Each Lieutenant Governor has the opportunity to develop unique programs and initiatives that highlight their interests and background. While some programs are retired at the end of a Lieutenant Governor’s mandate, others continue through external funding and partnerships.
Many of these programs are made possible through the generous support of the Government House Foundation.
Honorary Patronage
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia grants patronage to support and encourage worthy endeavours. The Lieutenant Governor is patron of many community, military and cultural associations, as well as public service organizations, lending them vital support and recognition for their outstanding contributions to society.
Learn more about Honorary Patronage.
Women Leading Change
Women Leading Change was a series of events aimed at helping to raise awareness around gender inequality and support positive action through dialogue and engagement. The Women Leading Change series highlighted powerful voices leading change across industries in which women remain underrepresented.
Women Leading Change was a partnership between the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. Learn more about Women Leading Change.
Human Trafficking Prevention Network
The Human Trafficking Prevention Network of British Columbia, launched with a signing ceremony with twenty corporate and community founding partners, brought together a network from diverse industries and services. This included Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Janet Austin as Honorary Patron of the Human Trafficking Prevention Network and Shell Canada President and Country Chair Susannah Pierce as Chair of the Human Trafficking Prevention Network.
The founding partners of the Human Trafficking Prevention Network united in their commitment to combat human trafficking by signing a statement of support and pledging to work collaboratively to share resources that spread awareness, and that support organizations that are combating human trafficking or aiding survivors in their recovery and transition.
Click here to see the statement of support and all partners.
Democracy & Me
The Democracy & Me art contest encourages K-12 students to think about the importance of community, civic engagement and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and democracy. In drawing and designing students reflect on how art offers a unique medium to express one’s identity, culture and connection to community.
Learn more about Democracy & Me.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards
As part of celebrations in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards. These one-time awards recognized individuals, groups, and organizations throughout British Columbia who demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, community engagement, and commitment through fostering and mentoring others in the fields of Visual Arts, Music or Performance. The Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards celebrated artists whose work promoted social equity, equality, inclusion, and enhanced the well-being of communities of all sizes and citizens of all ages.
Learn more about the recipients of the Arts and Music Awards.
LG Youth Advisory Council
A guiding body of young people who advised the Lieutenant Governor on relevant issues and ways to engage the next generation of British Columbians.
Conversations on Democracy
Conversations on Democracy was an initiative of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue that encouraged discussions from the kitchen table to the boardroom about ways to strengthen our democracy.
Conversations on Democracy aimed to inspire a greater sense of belonging and connection within the communities of BC and cultivate a sense of commitment to defend and strengthen our democratic values and institutions. It encouraged a diverse array of ideas and points of view, between individuals who may not necessarily agree but seek to achieve common ground, and, aimed to create a network of ambassadors with a cross section of diverse representation and opinions.
Commemorate 50
In 2019, Canada recognized the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality, a crucial milestone in the history of equal rights for LGBTQ2S+ Canadians. With funding from Heritage Canada, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor launched Commemorate 50 (C50), a year-long series of events and initiatives celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of the LGBTQ2S+ community, and championing their tireless work done to advance equality, past and present.
Learn more about Commemorate 50.
Different Together
In the wake of increased incidents of race-based violence and discrimination at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Honourable Janet Austin asked British Columbians, alongside leaders in government, business and social services, to pledge to uphold the Canadian values of diversity and inclusion and to oppose racism and hate in all its forms.
Learn more about the Different Together Pledge.
Stewards of the Future
Stewards of the Future supported and encouraged emerging leaders to connect with their environments and explore their own communities to discover and document unique attributes, identify and research key issues of concern, and investigate stewardship initiatives. Funding was available for youth to go on field trips, visit local sites of interest and engage in stewardship projects in their communities.
Stewards of the Future was initiated by the Honourable Judith Guichon, 29th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and stemmed from Her Honour’s long-standing connection to the land and the importance of biodiversity.
Write to Read
Write to Read is a partnership-based program, initiated by the Honourable Steven Point, 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, working with Indigenous communities to provide access to literacy materials and resources in areas without a designated nearby learning centre or library.