DAN CEARNS The Standard
NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The province of Ontario has a new Lieutenant Governor.
On Thursday, August 3rd, the Canadian federal government announced Edith Dumont had been appointed to the role to take over from outgoing Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
“A passionate educator, Ms. Dumont is a special education teacher, a school principal, and an executive. She was the first woman to lead the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. Most recently, she served as Vice-President of Partnerships, Communities, and International Relations at the Université de l’Ontario français, in Toronto,” a press release from the Canadian government explained. “Ms. Dumont is a proud Franco-Ontarian who has devoted the last three decades of her career to supporting Francophone communities in her province, across Canada, and beyond. Her life-long commitment to education, leadership, and community service, along with her dedication to ensuring quality education in French, have had a long-lasting impact on Ontario’s Francophone communities and the vitality of the French language in the province.”
Ms. Dumont is also making history as the province’s first Franco-Ontarian Lieutenant Governor.
“I look forward to working with her to build a brighter future for all Ontarians and wish her the best of luck in her new role. I also want to express my gratitude to outgoing Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, for her years of dedicated service to the people of Ontario. The relationship between the Lieutenant Governor and Premier is a very special one, and I will always be grateful for her friendship and advice,” a statement from Premier Doug Ford read.
In his own statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is sure Ms. Dumont “will continue to serve her fellow Ontarians with distinction as Ontario’s new Lieutenant Governor.”
On Twitter, Ms. Dowdeswell wrote “Felicitations and all best wishes to Ms. Edith Dumont on the news of her selection as Ontario’s 30th Lieutenant Governor. It is such a privilege to play a role in our democracy and most of all to represent the amazing citizens of this province.”
Lieutenant Governors are appointed to serve for a five-year term.