The East Block (officially the Eastern Departmental Building ; French : Édifice administratif de l'est ) is one of the three buildings on Canada 's Parliament Hill , in Ottawa , Ontario , containing offices for parliamentarians, as well as some preserved pre- Confederation spaces.
141-722: Built in the Victorian High Gothic style , the East Block is, along with the Library of Parliament , one of only two buildings on Parliament Hill to have survived mostly intact since original construction. Though not as renowned as the Centre Block of parliament, the East Block formerly appeared on the face of the Journey Series design of the Canadian hundred-dollar bill . The East Block
282-584: A non-confidence motion in the House of Commons, advised Governor General the Viscount Byng of Vimy to dissolve the new parliament, but Byng refused. Peter Hogg , a constitutional scholar, has opined that "a system of responsible government cannot work without a formal head of state who is possessed of certain reserve powers." Further, Eugene Forsey stated "the reserve power is indeed, under our Constitution, an absolutely essential safeguard of democracy. It takes
423-508: A rubble fill core, and concrete floors more than 0.3 m (1 ft) thick. The main historic spaces in the East Block are restored to reflect the period around 1872. The former office of the Governor General of Canada contains its original furnishings, and the woodwork, fireplace, and plasterwork are finished as they would have been just a decade after Confederation. The office that had been occupied by Sir John A. Macdonald contains
564-505: A Canadian Republic has advocated the election of the nominee to the sovereign, either by popular or parliamentary vote; a proposal echoed by Clarkson, who called for the prime minister's choice to not only be vetted by a parliamentary committee, but, also submit to a televised quiz on Canadiana . Constitutional scholars, editorial boards, and the Monarchist League of Canada have argued against any such constitutional tinkering with
705-503: A Crown and sovereign meant to embody continuity. The governor general serves " at His Majesty's pleasure " (or the royal pleasure ), meaning the prime minister may recommend to the King that the viceroy remain in his service for a longer period of time; some governors general have been in office for more than seven years. No additional formalities are necessary for such an "extension"; the governor general carries on until death, resignation, or
846-524: A blue-grey Arnprior marble mantle, and the Prime Minister's furniture occupies the room. The previous Queen's Privy Council for Canada chamber holds a reproduction of the original table made at Upper Canada Village , above which hangs the same chandelier that hung there before the Second World War . The Department of Public Works sent out on 7 May 1859 a call for architects to submit proposals for
987-698: A church in Nova Scotia, though the Georgian and Neo-classical styles remained dominant for several decades. The first stone neo-Gothic structure in the Maritimes is St. John's Church in Saint John, New Brunswick . It dates to 1824, the same year work began on Notre-Dame. In the 1830s and 1840s, four prominent neo-Gothic churches were built in Quebec City , representing each of that city's major Protestant denominations. By
1128-590: A committee of the Privy Council known as the Cabinet and it is, in practice, only from this group of ministers of the Crown that the king and governor general will take advice on the use of executive power; an arrangement called the king-in-Council or, more specifically, the governor-in-Council . In this capacity, the governor general will issue royal proclamations and sign orders in council . The governor-in-Council
1269-585: A federal election, the governor general will curtail these public duties, so as not to appear as though they are involving themselves in political affairs. Although the constitution of Canada states that the "Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen," the governor general acts in his place as Commander-in-Chief of
1410-418: A flag or general officer, with a special flag or general officer sleeve braid embellished with the governor general's badge, and a large embroidered governor general's badge on the shoulder straps or boards , facing forward. French colonization of North America began in the 1580s and Aymar de Chaste was appointed in 1602 by King Henry IV as Viceroy of Canada. The explorer Samuel de Champlain became
1551-409: A governor general recommended by then-Prime Minister Bennett, which was a constitutionally unjustifiable position for Mackenzie King to take. King George V became concerned and instructed Bessborough to either remain in office until after the election or bring Bennett and Mackenzie King together to agree on a nominee for his replacement. The Governor General consulted with the Prime Minister and Leader of
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#17328488177541692-450: A governor general's husband. The viceregal household aids the governor general in the execution of the royal constitutional and ceremonial duties and is managed by the secretary to the governor general . The Chancellery of Honours depends from the King and is thus also located at Rideau Hall and administered by the governor general. As such, the viceroy's secretary ex officio holds the position of Herald Chancellor of Canada , overseeing
1833-585: A large construction programme as the government and civil service established itself in Ottawa and across the country. Rapid growth of cities, especially in Ontario, saw most Christian denominations in most cities build major churches during this period. The downtowns of most Canadian cities are thus dotted with Gothic Revival churches. Canada's historic secular institutions, such as universities and museums, were also founded in this era of rapid growth. There are other reasons
1974-485: A lifetime". The idea of a Canadian being appointed governor general was raised as early as 1919, when, at the Paris Peace Conference , Canadian prime minister Sir Robert Borden , consulted with South African prime minister Louis Botha , and the two agreed that the viceregal appointees should be long-term residents of their respective dominions . Calls for just such an individual to be made viceroy came again in
2115-466: A modified membership and its scope broadened to include the appointment of provincial lieutenant governors and territorial commissioners (though, the latter are not personal representatives of the monarch). However, the next ministry, headed by Justin Trudeau , disbanded the committee in 2017, before he recommended Payette as Johnston's successor that year. Following Payette's resignation, Trudeau formed
2256-407: A multitude of stone carvings , including gargoyles , grotesques , and friezes , keeping with the style of the rest of the parliamentary complex. This detail continues on the interior of the East Block, where emblems, such as wheat sheaves, were carved in stone originally to indicate the various government departments housed nearby. The level of quality and luxury of the offices initially indicated
2397-517: A number held seats in the British House of Lords by virtue of their inclusion in the peerage. Appointments of former ministers of the Crown in the 1980s and 1990s were criticized by Peter H. Russell , who stated in 2009: "much of [the] advantage of the monarchical system is lost in Canada when prime ministers recommend partisan colleagues to be appointed governor general and represent [the King]." Clarkson
2538-475: A position in the community which are consonant with the dignity and responsibility of that office." Massey stated of this, "a Canadian [as governor general] makes it far easier to look on the Crown as our own and on the Sovereign as Queen of Canada." This practice continued until 1999, when Queen Elizabeth II commissioned as her representative Adrienne Clarkson , a Hong Kong -born refugee to Canada. Moreover,
