Our system of government is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and Head of State. The Lieutenant Governor is the representative of The Queen in Saskatchewan; this position is non-partisan and apolitical. The Lieutenant Governor acts on the advice of the Premier and the government, but has the right to advise, to encourage, and to warn. One of the Lieutenant Governor’s responsibilities is to ensure that Saskatchewan always has a Premier. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the swearing-in of the Premier, the Chief Justice of Saskatchewan, and cabinet ministers. The Lieutenant Governor summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, delivers the Speech from the Throne and gives Royal Assent to acts of the Legislative Assembly. The Lieutenant Governor signs official documents and meets with the Premier. The Lieutenant Governor presents honours and awards to people who have demonstrated excellence, valour, bravery, or dedication to service that brings credit to the province and the country. Celebrating SaskatchewanThe Lieutenant Governor participates in commemorative ceremonies, provincial celebrations, and community activities across Saskatchewan. The Lieutenant Governor also hosts events at Government House in Regina and at other venues throughout the province. Lieutenant Governor in CouncilThe position of Lieutenant Governor is apolitical and thus the Lieutenant Governor does not get involved in any political activity, intervene in day-to-day issues and decisions made by Saskatchewan government ministries, or advocate for groups or individuals seeking to change government policy. Concerns or questions about government policy should be addressed to the appropriate Government of Saskatchewan ministry. Alternatively, you may wish to consult the Office of the Ombudsman of Saskatchewan. If you chose to write the Lieutenant Governor, your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate Minister of the Crown for a response. The term “Lieutenant Governor in Council” appears in many government documents, such as legislation. Legally, it refers to the Lieutenant Governor acting on, and with, the advice of the Executive Council or Cabinet. When the Cabinet makes a decision and it has been approved by the Lieutenant Governor, it is said to have been made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Length of AppointmentThe Governor General-in-Council (in practice, the Prime Minister) appoints lieutenant governors for a minimum five-year term of office. Lieutenant Governors are chosen based on their record of distinguished service to their community, province, and country. The appointment carries with it the title of "The Honourable" for life. The Offices of the Monarch, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governor are entrenched in the Canadian Constitution, and no changes can be made to them without unanimous approval of all Provincial Legislative Assemblies, along with the Senate and the House of Commons.
Under California’s Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor serves as Acting Governor whenever the Governor is absent from the state, and automatically becomes Governor if a vacancy occurs in the Office of Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is also President of the Senate and votes in case of a tie. The Lieutenant Governor serves as a voting member of the Board of Regents of the University of California, the Board of Trustees of the California State University system, and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges system. The Lieutenant Governor also sits on the Calbright College Board of Trustees. The Lieutenant Governor also serves on, and rotates with the State Controller, as chair of the three-member State Lands Commission, which oversees the control and leasing of millions of acres of state-owned land, including offshore oil resources, as well as use and permitting for all navigable waterways in California. The Commission also manages state land-use planning and revenues, and related interstate issues. During alternate years, when the Lieutenant Governor serves as Chairperson of the State Lands Commission, she also serves as a member of the California Ocean Protection Council and as a non-voting member of the California Coastal Commission. In addition, under state statutes, the Lieutenant Governor chairs the California Commission for Economic Development, which provides support and guidance to the Governor, Legislature and private sector regarding the development of California’s economy. The Commission is composed of appointees from the Legislature and the Governor and currently does not have a quorum needed to meet. Responsibilities of a Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor may be derive responsibilities one of four ways: from the Constitution, from the Legislature through statute, from the governor (through gubernatorial appointment or executive order), through personal initiative in office, and/or a combination of these. The principal and shared constitutional responsibility of every NLGA member is to be the first official in the line of succession to the governor’s office. Lieutenant governors are the only officials with specific duties and powers in two branches of state government: the executive and legislative branches. More than half of the NLGA members preside over their state senate. Most pursue legislative initiatives; many testify locally and in Washington D.C. in various capacities; some serve on the governors’ cabinets; and others maintain portfolio of varied duties. The office of lieutenant governor is the most diverse office across state governments. The elected officials of each state and the individual officeholder have the opportunity to utilize the office to most effectively meet the states’ unique needs, priorities, and pressing issues. In many states, the duties of lieutenant governor have been increased by legislation to include the lieutenant governor on state boards, commissions and task forces and to attend to other duties. A lieutenant governor may lead a division, commission, or department of government through gubernatorial or legislative action. In the states where the official next in line of succession to the governor is a secretary of state or senate president, the responsibilities are those traditionally assigned to the respective office along with the succession and acting governor provisions. The research found “In This Section” on the right of this page includes the following:
“The job (of lt. governor) groomed…leading presidential candidates…and helped launch governors.” The Queen of Canada, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is the official Head of State and is represented in New Brunswick by the Lieutenant-Governor. Therefore, the Lieutenant-Governor is the nominal Head of State at the provincial level, empowered with the responsibility of representing the Queen in the province. However, the real power of governing resides with the Premier and the Executive Council (elected members appointed as Ministers of the Crown by the Lieutenant-Governor on the recommendation of the Premier). The Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick is appointed by the Governor General-in-Council on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada. The document of appointment is signed by the Governor General. The appointment, by tradition, is usually for a period of not less than five years and carries the title of "The Honourable" for life. In conversation and correspondence the Lieutenant-Governor is addressed as "Your Honour", as is his or her spouse. The Lieutenant-Governor serves in a dual capacity: first as representative of the Queen for all purposes of the provincial government; and secondly, as a federal officer in discharging certain functions on behalf of the federal government. The Lieutenant-Governor opens, prorogues and dissolves the Legislative Assembly. The Lieutenant-Governor is responsible for swearing-in the Premier and Cabinet Ministers and must ensure that a government is in office at all times. The Chief Justice of New Brunswick, as Administrator, acts for the Lieutenant-Governor during his/her absence, illness or other inability. One or the other must be in the province at all times. The Lieutenant-Governor gives Royal Assent to all Bills passed by the Legislature before they become law, and, as well, signs them and other official documents such as proclamations, and appointments of persons to government posts including deputy ministers, provincial judges, members of boards, agencies and commissions, crown attorneys, and justices of the peace. The Lieutenant-Governor also signs a number of other official government documents, including land patents, leases, and appointments of notaries public and commissioners for taking affidavits. A major responsibility of the Lieutenant-Governor is to deliver the Speech from the Throne at the formal Opening of a new Session of the Legislative Assembly. This speech outlines proposed legislation, programs, and possible initiatives of the government for that Session. In addition to those formal duties, the Lieutenant-Governor also engages in a large number of discretionary but traditional activities, such as lending patronage to not-for-profit organizations which are dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community. The Lieutenant-Governor sponsors awards, presents citations, and participates in investitures, dedications and other major events celebrating the achievements of the people of New Brunswick; writes messages of greeting, congratulations and condolence; hosts receptions, luncheons and dinners for guests of various organizations and professions; receives members of the Royal Family, heads of state, ambassadors, and other representatives of foreign countries, as well as people from all walks of life. During the course of the year, the Lieutenant-Governor attends hundreds of public events in support of community initiatives across the province. |