Event Planning
The Lieutenant Governor is invited to and attends hundreds of events each year. Her Honour travels extensively throughout British Columbia to celebrate, inspire and connect the people of the province. She also hosts events at Government House in Victoria, the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. If you are inviting the Lieutenant Governor to attend your event or would like her to host your event at Government House, please review the information in this section.
Invite the Lieutenant Governor to an Event
Each year, the Lieutenant Governor attends many special events, ceremonies and celebrations across British Columbia. If you would like to invite the Lieutenant Governor to an event, you can do so by writing a letter of invitation, on letterhead, which includes:
- background information on the event and organization;
- the date and time of the event (and whether these are flexible);
- information on the venue, or if you would like the event to be held at Government House;
- the number of people expected to participate;
- the role you would like the Lieutenant Governor to play, (e.g., speech [maximum 5 minutes], award presentation, etc.);
- name and telephone number of a contact person;
The salutation is “Your Honour”.
Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC and/or His Honour Ashley Chester
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Government House
1401 Rockland Avenue
Victoria, B.C. V8S IV9
Invitations may also be emailed as an attachment to ghinfo@gov.bc.ca. Please keep in mind the Lieutenant Governor is invited to hundreds of events every year and her calendar is planned two to three months in advance.
If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Elliott, Programmes Manager, at heidi.elliott@gov.bc.ca. Information regarding hosting the Lieutenant Governor is available in the Protocol section.
Request a Message
Throughout British Columbia, many community and non-profit organizations are celebrating significant milestones, hosting conferences and fundraising events, organizing cultural and sporting events, and honouring groups for exceptional public service. The Lieutenant Governor can acknowledge these events and occasions by providing written messages of support, welcome and congratulations.
Please note the following guidelines:
- Message requests must be received a minimum of four weeks prior to the date the message is required.
- Due to the volume of requests, organizations receive a maximum of two messages per calendar year.
- Messages are not granted for commercial endeavours.
To request a message, send a formal letter to the Lieutenant Governor that includes the date and location of the event, relevant background information on the event and organization and the date by which the message is required. The letter should be addressed to:
Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC and/or His Honour Ashley Chester
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Government House
1401 Rockland Avenue
Victoria, B.C. V8S IV9
The salutation is “Your Honour”.
The letter can also be sent as an attachment to ghinfo@gov.bc.ca.
Birthday or anniversary greetings from the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor General and The Queen are coordinated through the Government of British Columbia’s Protocol and Events Branch. You can find out more information and arrange for these messages online here.