KAWARTHA LAKES-The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell will leave the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in November according to the province.
“For nine years, it has been my honour to serve as the Crown’s Representative in Ontario. In our communities and on the world stage, Ontarians have inspired me daily by their strong civic spirit and dedication to better futures for all. I can think of no higher privilege than encouraging our province to realize the best version of itself: a resilient, inclusive Ontario committed to sustainability, reconciliation, and the safeguarding of democracy. I am confident that Ontario will be well-served by our 30th Lieutenant Governor, Madame Edith Dumont. I extend my best wishes for her success and happiness in the next chapters of Ontario’s shared story.” said The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell,Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
The installation ceremony of her successor, Madame Edith Dumont will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the Queen’s Park Legislative Chamber. Dumont will be Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor and the first francophone to hold the office.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor, representing His Majesty the King. I am especially proud to be the first Francophone in Ontario’s history to hold this position. I look forward to connecting with people across the province, and I will serve our communities with pride and civic spirit. I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable work of the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who will be a source of inspiration for me in this new role.” stated Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor-designate.
Edith Dumont is a teacher and manager with a life-long commitment to education, leadership, and community service. Officials say she is a proud Franco-Ontarian, she devoted the last three decades of her career to supporting Francophone communities in Ontario and advocating for accessible, inclusive, and quality education in French.
As a special education teacher, a school principal, and an executive, Ms. Dumont’s passion for education led her to become the first woman to lead the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, where she worked for more than 30 years – most recently as Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer. She later became Vice-President of Partnerships, Communities, and International Relations at the Université de l’Ontario français, in Toronto.
No explanation for the change was provided.
The Premier congratulated both on their community service.
“I want to congratulate Madame Edith Dumont on her appointment as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. I look forward to working with Madame Dumont and wish her the best of luck in her new role. I also want to express my gratitude to outgoing Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, for her years of dedicated service to the people of Ontario.” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Lieutenant Governors are selected by the Prime Minister of Canada. In Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor exercises the powers of the Crown and the powers are similar to those of the King according to the government.
The Lieutenant Governor:
- Ensures that Ontario always has a Premier who is able to command the confidence of the Legislative Assembly
- Appoints members of the Executive Council (Cabinet ministers) on the advice of the Premier
- Summons, prorogues and dissolves the Legislature on the advice of the Premier
- Reads the Speech from the Throne at the beginning of a parliamentary session
- Grants Royal Assent, the final step of the legislative process, to bills passed by the Legislative Assembly
- Orders elections to the Legislative Assembly on the advice of Cabinet, in accordance with the Election Act
- Approves government business such as regulations and public appointments by signing Orders-in-Council on the advice of Cabinet
