This is a list of women who have served as viceroys in Canada. Canada is a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the reigning Canadian monarch. As the King does not reside in Canada, his daily responsibilities in the country are undertaken by the Governor General of Canada in the federal jurisdiction and by a lieutenant governor in each of the ten provincial jurisdictions. Collectively, these individuals are the King's official viceregal representatives.
This list also includes women who have served as commissioners, an office in each of Canada's three federal territories with similar function to provincial viceroys.
First female governor general in Canadian history; appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Prime MinisterPierre Trudeau; member of the Fransaskois community.
First visible minority and first Chinese Canadian to be appointed governor general by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien; first governor general without a military or political background.
First Inuit person to serve as a vicereine in Canada. Announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 6, 2021.
Lieutenant governors
A total of thirty women have served, or are currently serving, as the lieutenant governor of a province. As of 24 October 2022[update], there are seven serving provincial female viceroys in Canada.
In each of the three territories of Canada, a commissioner acts as the formal head of state. Unlike the Governor General or a lieutenant governor (who are officially representatives of the Canadian monarch) the commissioners are appointed by and represent the Government of Canada. However, while they are not formally viceroys, they perform in their respective territories the same duties as a provincial lieutenant governor.
A total of thirteen women have served, or are currently serving, as a commissioner; one woman, Helen Maksagak, has served terms as a commissioner in two territories.
First female territorial commissioner in Canadian history; resigned from position within one year to run for public office in the 1980 Canadian federal election.