Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces

The commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces () exercises supreme command and control over Canada's military, the Canadian Armed Forces. Constitutionally, command-in-chief is vested in the Canadian monarch, currently . Since the Letters Patent, 1947, were signed by King George VI, the governor general of Canada—presently Louise Arbour—executes most of the duties of the sovereign, including in their role as commander-in-chief. Consequently, the governor general also uses the title Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces. By protocol, the title used within international contexts is Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

Constitutional provisions, title, and delegation The Constitution Act, 1867, states that "the Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen." However, beginning in 1904, the exercise of the duties of the commander-in-chief were delegated to the governor general of Canada, the monarch's representative in the country. The Militia Act from that year stated, "the Command-in-Chief of the Militia is declared to continue and be vested in the King, and shall be administered by His Majesty or by the Governor General as his representative." Following this, in 1905, the letters patent constituting the Office of the Governor General were amended to read: the "Letters Patent constituting the Office of the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief."

Throughout the development of the armed forces, the monarch has remained vested with command-in-chief, while the governor general's title altered to suit the changes in the militia's structure. Following the passage of the Naval Service Act establishing the Royal Canadian Navy in 1910, the viceroy was styled Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval Forces and, after the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1918, as Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces. Following this, the Letters Patent, 1947, issued by King George VI, referred to the "Office of Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada." In 1968, following the unification of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force, the commander-in-chief became the most senior officer of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As all executive power is legally reposed in the Crown, the role of commander-in-chief is the only constitutional means by which decisions are made over the deployment and disposition of the Canadian Armed Forces. Under the Westminster system's conventions of responsible government, the cabinet—which advises the sovereign or his viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers—generally exercises the Crown prerogative powers relating to the Canadian forces. Still, all declarations of war are issued with the approval, and in the name, of the monarch and must be signed by either the sovereign or the governor general, as was done with the proclamation that declared Canada at war with Nazi Germany, issued on September 10, 1939; it stated: "Whereas by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, We have signified Our Approval for the issue of a Proclamation in the Canada Gazette declaring that a State of War with the German Reich exists and has existed in Our Dominion of Canada as and from the tenth day of September, 1939."

In exercising the duties of commander-in-chief, the governor general appoints the chief of the Defence Staff, as well as royal colonels-in-chief of Canadian regiments (save for the monarch himself); approves new military badges and insignia (except for those bearing St Edward's Crown, which may only be sanctioned by the sovereign); visits Canadian forces personnel within Canada and abroad; bestows honours, decorations, and medals; and signs commission scrolls. Since 2000, the governor general also awards the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation to units in the Canadian Forces and allied militias that have performed extraordinary deeds or activities in highly hazardous circumstances in active combat. An insignia pin is presented to members and the unit receives a scroll and may fly a special banner.

Governor general's rank insignia According to Canadian Forces Dress Instructions, the governor general may wear the uniform and corresponding cap/hat badge of a flag/general officer, with a special flag/general officer sleeve braid embellished with the governor general's badge, and a large embroidered governor general's badge on the shoulder straps, facing forward.

Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Army Royal Canadian Air Force Board Sleeve Board Sleeve Board Sleeve

Commanders-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces Year Sovereign Year Represented by Governor General Commanders-in-Chief of the Canadian Land and Naval Militia 1867–1901 Queen Victoria1898–1904 The Earl of Minto 1901–1910 King Edward VII 1904–1910 The Earl Grey Commanders-in-Chief of the Canadian Militia and Naval Forces1910–1919 King George V 1910–1911 The Earl Grey 1911–1916 Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn 1916–1919 The Duke of Devonshire Commanders-in-Chief of the Canadian Militia and Naval and Air Forces1919–1936 King George V 1919–1921 The Duke of Devonshire 1921–1926 The Viscount Byng of Vimy 1926–1931 The Marquess of Willingdon 1931–1935 The Earl of Bessborough 1935–1936 The Lord Tweedsmuir 1936 King Edward VIII 19361936–1952 King George VI 1936–1940 1940–1946 The Earl of Athlone 1946–1952 The Viscount Alexander of Tunis1952–1968 Queen Elizabeth II 1952 1952–1959 Vincent Massey 1959–1967 Georges Vanier 1967–1968 Roland Michener Commanders-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces1968–2022 Queen Elizabeth II 1968–1974 Roland Michener 1974–1979 Jules Léger 1979–1984 Edward Schreyer 1984–1990 Jeanne Sauvé 1990–1995 Ramon John Hnatyshyn 1995–1999 Roméo LeBlanc 1999–2005 Adrienne Clarkson 2005–2010 Michaëlle Jean 2010–2017 David Lloyd Johnston 2017–2021 Julie Payette2021–2022 Mary Simon 2022–present King Charles III2022–2026 2026-present Louise Arbour

Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces

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