2679-493: A retired inn-keeper and his wife undergo the rigorous protocol of the royal household and sprawl on the floor before the Duke of Argyll so as to be granted the knighthood for which they had "paid in cold, hard cash". Later, prior to the arrival of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (the uncle of King George V ), to take up the post of governor general, there was a "feeble undercurrent of criticism" centring on worries about
2820-747: A rigid court at Rideau Hall; worries that turned out to be unfounded as the royal couple was actually more relaxed than their predecessors. During the First World War , into which Canada was drawn due to its association with the United Kingdom, the governor general's role turned from one of cultural patron and state ceremony to one of military inspector and morale booster. Starting in 1914, Governor General Prince Arthur donned his Field Marshal 's uniform and put his efforts into raising contingents, inspecting army camps, and seeing troops off before their voyage to Europe. These actions, however, led to conflict with
2961-558: A style that is often known as Collegiate Gothic. The newer universities of western Canada, such as the University of British Columbia and University of Saskatchewan , turned to traditional styles as they underwent large expansions. The older universities of Ontario also built several new Gothic Revival Structures. Gothic Revival finally almost completely disappeared after the Second World War, as Canada embraced Modern Architecture and
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#17328488177543102-806: Is Massey College at the University of Toronto . Its materials and the elements of its design are fully modern; however, the form and arrangement of those materials directly quotes from the Gothic Revival structures on campus. Another is the Windsor Arms Hotel , also in Toronto. It is a modern Gothic styled skyscraper built on the base of an older Gothic Revival structure from the start of the 20th century. Prominent Gothic Revival buildings across Canada listed by province. [REDACTED] Category Governor General of Canada The governor general of Canada ( French : gouverneure générale du Canada )
3243-681: Is also specifically tasked by the Constitution Act, 1867 , to appoint in the monarch's name, the lieutenant governors of the provinces , senators , the speaker of the Senate , superior , district, and county court judges in each province, except those of the Courts of Probate in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick , and high commissioners and ambassadors. The advice given by the Cabinet is, in order to ensure
3384-484: Is also tasked with fostering national unity and pride. Queen Elizabeth II stated in 1959, to then-Governor General Vincent Massey, "maintain[ing] the right relationship between the Crown and the people of Canada [is] the most important function among the many duties of the appointment which you have held with such distinction." One way in which this is carried out is travelling the country and meeting with Canadians from all regions and ethnic groups in Canada , continuing
3525-458: Is an historically influential style, with many prominent examples. The Gothic Revival style was imported to Canada from Britain and the United States in the early 19th century, and it rose to become the most popular style for major projects throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Gothic Revival era lasted longer and was more thoroughly embraced in Canada than in either Britain or
3666-539: Is assigned to 412 Transport Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron uses Bombardier Challenger 600 VIP jets to transport the governor general to locations within and outside of Canada. As the personal representative of the monarch, the governor general follows only the sovereign in the Canadian order of precedence , preceding even other members of the Royal Family. Though the federal viceroy
3807-460: Is considered primus inter pares amongst provincial counterparts, the governor general also outranks the lieutenant governors in the federal sphere; at provincial functions, however, the relevant lieutenant governor, as the King's representative in the province, precedes the governor general. The incumbent governor general and their spouse are also the only people in Canada, other than serving Canadian ambassadors and high commissioners , entitled to
3948-459: Is for an indefinite period—known as serving at His Majesty's pleasure —though, five years is the usual length of term. Since 1959, it has also been traditional to alternate between francophone and anglophone officeholders. The 30th and current governor general is Mary Simon , who was sworn in on 26 July 2021. An Inuk leader from Nunavik in Quebec , Simon is the first aboriginal person to hold
4089-582: Is in an 1811 proposal by Jeffry Wyatt for a new legislature in Quebec City . One of the first major Gothic Revival structures in Canada was Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal , which was designed in 1824 by the Irish-American James O'Donnell . The largest church in North America upon its completion, it was one of the first architectural works of international note to be built in Canada. It was also one of
4230-604: Is open to the public for tours in July and August. Designed by Thomas Stent and Augustus Laver , the East Block is an asymmetrical structure built in the Victorian High Gothic style, with load bearing masonry walls— being nearly 0.9 m (3 ft) thick at the ground level, expanding to 2.1 m (7 ft) thick at the base of the main tower. These are all clad in a rustic Nepean sandstone exterior and dressed stone trim around windows and other edges, as well as displaying
4371-643: Is passed to the registrar general for protection), as well as the chains of both the chancellor of the Order of Canada and of the Order of Military Merit . The governor general then gives a speech, outlining causes they will champion during their time as viceroy. If, and because your Governor-General is in the service of the Crown, he is, therefore ... in the service of Canada ... [A]loof though he be from actual executive responsibility, his attitude must be that of ceaseless and watchful readiness to take part ... in
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4512-458: Is permitted to exercise most of this power, including the royal prerogative , in the sovereign's name; some as outlined in the Constitution Act, 1867 , and some through various letters patent issued over the decades, particularly those from 1947 that constitute the Office of Governor General of Canada. The 1947 letters patent state, "and We do hereby authorize and empower Our Governor General, with
4653-460: Is the federal representative of the Canadian monarch , currently King Charles III . The king or queen of Canada is also monarch and head of state of 14 other Commonwealth realms and lives in the United Kingdom . The monarch, on the advice of his or her Canadian prime minister , appoints a governor general to administer the government of Canada in the monarch's name. The commission
4794-569: Is the official residence of the Canadian monarch and of the governor general and is thus the location of the viceregal household and the Chancellery of Honours. For a part of each year since 1872, governors general have also resided at the Citadel ( La Citadelle ) in Quebec City, Quebec . A governor general's wife is known as the chatelaine of Rideau Hall, though there is no equivalent term for
4935-411: Is to perform federal constitutional duties on behalf of the monarch. As such, the governor general carries on "the government of Canada on behalf and in the name of the sovereign". The governor general acts within the principles of parliamentary democracy and responsible government as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and as a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power. For
5076-488: The Canadian Armed Forces . The ceremonial duties include delivering the speech from the throne at the state opening of parliament ; accepting letters of credence from incoming ambassadors; and distributing honours, decorations, and medals . Per the tenets of responsible government , the governor general acts almost always (except on the matter of honours) on the advice of the prime minister. The office began in
5217-627: The Canadian Heraldic Authority —the mechanism of the Canadian honours system by which armorial bearings are granted to Canadians by the governor general in the name of the sovereign. These organized offices and support systems include aides-de-camp , press officers , financial managers, speech writers, trip organizers, event planners, protocol officers, chefs and other kitchen employees, waiters, and various cleaning staff, as well as visitors' centre staff and tour guides at both official residences. In this official and bureaucratic capacity,
5358-575: The Canadian Privy Council . However, the governor still remained not a viceroy, in the true sense of the word, being still a representative of and liaison to the British government —the Queen in her British council of ministers—who answered to the secretary of state for the colonies in London and who, as a British observer of Canadian politics, held well into the First World War a suite of offices in
5499-627: The Duke of Devonshire , or by prior elevation by the sovereign in their own right, as was the case with Earl Alexander of Tunis . None were life peers , the Life Peerages Act 1958 postdating the beginning of the tradition of appointing Canadian citizens as governor general. John Buchan was, in preparation for his appointment as governor general, made the Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield in the County of Oxford by King George V , six months before Buchan
5640-457: The East Block of Parliament Hill . But, the new position of Canadian high commissioner to the United Kingdom , created in 1880, began to take over the governor general's role as a link between the Canadian and British governments, leaving the viceroy increasingly as a personal representative of the monarch. As such, the governor general had to retain a sense of political neutrality; a skill that
5781-521: The Great Seal of Canada and with the royal sign-manual . (Until the appointment of Vincent Massey in 1952, the royal commission was authorized by the monarch's signature and signet . ) That individual is, from then until being sworn in, referred to as the governor general-designate . Besides the administration of the oaths of office, there is no set formula for the swearing-in of a governor general-designate. Though there may therefore be variations to
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5922-519: The International Style . This was motivated by the prevailing fashion of the period, but also by economics and technology. The stark new structures of steel and glass were vastly cheaper than the often ornate stone constructions of the neo-Gothic style. The style thus almost completely disappeared. The rise of postmodern architecture , with its interest in history and place, has seen the occasional reintegration of Gothic Revival styles. One example
6063-705: The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem . As acting commander-in-chief, the governor general is further routinely granted the Canadian Forces' Decoration by the chief of the Defence Staff on behalf of the monarch. All of these honours are retained following an incumbent's departure from office, with the individual remaining in the highest categories of the orders, and they may also be further distinguished with induction into other orders or
6204-477: The Order of Canada as Companions, as well as appointing the former as a Commander of both the Order of Military Merit and the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (should either person not have already received either of those honours). The incumbent will generally serve for at least five years; though, this is only a developed convention and has been criticized as too short for an office meant to represent
6345-638: The Rebellion Losses Bill , despite his personal misgivings towards the legislation. This arrangement continued after the reunification in 1840 of Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada , and the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. The governor general carried out in Canada all the parliamentary and ceremonial functions of a constitutional monarch—amongst other things, granting Royal Assent, issuing Orders-in-Council, and taking advice from
6486-634: The Royal Canadian Navy ) awaits to give a general salute . From there, the party is led by the King's parliamentary messenger—the usher of the Black Rod —to the Senate chamber , wherein all justices of the Supreme Court , senators, members of Parliament , and other guests are assembled. The King's commission for the governor general-designate is then read aloud by the secretary to the governor general and
6627-545: The Senate and House of Commons of Canada . The position of governor general is mandated by both the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly known as the British North America Act, 1867 ), and the letters patent issued in 1947 by King George VI . As such, on the recommendation of the Canadian prime minister , the Canadian monarch appoints the governor general by commission, prepared in Canada, and issued under
6768-626: The United States of America and the transfer of East Florida and West Florida to Spain, the remaining British colonies of North America, including Bermuda , were partly integrated as British North America . During the War of 1812 , Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost was appointed as "Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and Over the Provinces of Upper-Canada, Lower-Canada, Nova-Scotia, and New-Brunswick, and Their Several Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of
6909-497: The governor general's flag is employed. The present form was adopted on 23 February 1981 and, in the federal jurisdiction, takes precedence over all other flags except for the King's personal Canadian standard . When the governor general undertakes a state visit, however, the national flag is generally employed to mark governor general's presence. This flag is also, along with all flags on Canadian Forces property, flown at half-mast upon
7050-448: The viceroy to exercise almost all powers on behalf of the monarch. As a matter of law, however, the governor general is not in the same constitutional position as the sovereign; the office itself does not independently possess any powers of the royal prerogative . Any constitutional amendment that affects the Crown , including the office of governor general, requires the unanimous consent of each provincial legislative assembly as well as
7191-513: The 17th century, when the French Crown appointed governors of the colony of Canada and, following the British conquest of the colony in 1763, the British monarch appointed governors of the Province of Quebec (later the Canadas ). Consequently, the office is, along with the Crown, the oldest continuous institution in Canada. The present version of the office emerged with Canadian Confederation and
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#17328488177547332-532: The 1840s, the Gothic Revival style had become virtually universal among Anglicans and was used for most other Christian denominations as well. As in much of the English speaking world, the lancet windows and buttresses of the Gothic Revival style soon became permanently associated in most people's mind with ecclesiastical buildings. It was soon also embraced for secular purposes as well, such as government buildings and universities. Canadian universities modeled themselves on
7473-452: The 1919 Nickle Resolution . Under the orders' constitutions, the governor general serves as Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada , Chancellor of the Order of Military Merit , and Chancellor of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces . The governor general also upon installation automatically becomes a Knight or Dame of Justice and the Prior and Chief Officer in Canada of
7614-663: The Advisory Group on the Selection of the Next Governor General, which selected Mary Simon for appointment as vicereine. The swearing-in ceremony begins with the arrival at 7 Rideau Gate of one of the ministers of the Crown , who then accompanies the governor general-designate to Parliament Hill , where a Canadian Forces guard of honour (consisting of the Army Guard, Royal Canadian Air Force Guard, and Flag Party of
7755-470: The Annex in Toronto, have many examples of houses that incorporate neo-Gothic elements. This includes a highly vertical emphasis on the structure; ornate decorations on the gables , often incorporating classic Gothic trefoil forms; and lancet windows and door frames. In rural Ontario the ubiquitous Ontario Cottage was often adorned with Gothic elements. The Gothic Revival style started to wane in popularity in
7896-512: The British government to grant responsible government to the Canadian provinces. As a result, the viceroys became largely nominal heads, while the democratically elected legislatures and the premiers they supported exercised the authority belonging to the Crown; a concept first put to the test when, in 1849, Governor-General of the Province of Canada and Lieutenant-Governor of Canada East James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin granted Royal Assent to
8037-551: The Buildings is the Gothic of the 12th and 13th Centuries, with modification to suit the climate of Canada. The ornamental work and the dressing round the windows are of Ohio sandstone. The plain surface is faced with a cream-colored sandstone of the Potsdam formation, obtained from Nepean, a few miles from Ottawa. The spandrils of the arches, and the spaces between window-arches and the sills of
8178-470: The Canadian Forces and is permitted through the 1947 Letters Patent to use the title Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada . The position technically involves issuing commands for Canadian troops, airmen, and sailors, but is predominantly a ceremonial role in which the viceroy will visit Canadian Forces bases across Canada and abroad to take part in military ceremonies, see troops off to and return from active duty, and encourage excellence and morale amongst
8319-428: The Crown. At the Imperial Conference in 1930 , it was decided that the Commonwealth ministers would "tender their formal advice after informal consultation with His Majesty," thereby settling the current procedure wherein the monarch appoints the governor general on the advice of the Canadian prime minister only. This was codified in the Statute of Westminster, 1931 . How many names the prime minister puts forward to
8460-431: The Dominion's first cabinet crisis, wherein Macdonald died, leaving Lord Stanley of Preston to select a new prime minister. As early as 1880, the viceregal family and court attracted minor ridicule from the Queen's subjects: in July of that year, someone under the pseudonym Captain Mac included in a pamphlet called Canada: from the Lakes to the Gulf , a coarse satire of an investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall, in which
8601-416: The First World War Toronto saw work begin on three of its best known neo-Gothic structures, Casa Loma , the CHUM-City Building , and Hart House . While the three buildings were erected for completely different purposes, and a very distinct in style, they are all clearly Gothic in inspiration. In the years after the First World War , when the Gothic Revival was being supplanted in most of the world, Canada
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#17328488177548742-448: The Gothic Revival style was almost universal among Christian religious buildings, it was less so among secular structures. Other revival styles were also popular. Romanesque Revival buildings were popular, as were neo-classical structures. No provincial legislature copied the style of the Parliament buildings. Even in Ottawa several federal government buildings of this period embraced other styles. Pure Gothic forms were mostly unsuited to
8883-422: The Gothic Revival style, of which long serving Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King was a strong supporter, for several decades. As the federal government expanded, two major civil service office buildings were built in the Gothic style just to the west of Parliament Hill in the 1930s. After the First World War some of the most prominent Gothic Revival structures were constructed by Canada's universities, in
9024-399: The Gothic styles became so widespread in Canada. The steep roofs and thick stone walls were well suited to Canada's northern climate. In the United States architects liked to link their republic to those of Ancient Greece and Rome through the neo-classical style. Canada's Loyalists had no such leanings, and the English-Canadian elite was strongly Anglophilic and monarchist. Gothic architecture
9165-470: The King and country abroad on state visits to other nations , though the monarch's permission is necessary, via the prime minister, for the viceroy to leave Canada. Also as part of international relations, the governor general issues letters of credence and of recall for Canadian ambassadors and high commissioners and receives the same from foreign ambassadors and other Commonwealth countries' high commissioners appointed to Canada. The governor general
9306-409: The King's name; legally, the governor general has three options: grant royal assent (making the bill a law), withhold royal assent (vetoing the bill), or reserve the bill for the signification of the king's pleasure (allowing the sovereign to personally grant or withhold assent). If the governor general withholds the King's assent, the sovereign may within two years disallow the bill, thereby annulling
9447-410: The King, which was accepted. Louis St. Laurent , however, gave only one name—Massey's—to George VI. There is typically informal consultation between the prime minister and sovereign, either directly or via the incumbent governor general, on the appointment of the next viceroy before the prime minister gives his official advice to the monarch. The only time the leader of the opposition was consulted on
9588-431: The Opposition and settled on Tweedsmuir. Until 1952, all governors general were members of the British aristocracy or former British military officers, diplomats, or politicians raised to the peerage . These viceroys had spent no or little time in Canada prior to their appointment; though it was claimed as their travel schedules were so extensive that they could "learn more about Canada in five years than many Canadians in
9729-421: The Province of Quebec, to accommodate the influx of United Empire Loyalists fleeing the American revolutionary war , that the king's representative, with a change in title to Governor General , directly governed Lower Canada , while the other three colonies were each administered by a lieutenant governor in his stead. Following the 1783 recognition of the independence of the 13 continental colonies that became
9870-414: The Same, Lieutenant-General and Commander of all His Majesty's Forces in the Said Provinces of Lower Canada and Upper-Canada, Nova-Scotia, and New-Brunswick, and Their Several Dependencies, and in the Islands of Newfoundland, Prince Edward, Cape Breton, and the Bermudas, &c. &c. &c." The Rebellions of 1837 brought about great changes to the role of the governor general, prompting, as they did,
