List of governors general of Canada


The following is a list of the governors and governors general of Canada. Though the present-day office of the Governor General of Canada is legislatively covered under the Constitution Act, 1867, and legally constituted by the Letters Patent, 1947, the institution is, along with the institution of the Crown it represents, the oldest continuous and uniquely Canadian institution in Canada, having existed in an unbroken line since the appointment of Samuel de Champlain in 1627.

Viceroys of Canada, 1541–1627

Governors of New France, 1627–1663

Governors General of New France, 1663–1760

Governors of the Province of Quebec, 1760–1786

Governors-in-Chief/Governors General of the Canadas, 1786–1841

Governors General of the Province of Canada, 1841–1867

Governors General of Canada, 1867–present

Living former governors general of Canada

, there are four living former governors general of Canada. The most recently deceased governor general, Roméo LeBlanc, died on 24 June 2009.
NameTerm of officeDate of birth
Edward Schreyer1979–1984
Adrienne Clarkson1999–2005
Michaëlle Jean2005–2010
David Johnston2010–2017

Administrators

The following is a list of Administrators of the Government, Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada who were acting governors appointed as the result of the death or prolonged absence of the sitting viceroy, or for any other reason: