What does the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada do?
The Governor General of Canada is also Commander-in-Chief of Canada. As such, the Governor General plays a significant role in encouraging excellence and recognizing the important role of Canada’s military at home and abroad. Among these responsibilities, the Governor General: • Appoints the Chief of the Defence Staff on the recommendation of the Prime Minister; • Acts on recommendations from the Minister of National Defence regarding the appointment of Royal Colonels-in-Chief of Canadian Regiments; • Approves new military badges and insignia; • Visits Canadian Forces personnel, 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; Peacekeeping and Special Service Medals; • Signs Commission Scrolls, etc. Upon appointment, the Commander-in-Chief receives the Canadian Forces decoration and becomes: • an Honorary Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, t