10011-449: The United States, only falling out of style in the 1930s. The period during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was also a time when many major Canadian institutions were founded. Throughout Canada, many of the most prominent religious, civic, and scholastic institutions are housed in Gothic Revival style buildings. During the 1960s and 1970s, several scholars (most notably Alan Gowans) embraced Canadian Gothic Revival architecture as one of
10152-453: The administrator of the government upon the death or removal, as well as the incapacitation, or absence of the governor general for more than one month. The governor general is required by the Constitution Act, 1867 , to appoint for life persons to the King's Privy Council for Canada , who are all technically tasked with tendering to the monarch and viceroy guidance on the exercise of the royal prerogative. Convention dictates, though, that
10293-423: The advice of Our Privy Council for Canada or of any members thereof or individually, as the case requires, to exercise all powers and authorities lawfully belonging to Us in respect of Canada." The office itself does not, however, independently possess any powers of the royal prerogative, only exercising the Crown's powers with its permission; a fact the Constitution Act, 1867 , left unchanged. Among other duties,
10434-525: The appointment of his or her successor. Only once, with the Earl Alexander of Tunis , has a royal proclamation been issued to end a governor general's incumbency. Should a governor general die, resign, or leave the country for longer than one month, the chief justice of Canada (or, if that position is vacant or unavailable, the senior puisne justice of the Supreme Court) serves as the administrator of
10575-413: The atmosphere of faction; without adherents to reward or opponents to oust from office; docile to the suggestions of his Ministers and, yet, securing to the people the certainty of being able to get rid of an administration or parliament the moment either had forfeited their confidence." All executive , legislative , and judicial power in and over Canada is vested in the monarch. The governor general
10716-513: The autonomy and equal status of Commonwealth governments, governors general ceased to be advised in any way by British ministers. It was decided at the same Imperial Conference that the governor general "should be kept as fully informed as His Majesty the King in Great Britain of Cabinet business and public affairs." How frequently governors general and their prime ministers conversed has varied; some prime ministers have valued their meetings with
10857-408: The cabinet of William Pitt adopted in the 1780s the idea that they, along with Quebec and Prince Edward Island , should have as their respective governors a single individual styled as governor-in-chief . The post was created in 1786, with Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester as its first occupant. However, the governor-in-chief directly governed only Quebec. It was not until the splitting in 1791 of
10998-445: The choice of name to put forward to the monarch for appointment as viceroy was when Lord Tweedsmuir 's predecessor, Bessborough, wished to resign as governor general coincidentally just ahead of Parliament reaching the end of its maximum five year life in July 1935, after which an election was required. Mackenzie King, at the time leader of the opposition , expected to win a majority in the upcoming election and stated he would not accept
11139-610: The church leadership favoured a neo-baroque style more closely linked to the architecture of New France . The Victorian High Gothic period also saw a willingness to combine the neo-Gothic with other styles. Two important examples of a mix between Gothic and Romanesque styles are University College in Toronto and the British Columbia Parliament Buildings . Variations on the neo-Gothic style developed in Britain were also imported to Canada. The Scottish baronial style
11280-462: The day to day requirements of residential and commercial properties; however, neo-Gothic ornamentation and principles were successfully adapted to these uses, and these structures became quite popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In rural areas the Gothic Cottage was immensely popular until well into the 20th century. Neighbourhoods that grew during this period, such as Cabbagetown and
11421-472: The death of an incumbent or former governor general. The crest of the Royal Arms of Canada is employed as the badge of the governor general, appearing on the viceroy's flag and on other objects associated with the person or the office. This is the fourth such incarnation of the governor general's mark since confederation. The governor general may also wear the uniform and corresponding cap or hat badge of
11562-668: The entire household is often referred to as Government House and its departments are funded through the normal federal budgetary process , as is the governor general's salary of CAD$ 288,900, which has been taxed since 2013. Additional costs are incurred from separate ministries and organizations such as the National Capital Commission , the Department of National Defence , and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The governor general's air transportation
11703-464: The expansion of the country, however, ever more office space was desired; in 1910 a new wing was added to the rear of the East Block, enclosing the courtyard, providing area for the Civil Service and vault space, and costing $ 359,121. In the East Block's early days, the wives of ministers and senior staff attended tea in the building each Thursday afternoon, and other socializing took place outside of
11844-485: The external air intakes were closed off for fear of German spies entering them. Thereafter, the East Block showed more and more decay, which was further exacerbated by crude renovations and interventions during the Modernist period, and, at several points, the idea of demolishing the building in favour of a modern office block was put forward. However, restoration of some interiors began in 1966, seeing Macdonald's office and
11985-428: The first Catholic Gothic Revival structures, as the movement would not spread from Britain to France and continental Europe until several years later. As the most prominent church in the colony, its form was much imitated by local church builders, who constructed miniature versions of the basilica across Quebec. Protestants also embraced the style. As early as the late 18th century, certain Gothic elements had appeared in
12126-430: The first unofficial Governor of New France in the early 17th century, serving until Charles Huault de Montmagny was in 1636 formally appointed to the post by King Louis XIII . The French Company of One Hundred Associates then administered New France until King Louis XIV took control of the colony and appointed Augustin de Saffray de Mésy as the first governor general in 1663, after whom 12 more people served in
12267-444: The following, the appointee will usually travel to Ottawa , there receiving an official welcome and taking up residence at 7 Rideau Gate , and will begin preparations for their upcoming role, meeting with various high-level officials to ensure a smooth transition between governors general. The sovereign will also hold an audience with the appointee and will at that time induct both the governor general-designate and their spouse into
12408-513: The forces. The governor general also serves as honorary Colonel of three household regiments : the Governor General's Horse Guards , Governor General's Foot Guards and Canadian Grenadier Guards . This ceremonial position is directly under that of Colonel-in-Chief , which is held by the King. Since 1910, the governor general was also always made the chief scout for Canada, which was renamed Chief Scout of Canada after 1946 and again in 2011 as Patron Scout . Rideau Hall , located in Ottawa,
