CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER
In the Commonwealth nations that recognize the Queen as their monarch, there is a governor general nationally and lieutenantgovernors regionally. They handle the Queen’s role as head of state. Primarily it’s a ceremonial job … until it isn’t.
In the 2017 B.C. election, the Liberals won 43 seats, the NDP won 41 and the Green party won three seats. Here’s where the lieutenant-governor’s role went from ceremonial to decisive: one that determined who would govern.
Premier Christy Clark wanted a new election. The lieutenant-governor — it was Judith Guichon at the time — said no and called on opposition leader John Horgan, who had forged an alliance with the Green party, to form a government.
In March, Janet Austin, the former CEO of the YWCA, was asked to take over the role: a position you cannot apply for, a position that requires the lieutenant-governor’s presence on behalf of the government throughout the province. We invited Lt.- Gov. Janet Austin to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the role of the Queen’s representative in British Columbia and the objectives she has set for her term. See the video at vancouversun.com/ tag/conversations-that-matter Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue presents Conversations That Matter. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for an important and engaging Conversation about the issues shaping our future. Please become a Patreon subscriber and support the production of this program, with a $1 pledge at goo.gl/ ypXyDs