Roles and Responsibilities
Lieutenant Governor's Position in our System of Government
What Does the Lieutenant Governor Do?
Other Activities of the Lieutenant Governor and
Spouse
Appointment and Support for Office
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 Aboriginal bands
and the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Lieutenant Governor’s Position in our System
of Government
Canada has a parliamentary form of government, with a constitutional
monarchy. It’s based on the British parliamentary model, but has been
adapted to suit our own needs. Canada’s Constitution recognizes The Queen
as our Head of State, representing the totality of the sovereign powers
of the country, which includes both the federal and provincial governments.
The Lieutenant Governor holds the highest office in the province, representing
The Queen as Head of State in Manitoba. 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 U.S. has a republican form of government, quite unlike
our parliamentary system.
The Crown is above party politics, and it gives citizens a non-partisan
focus for their loyalty to the province. As The Queen’s representative,
His 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.
What Does the Lieutenant Governor Do?
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.
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 where 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 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’s why
we call it responsible government.
Other Activities of the Lieutenant Governor
and Spouse
In addition to the Lieutenant Governor’s constitutional role, His Honour
and his spouse annually undertake hundreds of ceremonial, official and
community functions to fulfil their Vice-Regal responsibilities. Their
Honours host members of the Royal Family, the Governor General, Heads
of State from abroad and other dignitaries, on official visits to the
province. Their Honours offer 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.
The Lieutenant Governor continues the tradition of hosting New Year’s
Day levees for the public, judiciary, military, clergy and consular corps.
Their Honours serve as Patrons of various non-profit organizations, lending
the dignity and prestige of the Office to worthwhile causes. His Honour
presents Lieutenant Governor’s Awards recognizing achievements by Manitobans
in a wide range of endeavours, including the Order of Manitoba which he
serves as Chancellor, and presents other honours and awards on behalf
of other organizations throughout the province to deserving citizens.
Their Honours travel 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.
Appointment and Support for Office
The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General in Council
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.
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, His Honour’s official receiving room for events
which occur there.
The staff of the Lieutenant Governor support Their Honours in undertaking
their various responsibilities and activities. Their Honours are also
supported by Honorary Aides-de-Camp appointed by the Lieutenant Governor
who assist them at events held at Government House and accompany them
to outside functions they attend. The Aides serve in a voluntary capacity,
without remuneration. They represent the three branches of the Armed Services,
the police and civilians.
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