What is the role of the Governor-General in Canada?

The Governor-General in Canada serves as the representative of the Monarch, which is a central aspect of Canada’s constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. This role involves performing various ceremonial duties as well as constitutional responsibilities. The Governor-General signs legislation into law, represents Canada on state visits, and performs other formal duties such as granting royal assent to bills passed by Parliament, which is a crucial part of the legislative process.

While the Governor-General has significant ceremonial presence and duties, they do not lead the government as this role is held by the elected Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Additionally, overseeing elections is primarily the responsibility of Elections Canada, a non-partisan agency created to manage federal elections. Drafting legislation is the role of members of Parliament and the government, rather than the Governor-General, who does not engage in creating laws but rather in formalizing them after they have been passed. Therefore, the Governor-General's primary function is to represent the Monarch in Canada, upholding the symbolic and constitutional framework of the country.