Reduce Governor General costs

AI summary

Petitioners ask the House to cut Governor General costs: $1; sell or share Rideau Hall for food banks; ban travel; limit duties to assenting, hosting and Throne Speech. The government responds it manages expenditures responsibly.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons Quebecers and Canadians expect their taxes to be used and managed in a careful and socially responsible manner, which is not the case for current expenditures associated with the office of Governor General. We, the undersigned, citizens of Quebec and Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to take the following actions regarding expenditures related to the office of Governor General: 1. Set a symbolic salary of $1 per year; 2. Sell Rideau Hall and distribute the proceeds of the sale and the savings in maintenance costs to food banks, or make Rideau Hall the official residence of both the Prime Minister and the Governor General and send the savings from no longer maintaining two official residences and staff to Canadian food banks; 3. Prohibit all travel outside Canada, with virtual meetings as the preferred option; 4. Cover wardrobe costs internally; 5. Remove chauffeur and limousine services; 6. Use chef services for formal meals only; and 7. Restrict duties to assenting to bills; hosting formal meals with dignitaries visiting Canada; attending commemorative or civic award ceremonies; and delivering the Speech from the Throne. 1. Set a symbolic salary of $1 per year; 2. Sell Rideau Hall and distribute the proceeds of the sale and the savings in maintenance costs to food banks, or make Rideau Hall the official residence of both the Prime Minister and the Governor General and send the savings from no longer maintaining two official residences and staff to Canadian food banks; 3. Prohibit all travel outside Canada, with virtual meetings as the preferred option; 4. Cover wardrobe costs internally; 5. Remove chauffeur and limousine services; 6. Use chef services for formal meals only; and 7. Restrict duties to assenting to bills; hosting formal meals with dignitaries visiting Canada; attending commemorative or civic award ceremonies; and delivering the Speech from the Throne.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Signed by Kevin Lamoureux The Government of Canada is pleased to respond to this petition. The Governor General exercises the powers and authorities of Canada’s head of State, King Charles III, including by serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. Care is taken to ensure that expenditures required to discharge these responsibilities are managed responsibly. Every year, the Governor General welcomes thousands of Canadians to Rideau Hall to recognizes their exceptional contributions. The official residence, which is also a workplace, is open to the public and provides Canadians an opportunity to learn about our country’s history and its institutions. Rideau Hall is also where Canada receives foreign dignitaries and other official guests. The Governor General travels overseas, at the request of the Government of Canada, to reinforce bilateral relationships, promote Canadian interests abroad, and support members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed in other countries. Security requirements dictate the modes of travel for the Governor General both in Canada and overseas. The support provided to the Governor General, while in Canada and while representing Canada overseas, allows the incumbent to fulfil their responsibilities in an efficient and dignified manner that Canadians can be proud of. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General continually looks for opportunities to review procedures and collaborate with partner departments across government in support of value for Canadians. The Government of Canada appreciates the time and effort taken to submit this thoughtful petition.