The Office
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General supports the Governor General in fulfilling his constitutional, State and ceremonial responsibilities.
The Office is also responsible for planning and implementing the Governor General’s program and the many activities he/she undertakes with, and on behalf of, Canadians in communities across the country and abroad, as well as with the Canadian Forces as Commander-in-Chief. These activities serve to recognize outstanding achievement and the pursuit of excellence by Canadians, and to foster national identity, unity and pride. They also promote Canadian values such as respect for diversity, community participation and public education.
To help Canadians understand the roles and responsibilities of the Governor General and how he/she fulfills them, the Office offers both a public information program and extensive visitor and interpretation programs at the Governor General’s historic official residences at Rideau Hall in Ottawa and at La Citadelle in Quebec City. Together, as many as 200,000 people visit these sites each year.
The Chancellery of Honours forms an important part of the Office and administers all aspects of Canada’s Honours System including, for example, the Order of Canada, the Decorations for Bravery, the Meritorious Service Decorations and the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. The Chancellery also includes Canada’s Heraldic Authority.
The Operating Budget of the OSGG is approved by Parliament and the OSGG is therefore accountable to Parliament for its expenditures. These expenditures are made public through the Public Accounts process at the end of every year.
