The Queen as Represented by the Governor General

• Author: Steven Chaplin
• Pages: 119-126

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 

The Queen as Represented by

the Governor General

e third component of Parliament is the Queen. In formal terms,

Parliament is sometimes referred to as the Queen in Parliament.

All Acts of Parliament are made jointly by the Queen, as repre-

sented by the Governor General, the Senate, and the House of

Commons. If the position of Governor General is vacant, or the

Governor General is not able to act, their functions are carried out

by the Chief Justice of Canada, acting as administrator.

Although many of the functions of the Governor General are

often seen as mere formalities or as anachronistic, they have a real

impact on how Parliament functions and the relationship between

Parliament, particularly the House of Commons, and the govern-

ment. Although the consequences are serious and real, the deci-

sions of the Governor General are generally taken in what seems to

be a routine manner. However, from time to time, a decision might

not be as obvious and will be taken carefully and after consulta-

tion and consideration. One example of such a decision was that

of Governor General Michaëlle Jean in  when she had to deal

with a request by the prime minister that Parliament be prorogued.

ere had been a proposed vote of non-conf‌idence and the Gov-

ernor General had to take into account the possibility of calling on