We recently sat down with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Ms. Elizabeth Dowdeswell. The lieutenant governor is the viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, King Charles III. As the Crown’s representative in Ontario, the lieutenant governor exercises constitutional powers and promotes a strong positive civic community. The position of lieutenant governor of Ontario has been held by many distinguished civil servants and the honourable Ms. Dowdeswell is no exception, bringing to the position decades of service both domestically and internationally, including serving as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Much of Ms. Dowdeswell’s life has been spent fighting climate change and promoting a more equitable relationship with our planet.
Our meeting with her Honour allowed us to experience the lieutenant governor’s wit and passion up close. We discussed her role in fostering a positive relationship between the Crown and Ontarian communities that are often under-represented in conversations with and regarding the monarchy. It was not lost on us how deeply Ms. Dowdeswell cared about tearing down barriers and promoting dialogue with different communities. We also discussed environmental stewardship and ways that public policy can help protect the green spaces that make Ontario so special. Her vast knowledge coupled with her optimism for the next generation made for an enriching and powerful discussion.
We are truly thankful for her Honour’s time and we look forward to crossing paths again in the future.