Katherine Bickford

Monument for the 50th Anniversary of Canadian Governor Generals

Since 1952 when Vincent Massey was appointed as the Governor General of Canada, the position has been held by a Canadian citizen. The monument on the grounds of Rideau Hall celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Canadian Governor Generals.

Though the present-day office of the Governor General of Canada is legislatively covered under the Constitution Act, 1867, and legally constituted by the Letters Patent, 1947, the institution is the oldest continuous and uniquely Canadian institution in Canada, having existed in an unbroken line since the appointment of Samuel de Champlain in 1627.

From 1867 to 1931, Canada’s governor general was chosen by the Sovereign, and the person chosen was always a British aristocrat. In 1931, the Canadian government was granted the responsibility to make recommendations to the Sovereign for the position of governor general.

In 1952 Louis St. Laurent became the first prime minister of Canada to recommend to to the Sovereign one single name without first consulting with the British prime minister: Vincent Massey, Canada’s first Canadian Governor General.

Since 1952, all of Canada’s governors general have been and must be Canadian citizens.

Former Governors General

• The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean 2005-2010
• The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson 1999-2005
• The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc 1995-1999
• The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn 1990-1995
• The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé 1984-1990
• The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer 1979-1984
• The Right Honourable Jules Léger 1974-1979
• The Right Honourable Roland Michener 1967-1974
• General The Right Honourable Georges Philias Vanier 1959-1967
• The Right Honourable Vincent Massey 1952-1959