Ray Hnatyshyn
Encyclopedia
Ramon John Hnatyshyn commonly known as Ray Hnatyshyn, was a Canadian
politician and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada
, the 24th since Canadian Confederation
.
Hnatyshyn was born and educated in Saskatchewan
and also served in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
prior to being elected to the House of Commons
in 1974, whereafter he served as a minister of the Crown
in two non-successive governments until 1988. He was in 1989 appointed as governor general by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada
Brian Mulroney
, to replace Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé
as viceroy
, and he occupied the post until succeeded by Roméo LeBlanc
in 1995. As the Queen's representative, Hnatyshyn proved to be a populist, reversing some exclusive policies of his predecessor, such as opening up Rideau Hall
to ordinary Canadians and tourists alike, and was praised for raising the stature of Ukrainian Canadian
s.
On June 4, 1979, Hnatyshyn was sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
, giving him the accordant style of The Honourable
; however, as a former governor general of Canada, Hnatyshyn was entitled to be styled for life with the superior form of The Right Honourable
. He subsequently practiced law and sat as Chancellor of Carleton University
before dying of pancreatitis
on December 18, 2002.
, was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Helen Hnatyshyn and her husband, John
, whose political links and friendship with John Diefenbaker
, the future prime minister, would provide his son with frequent exposure to high-calibre political debate. Hnatyshyn attended Victoria Public School and Nutana Collegiate Institute, and enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
, where he was placed in the Spitfire Squadron in Saskatoon and given the designation Air Cadet #107. He then, after graduation from high school, went on to attend the University of Saskatchewan
, earning there in 1954 a Bachelor of Arts
and, two years later, a Bachelor of Law. On January 9, 1960, Hnatyshyn married Karen Gerda Nygaard Andreasen
, eventually having and raising two sons with her.
Two years after he was called to the bar of Saskatchewan in 1957, Hnatyshyn's family moved to Ottawa
upon his father being summoned to the Senate. There, Hnatyshyn worked for his father's law firm while also lecturing at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Law
. However, he eventually set these jobs aside in order to run for the Progressive Conservative Party
in the 1974 federal election
, therein winning a seat representing Saskatoon—Biggar
in the House of Commons
. Following the dissolution of parliament that saw his riding abolished, Hnatyshyn won a commons seat for the riding of Saskatoon West
, for which he served as representative until he lost his position in the election of 1988
. During this time, he was appointed first, on April 2, 1979, to the Cabinet
chaired by Joe Clark
(as Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources
), and then to that headed by Brian Mulroney
(as Minister of Justice
) on June 30, 1986, the same year he was called to the bar of Ontario
.
that Queen Elizabeth II had, by commission under the royal sign-manual
and Great Seal of Canada
, approved Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney
's choice of Hnatyshyn to succeed Jeanne Sauvé
as the Queen's representative. He was subsequently sworn-in during a ceremony in the Senate chamber on January 29, 1990.
Hnatyshyn thereafter made an effort to open up Rideau Hall
the monarch's and governor general's residence in Ottawa to the public, establishing a visitors' centre and initiating guided tours of the palace and the royal park in which it sits. These moves marked a complete reversal of the policies of Hnatyshyn's predecessor, Jeanne Sauvé
, who had closed Rideau Hall to the general public. In 1991, Hnatyshyn, on the other hand, staged on the grounds the first of the annual Governor General's Summer Concert Series, and, the year after, mounted His Excellency's Most Excellent Rock Concert and re-opened the skating rink to the public. These events blended with some of Hnatyshyn's self-imposed mandates during his viceregal tenure, which included a desire to engage Canadian youth and focus attention on education, and to encourage the arts. In these veins, he established in 1992 the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Arts, and the Governor General's Flight For Freedom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literacy. Further, he founded the International Council for Canadian Studies, the Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn Education Fund, the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law, and the Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies
.
Amongst numerous other official and ceremonial duties, the Governor General presided over celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of Confederation, and welcomed to Rideau Hall the Prince
and Princess of Wales
, along with a host of foreign dignitaries such as President of Russia Boris Yeltsin
and King Hussein
and Queen Noor of Jordan. Further, Hnatyshyn undertook a number of state visits, including one to Ukraine
, before his time serving at Her Majesty's pleasure
ended on February 6, 1995.