12549-436: The fostering of every influence that will sweeten and elevate public life; to ... join in making known the resources and developments of the country; to vindicate, if required, the rights of the people and the ordinariness and Constitution, and lastly, to promote by all means in his power, without reference to class or creed, every movement and every institution calculated to forward the social, moral, and religious welfare of
12690-585: The government of Canada and exercises all powers of the governor general. In a speech on the subject of Confederation , made in 1866 to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada , John A. Macdonald said of the planned governor, "we place no restriction on Her Majesty's prerogative in the selection of her representative ... The sovereign has unrestricted freedom of choice ... We leave that to Her Majesty in all confidence." However, between 1867 and 1931, governors general were appointed by
12831-504: The governor general must draw from the Privy Council an individual to appoint as prime minister . In almost all cases, this is the member of Parliament who commands the confidence of the House of Commons , whom the governor general must appoint to the Privy Council, if that person is not already a member, so the individual can be appointed prime minister. The prime minister then advises the governor general to appoint other members of parliament to
12972-687: The governor general, and at that moment the flag of the governor general of Canada is raised on the Peace Tower , the " Vice Regal Salute " is played by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces , and a 21-gun salute is conducted by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery . The governor general is seated on the throne while a prayer is read, and then receives the Great Seal of Canada (which
13113-689: The great British universities, Oxford and Cambridge , and this extended to embracing the Collegiate Gothic architecture used in their construction. Two of the first Gothic Revival colleges were Trinity College in Toronto and Bishop's University in Quebec. In the later half of the 19th century, Gothic Revival architecture became the dominant style for major Canadian buildings. As the style became accepted and popular, architects became more willing to experiment and modify its conventions. While previous Gothic Revival architects had attempted to closely recapture
13254-560: The head of state and the Order of Canada, itself. In 2021, Grand Chief Vernon Watchmaker and Chief Germaine Anderson of the Six Nations of the Grand River wrote to Queen Elizabeth II, suggesting that the federal Cabinet consult treaty nations before the appointment of a new governor general, stating, "we are partners with the Crown ." A new approach was used in 2010 for the selection of David Johnston as governor general-designate. For
13395-473: The home of the office of the governor general and the offices for all the Cabinet ministers , the East Block was immediately occupied by the Viscount Monck and his prime minister , John A. Macdonald , who occupied the room at the south west corner of the second floor; the same room was also used by Lester B. Pearson when he was Secretary for External Affairs . George-Étienne Cartier used an office at
13536-451: The independently Canadian sovereign (the monarch in his Canadian council). Throughout this process of gradually increasing Canadian independence, the role of governor general took on additional responsibilities, such as acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian militia in the monarch's stead, and, in 1927, the first official international visit by a governor general was made. In 1947, King George VI issued letters patent allowing
13677-539: The inhabitants of the Dominion. Governor General the Marquess of Aberdeen , 1893 Canada shares the person of the sovereign equally with 14 other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations and that individual, in the monarch's capacity as the Canadian sovereign, has 10 other legal personas within the Canadian federation . As the sovereign works and resides in the United Kingdom, the governor general's primary task
13818-474: The job, "it is no easy thing to be a governor general of Canada. You must have the patience of a saint, the smile of a cherub , the generosity of an Indian prince, and the back of a camel", and the Earl of Dufferin stated that the governor general is "a representative of all that is august, stable, and sedate in the government, the history and the traditions of the country; incapable of partizanship and lifted far above
13959-399: The late 1930s, but, it was not until Massey's appointment by King George VI in 1952 that the position was filled by a Canadian-born individual. The prime minister at the time, Louis St. Laurent, wrote in a letter to the media, "[i]t seems to me no one of the King's subjects, wherever he resides, should be considered unworthy to represent the King, provided he has the personal qualifications and
14100-681: The late 19th century, with grandiose railway hotels such as the Château Frontenac and Banff Springs Hotel . It mixed Gothic Revival with elements borrowed from the castles of the Loire in France. Gothic Revival became the dominant style of Canadian civic architecture largely as a matter of timing. The mid and late 19th century was the period that the Canadian state was formed and when many of its secular and religious institutions were established. Canadian Confederation occurred in 1867, and subsequent years saw
14241-525: The late 19th century. New technologies such as steel building frames, elevators, and electric lighting were having a considerable impact on how buildings could be used and constructed. Newer styles such as the Beaux-Arts and Art Deco came to prominence. However, this was much less true in Canada. Gothic Revival architecture continued to be one of the most important building styles well into the 1940s, though often in highly modified and original forms. Just before
14382-571: The law in question. No governor general has denied royal assent to a bill. Provincial viceroys, however, are able to reserve royal assent to provincial bills for the governor general, which was last invoked in 1961 by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan . With most constitutional functions lent to Cabinet, the governor general acts in a primarily ceremonial fashion. The governor general will host members of Canada's royal family , as well as foreign royalty and heads of state, and will represent
14523-539: The monarch on the advice of the British Cabinet ; until 1890, by the secretary of state for the colonies for approval by the prime minister. After that, a policy of consulting the Canadian Cabinet was established; though, this process was not always followed. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognized the governor general as no longer a stand-in for the British government, but, rather a direct representative of
14664-416: The monarch retains the sole right to appoint the governor general. It is also stipulated that the governor general may appoint deputies —usually Supreme Court justices and the secretary to the governor general—who can perform some of the viceroy's constitutional duties in the governor general's absence, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court (or a puisne justice in the chief justice's absence) will act as
14805-507: The most part, however, the powers of the Crown are exercised on a day-to-day basis by elected and appointed individuals, leaving the governor general to perform the various ceremonial duties the sovereign otherwise carries out when in the country; at such a moment, the governor general removes him or herself from public, though the presence of the monarch does not affect the governor general's ability to perform governmental roles. Past governor general John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne , said of
