Administrator of the Government of Canada

Administrator of the Government of Canada (French: administrateur du gouvernement du Canada) is the title used by the individual performing the duties of Governor General of Canada – the federal viceregal representative – while the office is vacant or its incumbent is otherwise unable to perform his or her duties. The position is defined in the Letters Patent, 1947, which created the office of Governor General in its present-day form. Should it be necessary to fill the position, the chief justice of Canada may act as the administrator, followed by the puisne justices in order of seniority if the chief justice is unable to assume the role. Accordingly, the position is a temporary one meant to serve only during a vacancy in the office of governor general, and it is not a title that is consistently held by the chief justice at all times. It is invoked under the terms of a dormant commission.

The administrator of Canada represents the Crown in right of the federal government. The position of administrator may also exist in a provincial context, when a lieutenant governor is unable to perform his or her role of representing the Crown in right of a province.