Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

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The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the vice-regal representative of the Queen of Canada in the province of British Columbia. The role of the Lieutenant Governor is to carry out the constitutional and ceremonial duties of the monarch in the province.

The Governor General appoints the Lieutenant Governor of BC on the advice of the Prime Minister, and in consultation with the Premier of British Columbia. There is no set limit to a Lieutenant Governor's term, the traditional description being "at Her Majesty's pleasure."

The present Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the 28th to hold the position, is Steven Point, who has served in the role since October 1, 2007.

[edit] History

The office of Lieutenant Governor came into being upon British Columbia becoming a province of Canada. Prior to that time, the various colonies that later formed the province each had its own Lieutenant Governor.

Since 1871, twenty seven lieutenant governors have served British Columbia. Prior to British Columbia joining Confederation, they acted as Governors of the United Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia (1866-1871), Governors of British Columbia (1858-1866), and Governors of Vancouver Island (1849-1866). James Douglas had the distinction of serving as Governor of two of those colonies: the Colony of Vancouver Island and the Colony of British Columbia. Notable firsts include David Lam as the first Asian-Canadian Lieutenant Governor in Canada and Iona Campagnolo as the first female Lieutenant Governor in British Columbia. The shortest mandate by a Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia was Edward Gawler Prior, from 1919 to his death in 1920. The longest was George Pearkes, from October, 1960, to July, 1968.

See also: List of Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia

[edit] Duties

The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is vested with a number of governmental duties, as well as being expected to undertake various ceremonial roles. The Lieutenant Governor, him or herself a recipient of the award as Chancellor of the Order, bestows the Order of British Columbia on deserving BC citizens. Also, the Lieutenant Govenror awards the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence, the Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence in the British Columbia Wine Industry, the Vice Regal Commendation, and the Lieutenant Governor's Awards of Excellence in the British Columbia Wine Industry.

The Lieutenant Governor also attends various functions throughout the province and abroad, either as the host or a guest of honour. In 2003 the Lieutenant Governor undertook 275 engagements, and 410 in 2004.^[1]

For more detailed information on the Vice-regal's responsibilities in BC see: Lieutenant Governor (Canada)

[edit] Symbols

The Lieutenant Governor of BC bears a personal flag that consists of a blue field bearing the shield of the Arms of Her Majesty in Right of British Columbia, surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by ten gold maple leafs, symbolizing the ten provinces.

Further information: Flags of the Lieutenant Governors of Canada

[edit] See also

• List of Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia
• Governor General of Canada
• Monarchy in Canada

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Guthrie, Gavin and Aimers, John; $1.54 per Canadian: The cost of Canada's constitutional monarchy, 2005

[edit] Sources

• Daniel Francis (Editor) (1999). Encyclopedia of British Columbia. Harbour Publishing. ISBN 1-55017-200-X. 
• McGregor, D.A. (1967). They Gave Royal Assent - The Lieutenant-Governors of British Columbia. Mitchell Press Limited. 
• David J. Mitchell (1983). W.A.C.: Bennett and the Rise of British Columbia. Douglas & McIntyre. ISBN 0-88894-395-4. 

[edit] External links

• Official Website for the Lieutenant Governor and Government House.