14946-485: The nation's signature styles and as an integral part of Canadian nationalism . While largely abandoned in the modernist period, several postmodern architects have embraced Canada's neo-Gothic past. Gothic Architecture is a name given in retrospect to many of the major projects of the High Middle Ages . As this period covered the 13th and 14th centuries, there are no authentic Gothic buildings in Canada. The style
15087-408: The new parliament buildings to be erected on Barrack Hill , which was answered by 298 submitted drawings. After the entries were narrowed down to three, then Governor General Sir Edmund Walker Head was approached to break the stalemate, and the winner was announced on 29 August. The departmental buildings, Centre Block , and a new residence for the governor general were each awarded separately, and
15228-473: The northern end of the west wing, which was thereafter used by every prime minister until Pierre Trudeau . The Queen's Privy Council chamber was used for cabinet meetings for 105 years, and was where the British North America Act 1867 was formulated, decisions about the Red River Rebellions were made, and Canada's war involvement was orchestrated. As the number of staff on Parliament Hill grew with
15369-449: The office. As the sovereign's representative, the governor general carries out the day-to-day constitutional and ceremonial duties of the monarch. The constitutional duties include appointing lieutenant governors , Supreme Court justices, and senators ; signing orders-in-council ; summoning, proroguing , and dissolving the federal parliament ; granting royal assent to bills; calling elections; and signing commissions for officers of
15510-543: The passing of the British North America Act, 1867 . Although the post initially still represented the government of the United Kingdom (that is, the monarch in his British council ), the office was gradually Canadianized until, with the passage of the Statute of Westminster, 1931 , and the establishment of a separate and uniquely Canadian monarchy, the governor general became the direct personal representative of
15651-652: The place of the legal and judicial safeguards provided in the United States by written Constitutions, enforceable in the courts." Within the Dominions , until the 1920s, most reserve powers were exercised by a governor-general on the advice of either the local or the British Cabinet, with the latter taking precedence. After the Imperial Conference of 1926 produced the Balfour Declaration , formally establishing
15792-565: The post. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, France relinquished most of its North American territories, including Canada, to Great Britain . King George III then issued in that same year a royal proclamation establishing, amongst other regulations, the Office of the Governor of Quebec to preside over the new Province of Quebec . Nova Scotia and New Brunswick remained completely separate colonies, each with their own governor, until
15933-669: The practice of alternating between francophone and anglophone Canadians was instituted with the appointment of Vanier, a francophone who succeeded the anglophone Massey. All persons whose names are put forward to the King for approval must first undergo background checks by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service . Although required by the tenets of constitutional monarchy to be nonpartisan while in office, governors general were often former politicians;
16074-577: The prime minister at the time, Robert Borden ; though the latter placed blame on Military Secretary Edward Stanton, he also opined that the Duke "laboured under the handicap of his position as a member of the Royal Family and never realized his limitations as Governor General". Prince Arthur's successor, Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire , faced the Conscription Crisis of 1917 and held discussions with his Canadian prime minister, as well as members of
16215-505: The prime minister to resign on two occasions: In 1896, Prime Minister Charles Tupper refused to step down after his party failed to win a majority in the House of Commons during that year's election , leading Governor General the Earl of Aberdeen to no longer recognize Tupper as prime minister and disapprove of several appointments Tupper had recommended. In 1925, the King–Byng affair took place, in which Prime Minister Mackenzie King, facing
16356-405: The privy council chamber returned to an 1870 appearance, and after which the public was allowed entry for a few hours each weekend. Another spurt of renovations were completed in 1981, wherein the governor general's former office was restored, and then the mechanical and electrical systems, and the masonry of the 1910 wing, which had never previously been worked on, were renovated in 1997. Plans for
16497-459: The receipt of other awards. The Viceregal Salute — composed of the first six bars of the Royal Anthem (" God Save the King ") followed by the first and last four bars of the national anthem (" O Canada ") — is the salute used to greet the governor general upon arrival and departure from most official events. To mark the viceroy's presence at any building, ship, airplane, or car in Canada,
16638-548: The required oaths are administered to the appointee by either the chief justice or one of the puisne justices of the Supreme Court ; the three oaths are: the Oath of Allegiance , the Oath of Office as Governor General and Commander-in-Chief, and the Oath as Keeper of the Great Seal of Canada . With the affixing of their signature to these three solemn promises, the individual is officially
16779-673: The restoration of the Parliamentary precinct originally called for the temporary relocation of the Senate chamber to the inner courtyard of the East Block. However, the revised plan saw the Senate chamber housed in the former Union Station, currently the Government Conference Centre , after renovations are completed to that building in 2018. Gothic Revival architecture in Canada#Victorian High Gothic Gothic Revival architecture in Canada
16920-470: The same, but their arrangement was uniquely modern. The Parliament Buildings also departed from Medieval models by integrating a variety of eras and styles of Gothic architecture, including elements of Gothic architecture from Britain, France, the Low Countries, and Italy all in one building. In his Hand Book to the Parliamentary and Departmental Buildings, Canada (1867), Joseph Bureau wrote, "The style of
17061-465: The sovereign has varied. Richard Bennett suggested a number of names in an informal letter to King George V in 1930, all of which the King approved, leading Bennett to pick Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough . Mackenzie King in 1945 gave three names to King George VI, who chose Harold Alexander (later the Viscount Alexander of Tunis). Mackenzie King then made the formal recommendation to
17202-403: The spaces have been reorganized so that the East Block now houses, as well as ministers, members of parliament, senators, and parliamentary administrators. Corridors and entranceways are also lit by windows filled with stained glass , and contemporary adaptations of the original gas fixtures adorn the walls. Beneath the decor stand 0.6 m (2 ft) wide, double- wythe masonry partitions with
17343-499: The stability of government, by political convention typically binding. The governor general has mainly only the right to advise, encourage, and warn; to offer valued counsel to the prime minister. Both the King and his viceroy, however, may in exceptional circumstances invoke the reserve powers , which remain the Crown's final check against a ministry's abuse of power. The reserve power of dismissal has never been used in Canada, although other reserve powers have been employed to force
