Heads of State of Canada
The reigning British monarch is Canada’s legal head of state. The governor general is the acting, or de facto, head of state.
Monarchs
The monarch is a member of the House of Windsor, a family believed to have been chosen by God to rule the United Kingdom and various other countries. When the current monarch dies or resigns, the oldest son or daughter of the monarch usually takes over. Further details are spelled out in the Act of Settlement. See also the current line of succession.
Jun 20, 1837 - Jan 22, 1901
Jan 22, 1901 - May 6, 1910
May 6, 1910 - Jan 20, 1936
Jan 20, 1936 - Dec 11, 1936
Dec 11, 1936 - Feb 6, 1952
Feb 6, 1952 - Sep 8, 2022
“Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”
The official title of the current Head of State of Canada, according to Canada's Royal Style and Titles Act.
Governors General of Canada (British, 1867-1952)
Men who held the modern-day office of Governor General of Canada during the period in which they were British aristocrats appointed by the British government. For British governors of Canada before 1867, see the data chapter on colonial rulers of Canada.
4th Viscount Monck of Ballytrammon
Jul 1, 1867 - Nov 14, 1868
Charles Ashe Windham (acting)
Nov 14, 1868 - Feb 2, 1869
1st Baron Lisgar of Lisgar and Balieborough
Feb 2, 1869 - Jun 22, 1872
Charles Hastings Doyle (acting)
Jun 22, 1872 - Jun 25, 1872
Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood
Jun 25, 1872 - Nov 25, 1878
John Douglas Sutherland-Campbell
Nov 25, 1878 - Oct 23, 1883
5th Marquis of Landsdowne
Oct 23, 1883 - Jun 11, 1888
1st Baron Stanley of Preston
Jun 11, 1888 - Sep 18, 1893
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon
Sep 18, 1893 - Nov 12, 1898
Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound
Nov 12, 1898 - Dec 10, 1904
Dec 10, 1904 - Oct 13, 1911
Arthur William Patrick Albert
Oct 13, 1911 - Nov 11, 1916
Victor Christian William Cavendish
Nov 11, 1916 - Aug 11, 1921
Julian Hedworth George Byng
Aug 11, 1921 - Oct 2, 1926
1st Viscount Willingdon of Ratton
Oct 2, 1926 - Jan 14, 1931
Lyman Poore Duff (acting)
Jan 14, 1931 - Apr 4, 1931
Apr 4, 1931 - Sep 28, 1935
Sep 28, 1935 - Nov 2, 1935
1st Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield
Nov 2, 1935 - Feb 11, 1940
Feb 11, 1940 - Jun 21, 1940
Augustus Alexander George Cambridge
Jun 21, 1940 - Apr 12, 1946
1st Viscount Alexander of Tunis
Apr 12, 1946 - Feb 28, 1952
Governors General of Canada (Canadian, 1952- )
Men and women who have held the office of Governor General of Canada since it began being filled by Canadian citizens appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada.
Feb 28, 1952 - Sep 15, 1959
Sep 15, 1959 - Mar 5, 1967
Robert Taschereau (acting)
Mar 5, 1967 - Apr 17, 1967
Apr 17, 1967 - Jan 14, 1974
Jan 14, 1974 - Jan 21, 1979
Jan 21, 1979 - May 14, 1984
May 14, 1984 - Jan 29, 1990
Jan 29, 1990 - Feb 8, 1995
Feb 8, 1995 - Oct 7, 1999
Oct 7, 1999 - Sep 27, 2005
Sep 27, 2005 - Oct 1, 2010
Oct 1, 2010 - Oct 2, 2017
Oct 2, 2017 - Jan 21, 2021
Jan 21, 2021 - July 26, 2021