The Office of Lieutenant Governor dates back to the creation of Manitoba in 1870 as the fifth province of Canada and the first western province. Before 1870, authority in this territory was shared by Indigenous bands and the Hudson’s Bay Company.
The Lieutenant Governor is the representative of His Majesty The King, in the Province of Manitoba, and as such, takes precedence over everyone in the province except the Sovereign. The Lieutenant Governor personifies the Crown, which is both the apex and the unifying link in the constitutional and political structure of the province – executive, legislative and judicial. It is a clearly different role from that of the Premier, who is the Head of Government and the leader of the party with the most support in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The Crown symbolizes the unity of the people and helps maintain our distinctiveness as Canadians. The Crown is above party politics and it gives citizens a non-partisan focus for their loyalty to the province. As The King’s representative, Her Honour acts on behalf of Manitoba as a whole in the Vice-Regal role, rather than those who voted for the party in power at any given point in time.
Constitutional Role
As the guardian of responsible government in Manitoba, the Lieutenant Governor facilitates the smooth functioning of the Constitution and ensures that the democratic will of Manitobans and their elected representatives is respected.
Read More
The Lieutenant Governor’s primary responsibility is to ensure that a duly constituted government is always in place in Manitoba.
After an election, the Lieutenant Governor determines which political party enjoys the confidence of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, appoints its leader as Premier and officiates at the swearing-in of Ministers invited to form the government.
The Lieutenant Governor also accepts the resignation of an outgoing Premier and ensures that the unwritten constitutional conventions of responsible government are respected when a government loses the support of the Assembly or is defeated in an election.
Other responsibilities include summoning the Assembly to meet, reading the Speech from the Throne outlining the government’s legislative agenda, giving Royal Assent to bills passed by the Assembly so they can become law, dissolving the Assembly, issuing writs for an election and signing decisions of Cabinet (Orders in Council) for them to take effect.
All government actions are taken in the name of the Crown and the Lieutenant Governor formally holds the executive powers on behalf of the Crown. The Lieutenant Governor invariably acts on the advice of Ministers but retains the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn. The Ministers are responsible to the Assembly and, through it, to the people. That is why we call it responsible government.
Ceremonial & Celebratory Role
In addition to the Lieutenant Governor’s constitutional role, Her Honour annually undertakes hundreds of ceremonial, official and community functions to fulfil her Vice-Regal responsibilities.
Read More
Her Honour hosts members of the Royal Family, the Governor General, Heads of State from abroad and other dignitaries, on official visits to the province. Her Honour offers hospitality at Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, to a diverse cross-section of Manitobans, numerous charitable and community organizations, and visitors to the province.
Her Honour grants patronage to a number of non-profit organizations, lending the dignity and prestige of the Office to worthwhile causes. Her Honour presents Lieutenant Governor’s Awards recognizing achievements by Manitobans in a wide range of endeavours – including the Order of Manitoba – for which she serves as Chancellor. She also presents other honours and awards on behalf of other organizations throughout the province to deserving citizens.
Her Honour travels to every part of the province, meeting Manitobans where they live, work and go to school. The Lieutenant Governor speaks to audiences of all ages and interests about the strengths and values we share as citizens wherever we live – in the rural area, the vast northern region or the provincial capital.
Lieutenant Governor in Council
The position of Lieutenant Governor is apolitical and thus the Lieutenant Governor does not get involved in any political activity, intervene in day-to-day issues and decisions made by Manitoban government ministries, or advocate for groups or individuals seeking to change government policy.
Read More
The term “Lieutenant Governor in Council” appears in many government documents, such as legislation. Legally, it refers to the Lieutenant Governor acting on, and with, the advice of the Executive Council or Cabinet. When the Cabinet makes a decision and it has been approved by the Lieutenant Governor, it is said to have been made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Concerns or questions about government policy should be addressed to the appropriate Government of Manitoba ministry. Alternatively, you may wish to consult the Office of the Ombudsman of Manitoba.
The Crown and Indigenous Peoples
The relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples in Manitoba is ever evolving and is an important focus of the Lieutenant Governor.
Read More
The Lieutenant Governor honours Indigenous traditions and heritage, including elements such as ceremonial protocol and acknowledgment of territories, and promotion of the vibrant and diverse cultures of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit in Manitoba to the rest of Canada. The Lieutenant Governor supports a dialogue of Reconciliation and respect.
Appointment & Support of Office
The Governor General in Council appoints the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada, for a period of not less than five years. Because it is not a term appointment, a Lieutenant Governor continues in office until a successor is appointed and installed.
Read More
The Lieutenant Governor lives at Government House, the beautiful historic official residence on the grounds of the Legislative Building in Winnipeg. The Lieutenant Governor’s office is located in the Legislative Building and includes the Blue Room, Her Honour’s official receiving room for events which occur there.
The staff of the Lieutenant Governor supports Her Honour in undertaking their various responsibilities and activities.
Her Honour is also supported by Honorary Aides-de-Camp appointed by the Lieutenant Governor who assist at events held at Government House as well as at outside functions. Honorary Aides de Camp represent the three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Winnipeg Police, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services, RCMP and civilians.
