LATEST STORIES:
New Lieutenant-Governor sworn in

The province has a new Lieutenant-Governor tonight. And for the third time, a woman is filling the post. Her name is Elizabeth Dowdeswell and she has a long public service record including experience with the United Nations. She’s a former U.N. Under-Secretary-General and was the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, and of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
She was also a high school teacher in Saskatchewan and among her degrees is one in home economics. She still designs and makes her own clothes. But Elizabeth Dowdeswell is the latest representative of the Queen in Ontario and the ceremony at Queen’s Park this morning was worthy of a royal.
The horse-drawn carriage, or landau, began at the Royal Ontario Museum and travelled south, circling Queen’s Park before stopping at the front steps. In the carriage with her are two of her nephews who live in Oakville, 11 and 13-years old, they are reportedly very proud of Aunt Liz and have a renewed interest in Canadian history at school. They say she always makes time for family and always has great stories — like dancing with Nelson Mandela. She was born in Ireland, grew up in Saskatchewan, and not only served at the United Nations but also with Environment Canada as an Assistant Deputy Minister, and she’s been on the times list of the most powerful women in the world. In her first speech after taking the oath of office, she said she’s spent the last few weeks in a very inspiring place — at the desk of Pauline McGibbon, the first woman Lieutenant-Governor in Ontario. But she said she’s been inspired by all her predecessors and will continue the causes they championed in office. And this is what she had to say about her personal mission as Lieutenant-Governor:
“We generally think of peace as freedom from war. But we’re not at peace if there isn’t enough food to eat. If there is inadequate shelter. If people are sick and cannot get adequate care. If they are impoverished and cannot hope to escape poverty’s grip.
In these terms, millions of our fellow humans on this planet cannot be said to be at peace. And so I believe my personal history will help me to serve you — to serve Ontarians in my term at Lieutenant-Governor.
Canada is approaching its 150th anniversary as a country. Undoubtedly, we will be motivated to reflect with pride on the important and central role that this province has played in the development of the nation.
But perhaps, we can dare to also think boldly about Ontario in the world. How can Ontarians contribute to, and succeed in, this changing and interconnected world.”
She said she developed a social conscious while growing up in Saskatchewan, as well as strength and humour and common sense and risk taking. But those ideals evolved in her worldly travels — and Ontario is the home she ultimately chose.