The Canadian Government The Governor General represents the monarch in Canada. He/she is appointed by the monarch on advice of the Canadian Government. Governors General open Parliment and read the speech from the throne which outlines the governments plans. They also give royal assent to bills, appoint important officials, greet foreign leaders, and give out awards and medals. The role of the Governor General is formal and symbolic. The current Govener General is Ray Hnatyshyn. The Last one was Jeanne Sauve. The Senate is, in essence, an independant House of Commons. It appoints its own Speaker and runs its own affairs. The Prime Minister (I'