The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
  2. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette
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Change of Command of the Canadian Armed Forces

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The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada presided over the ceremony marking the Change of Command of the Canadian Armed Forces from General Tom Lawson to Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance, who has been promoted to General.
Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance was promoted to General during a private ceremony presided over by His Excellency.
The Governor General received full military honours.
His Excellency conducted the inspection of a 100-member Canadian Armed Forces guard of honour.
His Excellency presented the pennant to the newly appointed Chief of the Defence Staff.
During the ceremony, His Excellency signed the Change of Command certificates.
“The change of command ceremony signals a passing of the torch from one leader to another,” said the Governor General. As commander-in-chief, I am pleased to thank General Thomas Lawson for his service to our country, and to welcome General Jonathan Vance, Canada’s 19th Chief of Defence Staff.”
General Vance addressed the guests for the first time as the Chief of the Defence Staff.