Viceregal Patron

Photo: Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall © OSGG-BSGG, 2021

In September 2023, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., O.Q., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada granted Viceregal Patronage to The Royal Canadian Artillery Association.

The granting of viceregal patronage is a long-standing practice. It is Her Excellency’s goal to build on this tradition of recognizing exceptional contributions to Canadian society by increasing the reach and impact of this relationship.

In particular, the Governor General has focused her efforts on reconciliation, which is a way of life and which does not have an end date. It is not defined by one program or action, but by a constant commitment to respecting and understanding each other, as well as dedication to learning the truth of our history. Her Excellency’s other priorities include diversity and inclusion; youth and education; climate change and the protection of our natural world; and mental health and wellness.

The RCA Association wishes to further these major themes of the Governor General’s mandate through our activities and events.

Historical background:

Annual Report 1961-1962 24. Patron and Vice-Patrons of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association: The meeting authorized the executive to request His Excellency, the Governor General, and the Lieutenant Governors of the Provinces, to be patron and vice-patrons respectively of the Association. Provision for such action is contained in Section 3 of the Rules of the Association.

Subsequent to the annual meeting the President wrote to His Excellency the Governor-General requesting him to become Patron of the Association. This His Excellency graciously consented to do. In his letter the President pointed out that all Governors-General from 1876, when the Association was formed, to 1939, had been patrons and that we wished to revive such a practice.

Up to the time of printing (1961-62) the Lieutenant-Governors of the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan had accepted the President’s invitation to become Vice-Patrons of the Association.