials. The transition to a new mandate typically occasions a considerable spike in the volume of correspondence. This year was no exception as volumes increased significantly and remained at an unprecedented level for the balance of 2005-06. The Editorial Services office of the OSGG researched and replied to 1,713 letters on behalf of the Governor General, an increase of 56 percent from the previous year. The increased volume in incoming correspondence resulted in a backlog that continued to be addressed into the subsequent fiscal year. The number of Canadians who communicate electronically with the office also continues to increase significantly. The OSGG processed 11,052 electronic information enquiries and comments in 2005-06, representing a 30 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. Overall, in all categories of correspondence combined, 39,888 correspondents received a response to their enquiries, an increase of 7.9 percent from 2004-05. The Editorial Services office of the OSGG also provides translation, text revision and editing functions and is responsible for the linguistic quality of public documents published by the OSGG, such as ceremonial programs, press releases, information leaflets, Web texts and numerous other documents. Figure 9 – Anniversaries, special messages and correspondence
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