Throughout his tenure as the Canadian viceroy, Hnatyshyn was both defended and criticised by the Monarchist League of Canada
. In their final summary of Hnatyshyn's years in office, though, the former governor general was generally viewed to have not stood up for the Canadian Crown that he represented, choosing to follow, instead of Vincent Massey
's example, that of Sauvé, who was herself seen as a republican. This lack of loyalty, it was argued, left Hnatyshyn with few defenders when he was targeted by members of the Reform Party
for his salary and taxes.
After his departure from Government House, Hnatyshyn returned to practicing law at the firm of Gowling, Strathy & Henderson, where he had previously worked between 1989 and 1990. In 2002 he was installed as Chancellor of Carleton University
in Ottawa, however, only months later, shortly before Christmas
, Hnatyshyn died of pancreatitis
. Per tradition, and with the consent of his family, Hnatyshyn lay in state
for two days in the Senate chamber, and, though he was Ukrainian Orthodox
, he was commemorated in his state funeral
in a multi-faith ceremony on December 23, 2002 at Ottawa's Christ Church Cathedral. The service included the funeral rite of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church officiated by Archbishop Yurij
, Bishop of Toronto, and the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a eulogy from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
's chief correspondent, Peter Mansbridge
, and Adrienne Clarkson
, by that time the sitting governor general, paid tribute to one of her predecessors via video, as she and her husband were en route to spend Christmas with Canadian troops stationed in the Persian Gulf
. Hnatyshyn was then buried at Beechwood Cemetery
in Ottawa.
Various memorials followed Hnatyshyn's passing: On March 16, 2004, Canada Post
unveiled at a ceremony, attended by Hnatyshyn's widow
, a $0.49 postage stamp
designed by Vancouver
graphic artist Susan Mavor, and bearing the formal portrait of Hnatyshyn taken by Canadian Press
photographer Paul Chaisson on the day Hnatyshyn became governor general, along with a tone-on-tone rendering of part of Hnatyshyn's coat of arms
. Two years later, a 48 minute documentary DVD examining the life of Hnatyshyn, A Man for all Canadians was released in Canada by IKOR Film.
Hnatyshyn's style and title as governor general was, in full, and in English
: His Excellency the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada, and in French
: Son Excellence le très honorable Raymon John Hnatyshyn, chancelier et compagnon principal de l'ordre du Canada, chancelier et commandant de l'ordre du mérite militaire, gouverneur général et commandant en chef du Canada.
In his post-viceregal life, Hnatyshyn's style and title was, in English: The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Companion of the Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Member of the Order of New Brunswick, and in French: le très honorable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, compagnon de l'ordre du Canada, commandant de l'ordre du mérite militaire.
Hnatyshyn's post-nominal letters
are, in order according to the Oxford University Calendar Notes on Style: PC, CC, CMM, CD, QC (Can), QC (Sask), BA LLB LLD(hc) Sask, LLD(hc) Queen, LLD(hc) Nfld, LLD(hc) Alb, LLD(hc) BCO, LLD(hc) NBC, LLD(hc) RMC, LLD(hc) RRMC, LLD(hc) Man, LLD(hc) Carl, LLD(hc) Osg, LLD(hc) McGill, DCL(hc) Bishop, JCD(hc) Vic, DUniv(hc) Ott, LLD(hc) Chernivtsi, DPhil(hc) Yonsei, FRHSC(hon)
Appointments 1973 December 18, 2002: Queen's Counsel
for Saskatchewan (QC) September 30, 1974 October 1, 1988: Member of Parliament (MP) June 4, 1979 December 18, 2002: Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
(PC) 1988 December 18, 2002: Queen's Counsel
for Canada (QC) 1989 December 18, 2002: Honorary Life Member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan January 10, 1990 January 29, 1990: Companion of the Order of Canada
(CC)
Medals January 29, 1990: Canadian Forces Decoration
(CD) 1992: Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Foreign honours 1989: Ukrainian World Congress
St. Volodymyr Medal 1996: Hebrew University Mount Scopus Award
January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Colonel of the Regiment of the Governor General's Foot Guards
January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Colonel of the Regiment of the Canadian Grenadier Guards
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) 1991: Queen's University
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) October 29, 1994: Memorial University of Newfoundland
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) 1994: University of Alberta
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): British Columbia Open University
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Northern British Columbia
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Victoria
, Doctor of Canon Law
(JCD): Royal Military College of Canada
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Royal Roads Military College
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Manitoba
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Carleton University
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Law Society of Upper Canada
at Osgoode Hall
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Ottawa
, Doctor of the University (DUniv): Bishop's University
, Doctor of Civil Law
(DCL): McGill University
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Yonsei University
, Doctor of Philosophy
(DPhil): Chernivtsi University
, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Organisations: The Hnatyshyn Foundation
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
, the 24th since Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
.
