David Onley marks last day in office as Ontario’s lieutenant-governor
Posted September 22, 2014 4:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley marked his last full day in office on Monday, as the new lieutenant-governor is set to be ushered in.
Onley, 64, left his post at Queen’s Park after seven years on the job.
He will be succeeded by environmentalist Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who served as the CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies. She was also assistant deputy minister at Environment Canada.
Onley and his wife, Ruth Ann, were honoured with a ceremonial arrival at the lieutenant governor’s suite before a private ceremony inside.
His final act as lieutenant-governor was to personally thank his staff as he left his office for the last time.
Onley said his time as Ontario vice regal was an incredible experience.
“It has clearly been an absolutely amazing adventure,” he said.
Onley became Ontario’s 28th lieutenant-governor in September 2007 after a long career in broadcasting that included 22 years with City. Aboriginal education and disability issues were key parts of has mandate.
He is the province’s longest-serving lieutenant-governor in 68 years.
At a noon-hour news conference on Monday, prior to his official departure, Onley said when he was a television reporter, “never in my wildest dreams” did he think he would become lieutenant-governor. He also said he feels he has advanced the dialogue for people with disabilities during his tenure.
“Being asked by the prime minister to go to Beijing to head up the Canadian delegation for the Paralympic Games in 2008, that was quite remarkable.”
His immediate future plans include teaching political science part-time at the University of Toronto.
Dowdeswell will become Ontario’s 29th lieutenant-governor. The installation ceremony will take place on Tuesday in the legislative chamber at Queen’s Park.
With files from Kevin Misener
