The following is a list of the Governors and Governors General of Canada, and of the previous territories and colonies that now make up the country.
The role of Governor General of Canada from 1791 to 1838 was mainly as the command officer of British Forces in North America. The role was then passed onto the Governor General of the Province of Canada, who also became the representative of the British government in the colony, until 1931, when the viceroy was designated as the direct representative of the Canadian monarch.
Governors of the Province of Quebec from the Royal Proclamation to the Constitutional Act (1760-1791)
Note: These are the formal governors of the province, there were other individuals who were acting, de facto, governors of Quebec during this time period.
* Lord Gosford resigned in November 1837 during the Lower Canada Rebellion. Colborne was raised to commander in chief of British forces and acting governor general to put down the 1837 Rebellions and restore order in both Upper Canada and Lower Canada. He remained in place until Lord Durham's arrival.
Governors General of the Province of Canada from the Act of Union to Confederation (1840-1867)
Governors General representing Queen Victoria (1840-1867):
Governors of other colonies that joined Confederation in 1867
In 1867, the Province of Canada formed the Dominion of Canada through a union with the colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Prior to 1867, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each had their own governors:
The following is a list of Administrators, acting governors appointed as the result of the death or prolonged absence of the sitting viceroy, or any other reason:
1974 - Gabrielle Léger, wife of Governor General Jules Léger, was not an Administrator, but briefly assisted her husband in the official duties of the Governor General, such as reading the Speech from the Throne, after her husband's stroke.
2005 - Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin served as administrator for several weeks in July, while Governor General Adrienne Clarkson was hospitalized for heart surgery.
2005 - Puisne Justice John C. Major served as Administrator on behalf of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, from the morning of September 27 until the installation of Michaëlle Jean the same day.[1]