17484-408: The status of the inhabitant: large, wood panelled chambers with marble fireplaces and richly decorated plaster ceilings served for ministers of the Crown ; intricate, but somewhat less detailed cornices were sufficient for senior bureaucrats; and basic, machine-made woodwork and concrete fireplace mantles filled rooms set aside for clerks. Though much of the original decor has been retained or restored,
17625-566: The style of the Middle Ages, the new architects retained the Medieval motifs, but recombined them in entirely new ways. One of the most important examples of this style anywhere in the world were the Parliament Buildings designed by Thomas Fuller . While the style and design of the building is unquestionably Gothic, it resembles no building constructed during the Middle Ages. The forms were
17766-580: The task, Prime Minister Stephen Harper convened a special search group—the Governor General Consultation Committee —which was instructed to find a non-partisan candidate who would respect the monarchical aspects of the viceregal office and conducted extensive consultations with more than 200 people across the country. In 2012, the committee was made permanent and renamed as the Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments , with
17907-496: The team of Thomas Stent and Augustus Laver, under the pseudonym of Stat nomen in umbra , won the prize for the first category. Construction on the East Block commenced by the end of 1859, at the same time as work on the Centre Block and Stent and Laver's West Block began. By the time it was completed in 1866, the building was four years behind schedule and costs had risen to $ 706,549, when $ 150,000 had originally been allocated. As
18048-466: The tradition begun in 1869 by Governor General the Lord Lisgar . The governor general will also induct individuals into the various national orders and present national medals and decorations. Similarly, the viceroy administers and distributes the Governor General's Awards , and will also give out awards associated with private organizations , some of which are named for past governors general. During
18189-520: The upper windows, are filled up with a quaint description of stonework, composed of stones of irregular size, shape and colour, very neatly set together." This style was also embraced for religious architecture. In most towns in Ontario, and also in many parts of the newly settled west and the Maritimes, elaborate High Gothic churches were built. Unlike in the earlier era, the French Catholic church in Quebec did not embrace this style. During this period
18330-471: The use of the style His or Her Excellency and the governor general is granted the additional honorific of the Right Honourable for their time in office and for life afterwards. Until 1952, all governors general of Canada were members of the peerage or heir apparent to a peerage. Typically, individuals appointed as federal viceroy were already a peer, either by inheriting the title, such as
18471-520: The viceregal appointment process, stating that the position being "not elected is an asset, not a handicap", and that an election would politicize the office, thereby undermining the impartiality necessary to the proper functioning of the governor general. Retired University of Ottawa professor John E. Trent proposed the governor general be head of state and selected by the Officers of the Order of Canada , something Chris Selley argued would politicize both
18612-494: The viceroy at the time. However, the practice is usually informal and the prime minister will typically schedule a telephone call to request the governor general perform a significant task. The governor general regularly receives the minutes from Cabinet meetings and any documents referred to in those minutes. The governor general also summons Parliament, reads the speech from the throne , and prorogues and dissolves Parliament. The governor general grants royal assent in
18753-508: The working hours of 10am to 4pm. As well, governors general held their annual New Year 's Levee in the building from 1870 until the Marquess of Willingdon moved the event to the Centre Block in 1928. Though the building contained many examples of the cutting edge technology of the time, such as a system of electric bells for communications, and state of the art sanitary, ventilation, and heating equipment, its spaces were continually chilly in winter and overheated in summer; during World War I ,
18894-442: Was also experiencing greatly strengthened Canadian nationalism . For the first time the Canadian political and cultural elite began to seek a path distinct from that being followed in the United Kingdom and United States. As so many notable Canadian structures were Gothic Revival in style it became closely linked to Canadian identity, and was embraced by the new Canadian nationalism. Perhaps the most important Gothic Revival structure
19035-534: Was employed by Chief Dominion Architect David Ewart to create a number of castle like structures in Ottawa. New materials were also incorporated. Cast iron allowed stronger structures with thinner supporting walls to be built, while some recreated gothic forms in brick, rather than the traditional stone or wood. One style that rose to special prominence was the Château Style of Canada's grand railway hotels , also known as Railway Gothic. This style first appeared in
19176-473: Was put to the test when John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne , disagreed with his Canadian prime minister, John A. Macdonald , over the dismissal of Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Luc Letellier de St-Just . On the advice of the colonial secretary, and to avoid conflict with the Canadian Cabinet, Campbell did eventually concede and released St-Just from duty. The governor general was then in May 1891 called upon to resolve
19317-472: Was quite out of favour in the 17th century, when Europeans first began erecting structures in Canada, and the style is absent from the early settlements in New France and the Maritimes . In the 18th century, a growing spirit of Romanticism and interest in the Medieval past led to a revival of Gothic styles in Britain. The style made its way to Canada during the early 19th century. One of the first appearances
19458-426: Was seen as symbolic of this. In the late 19th century as Canada began to see an influx of Southern and Eastern European immigrants, the nativist backlash also embraced Gothic Revival architecture as emblematic of Canada's identity as a homeland for the "northern race." In French Canada the civic and religious authorities of the 19th and early 20th century also embraced a strident conservatism. While during this period
19599-439: Was sworn in as viceroy. The leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition at the time, Mackenzie King, felt Buchan should serve as governor general as a commoner. However, George V insisted he be represented by a peer. With the appointment of Massey as governor general in 1952, governors general ceased to be members of the peerage; successive prime ministers since that date have held to the non-binding and defeated (in 1934) principles of
19740-422: Was the first governor general in Canadian history without either a political or military background, as well as the first Asian-Canadian and the second woman, following on Jeanne Sauvé . The third woman to hold this position was also the first Caribbean-Canadian governor general, Michaëlle Jean . There have been, from time to time, proposals put forward for modifications to the selection process. Citizens for
19881-568: Was the new Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament. The Gothic Revival monument of Thomas Fuller was destroyed by a fire in 1917. Despite the half a century that had elapsed since the first parliament was built, the Gothic Revival style was still the obvious choice to the Canadian Government. The new building had several important differences from the old one, most notably the new Peace Tower . The federal government continued building in
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