Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Canadian Head of State and The Queen of Canada with the Governor General being the Queen's representative for Canada. The Lieutenant-Governor is the representative of the Queen in the Province and exercises powers under Section 9 of the Constitution Act 1867 essential to the workings of the constitutional monarchy in Canada.
The Lieutenant-Governor must always ensure that the post of Premier is filled following resignation or death and that a Government is in place following defeat at an election or in the House of Assembly. Additional governance responsibilities include: administering oaths of office to Members of the House of Assembly and Ministers of the Crown so they may take up their duties; summoning, proroguing and dissolving the House of Assembly; assenting to legislative bills in order for them to become law; and signing into force Orders-in-Council, Proclamations and other documents on the advice of Cabinet.
The Lieutenant-Governor fulfills a ceremonial role at the opening and proroguing of the House of Assembly. At other times, he is the host for Members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries during visits to the Province.
Hospitality is offered at Government House for visitors to the Province as well as representatives of charitable organizations within the Province and recipients of awards. The Lieutenant-Governor also hosts an annual Garden Party at several locations in the Province and a New Year's Day levee at Government House to which members of the public are invited. In addition, the Lieutenant-Governor participates in a wide variety of events at the request of organizations, groups and individuals throughout the Province which are listed weekly in the Saturday edition of the Evening Telegram.
The Lieutenant-Governor serves as Patron of various non-profit organizations in the Province that are engaged in work for the public good. The granting of patronage raises the profile of worthy endeavors and gives support to those engaged in enriching the lives of the people of the Province.
Term of Office
The Lieutenant-Governor is appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada, for a period of not less than five years. Premature terminations can only be for cause. Extensions are possible following discussion between the Prime Minister and the Lieutenant-Governor.
Office of the Lieutenant-Governor
The Lieutenant-Governor is paid a salary and allowances by the Federal Government. The Provincial Government provides administrative, household and operational funding for Government House.
Honorary Aides-de-Camp are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor to liaise with organizers on events Their Honours are to attend and accompany them to these events. They serve in a voluntary capacity, without remuneration. The Aides-de-Camp currently in place are family members, persons chosen by Their Honours, as well as representatives of the three branches of the Armed Forces, the two police forces in the Province, and the Church Lads Brigade.
Lieutenant Governor's Standard
A standard was approved by the Governor General in 1980 for all Lieutenant-Governors. This standard has precedence over any other flag including the national flag of Canada. It consists of the shield of each Province circled with ten gold maple leaves surmounted by a Royal Crown on a field of blue. The personal standard is flown at Government House and from flagpoles of buildings where duties are carried out to indicate presence of the Lieutenant-Governor. It is also customary to place the personal standard in the Lieutenant-Governor's study. The standard is never flown on a church or inside a church. It is never lowered to half-mast but on the death of the Lieutenant-Governor the standard is taken down until a successor is sworn in.