(Redirected from Governor of Newfoundland)
The 'Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador' is the
vice-regal representative of the
Queen of Canada in the province of
Newfoundland and Labrador. 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 Newfoundland and Labrador on the advice of the
Prime Mininster, and in consultation with the
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. 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 Newfoundland and Labrador is
Edward Roberts, who has served in the role since 2002.
History
Since 1949, eleven lieutenant-governors have served Newfoundland and Labrador. Previously they acted as
Commission Governors (1934-1949),
Governors (1855-1934), Civil Governors (1825-1855), and
Commodore-Governors (1729-1825). Prior to those positions, Governor were not given specific mandates by the Crown, and were more managers of commercial enterprises, including the
Proprietary Governors (1610-1728), and Gouverneurs of
Plaisance under the French Crown (1655-1713).
[1]
Pauline Mills McGibbon, a patron of the arts and former Chancellor of the
Universities of Toronto and
Guelph, was the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, between 1974 and 1980.
Lincoln Alexander, a
Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and
Labour Minister, was the first
vice-regal of
West Indian descent in Ontario, between 1985 and 1991. The shortest mandate by a Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador was Sir
Albert Walsh, from April to September, 1949. The longest was Sir
Leonard Outerbridge, from September, 1949, to 1957.
Duties
The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador 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 Newfoundland and Labrador on deserving Newfoundland and Labrador citizens, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, as well as the Newfoundland War Service Volunteer Medal. 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.
[2]
For more detailed information on the Vice-regal's responsibilities in Newfoundland and Labrador see:
Lieutenant Governor (Canada)
Symbols

The flag of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador bears a personal flag which consists of a blue field bearing the shield of the Newfoundland and Labrador coat of arms, surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by ten gold maple leafs, symbolizing the
ten provinces.
See also
★
List of Lieutenant Governors of Newfoundland and Labrador
★
Governor General of Canada
★
Monarchy in Canada
External links
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Lieutenant Governor of Nwefoundland and Larbador