Hnatyshyn was born and educated in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
and also served in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for persons aged 12 to 18. It is administered by the Canadian Forces and funded through the Department of National Defence with additional support from the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada...
prior to being elected to the House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1974, whereafter he served as a minister of the Crown
Minister of the Crown
Minister of the Crown is the formal constitutional term used in the Commonwealth realms to describe a minister to the reigning sovereign. The term indicates that the minister serves at His/Her Majesty's pleasure, and advises the monarch, or viceroy, on how to exercise the Crown prerogatives...
in two non-successive governments until 1988. He was in 1989 appointed as governor general by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
, to replace Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
as viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
, and he occupied the post until succeeded by Roméo LeBlanc
Roméo LeBlanc
Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc was a Canadian journalist, politician, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 25th since Canadian Confederation....
in 1995. As the Queen's representative, Hnatyshyn proved to be a populist, reversing some exclusive policies of his predecessor, such as opening up Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is, since 1867, the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a 0.36 km2 estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main building consisting of 170 rooms across 9,500 m2 , and 24 outbuildings around the...
to ordinary Canadians and tourists alike, and was praised for raising the stature of Ukrainian Canadian
Ukrainian Canadian
A Ukrainian Canadian is a person of Ukrainian descent or origin who was born in or immigrated to Canada. In 2006, there were an estimated 1,209,085 persons residing in Canada of Ukrainian origin, making them Canada's ninth largest ethnic group; and giving Canada the world's third-largest...
s.
On June 4, 1979, Hnatyshyn was sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
, giving him the accordant style of The Honourable
The Honourable
The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable is a style used before the names of certain classes of persons. It is considered an honorific styling.-International diplomacy:...
; however, as a former governor general of Canada, Hnatyshyn was entitled to be styled for life with the superior form of The Right Honourable
The Right Honourable
The Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
. He subsequently practiced law and sat as Chancellor of Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
before dying of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. It may be acute – beginning suddenly and lasting a few days, or chronic – occurring over many years...
on December 18, 2002.
Youth and political career
Hnatyshyn, a Ukrainian CanadianUkrainian Canadian
A Ukrainian Canadian is a person of Ukrainian descent or origin who was born in or immigrated to Canada. In 2006, there were an estimated 1,209,085 persons residing in Canada of Ukrainian origin, making them Canada's ninth largest ethnic group; and giving Canada the world's third-largest...
, was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Helen Hnatyshyn and her husband, John
John Hnatyshyn
John Hnatyshyn was a Canadian lawyer, Senator and father of Ray Hnatyshyn, the twenty-fourth Governor General of Canada.Born in Ukrainian part of Austro-Hungary, the son of Michael and Anna Hnatyshyn, he came to Canada when he was two months old...
, whose political links and friendship with John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
, the future prime minister, would provide his son with frequent exposure to high-calibre political debate. Hnatyshyn attended Victoria Public School and Nutana Collegiate Institute, and enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for persons aged 12 to 18. It is administered by the Canadian Forces and funded through the Department of National Defence with additional support from the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada...
, where he was placed in the Spitfire Squadron in Saskatoon and given the designation Air Cadet #107. He then, after graduation from high school, went on to attend the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
, earning there in 1954 a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and, two years later, a Bachelor of Law. On January 9, 1960, Hnatyshyn married Karen Gerda Nygaard Andreasen
Gerda Hnatyshyn
Karen Gerda Hnatyshyn, CC was the wife of Ray Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada from 1990 to 1995, and served as viceregal consort during Ray Hnatyshyn's term of office....
, eventually having and raising two sons with her.
Two years after he was called to the bar of Saskatchewan in 1957, Hnatyshyn's family moved to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
upon his father being summoned to the Senate. There, Hnatyshyn worked for his father's law firm while also lecturing at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Law
University of Saskatchewan College of Law
The College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan is the university's law school. Located in Saskatoon in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, the College of Law was established in 1912 and is the oldest law school in Western Canada....
. However, he eventually set these jobs aside in order to run for the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
in the 1974 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1974
The Canadian federal election of 1974 was held on July 8, 1974 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 30th Parliament of Canada. The governing Liberal Party won its first majority government since 1968, and gave Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau his third term...
