Commander-in-Chief
The governor general is commander-in-chief of Canada. This role has been expressly conferred on the governor general as per the letters patent of 1947. As such, the governor general plays a major role in recognizing the importance of Canada’s military at home and abroad.
Among these duties, the governor general:
- Acts on the recommendation of the prime minister regarding the appointment of the chief of the Defence Staff;
- Acts on recommendations of the minister of National Defence regarding the appointment of Royal colonels of Canadian regiments;
- Approves new military badges and insignia;
- Visits Canadian Forces personnel, their families and loved ones, at home and abroad;
- Presents new colours to the Canadian Forces;
- Awards military honours, such as the Order of Military Merit, Meritorious Service and Military Valour Decorations, and Peacekeeping and Special Service Medals; and
- Signs Commission Scrolls.
Upon appointment, the commander-in-chief receives the Canadian Forces decoration and becomes an honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, the Governor General’s Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, as well as chancellor and commander of the Order of Military Merit.
Wearing the Canadian Forces Uniforms
As Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces, the governor general may, in this capacity, wear the uniform at events.
The Canadian Forces Publication (CFP) which regulates the wear of military uniforms for the Governor General is CFP 265, the Canadian Forces Dress Instructions manual.
The governor general wears a flag/general officer uniform with special flag/general sleeve braid, embellished with the governor general’s badge, and a large embroidered governor general’s badge on the shoulder straps or boards.
A number of Canadian governors general have worn the military uniform including Vincent Massey (1952-59), Georges P. Vanier (1959-1967), Roland Michener (1967-1974), Edward Schreyer (1979-1984), Jeanne Sauvé (1984-1990) and Ramon Hnatyshyn (1990-1995).
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean wears the following medals: the Order of Canada, Order of Military Merit, Order of St-Jean de Jérusalem, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Canadian Forces Decorations.