, therein winning a seat representing Saskatoon—Biggar
Saskatoon—Biggar
Saskatoon—Biggar was a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1978....
in the House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
. Following the dissolution of parliament that saw his riding abolished, Hnatyshyn won a commons seat for the riding of Saskatoon West
Saskatoon West
Saskatoon West was a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 1988.This riding was created in 1976 from parts of Moose Jaw and Saskatoon—Biggar ridings....
, for which he served as representative until he lost his position in the election of 1988
Canadian federal election, 1988
The Canadian federal election of 1988 was held November 21, 1988, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 34th Parliament of Canada. It was an election largely fought on a single issue: the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement ....
. During this time, he was appointed first, on April 2, 1979, to the Cabinet
Cabinet of Canada
The Cabinet of Canada is a body of ministers of the Crown that, along with the Canadian monarch, and within the tenets of the Westminster system, forms the government of Canada...
chaired by Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
(as Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada)
The Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources was a member of the Cabinet of Canada from 1966 to 1995.-Ministers:The office of Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys was abolished and the office of the Ministers of Energy, Mines and Resources created by statute 14-15 Eliz. II, c...
), and then to that headed by Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
(as Minister of Justice
Minister of Justice (Canada)
The Minister of Justice is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Department of Justice and is also Attorney General of Canada .This cabinet position is usually reserved for someone with formal legal training...
) on June 30, 1986, the same year he was called to the bar of Ontario
Law Society of Upper Canada
The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
.
Governorship general
It was on December 14, 1989 announced from the Office of the Prime Minister of CanadaOffice of the Prime Minister (Canada)
In Canada, the Office of the Prime Minister , located in the Langevin Block, on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, is one of the most powerful parts of the government. It is made up of the prime minister and his or her top political staff, who are charged with advising the prime minister on decisions,...
that Queen Elizabeth II had, by commission under the royal sign-manual
Royal sign-manual
The royal sign manual is the formal name given in the Commonwealth realms to the autograph signature of the sovereign, by the affixing of which the monarch expresses his or her pleasure either by order, commission, or warrant. A sign-manual warrant may be either an executive actfor example, an...
and Great Seal of Canada
Great Seal of Canada
The Great Seal of Canada is a seal used for official purposes of state in Canada such as the certification of Acts of Parliament that have been granted Royal Assent....
, approved Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
's choice of Hnatyshyn to succeed Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
as the Queen's representative. He was subsequently sworn-in during a ceremony in the Senate chamber on January 29, 1990.
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is, since 1867, the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a 0.36 km2 estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main building consisting of 170 rooms across 9,500 m2 , and 24 outbuildings around the...
the monarch's and governor general's residence in Ottawa to the public, establishing a visitors' centre and initiating guided tours of the palace and the royal park in which it sits. These moves marked a complete reversal of the policies of Hnatyshyn's predecessor, Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
, who had closed Rideau Hall to the general public. In 1991, Hnatyshyn, on the other hand, staged on the grounds the first of the annual Governor General's Summer Concert Series, and, the year after, mounted His Excellency's Most Excellent Rock Concert and re-opened the skating rink to the public. These events blended with some of Hnatyshyn's self-imposed mandates during his viceregal tenure, which included a desire to engage Canadian youth and focus attention on education, and to encourage the arts. In these veins, he established in 1992 the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Arts, and the Governor General's Flight For Freedom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literacy. Further, he founded the International Council for Canadian Studies, the Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn Education Fund, the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law, and the Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies
Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies
The Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies is an award established in 1995 by the International Council for Canadian Studies...
.
Amongst numerous other official and ceremonial duties, the Governor General presided over celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of Confederation, and welcomed to Rideau Hall the Prince
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, along with a host of foreign dignitaries such as President of Russia Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
and King Hussein
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...
and Queen Noor of Jordan. Further, Hnatyshyn undertook a number of state visits, including one to Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, before his time serving at Her Majesty's pleasure
At Her Majesty's pleasure
At Her Majesty's pleasure is a legal term of art derived from all legitimate authority for government stemming from the Crown. Originating from the United Kingdom, it is now used throughout the Commonwealth realms...
ended on February 6, 1995.
Throughout his tenure as the Canadian viceroy, Hnatyshyn was both defended and criticised by the Monarchist League of Canada
Monarchist League of Canada
The Monarchist League of Canada is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is "to promote the full expression and a better understanding of the history and real benefits of a uniquely Canadian constitutional monarchy"....
. In their final summary of Hnatyshyn's years in office, though, the former governor general was generally viewed to have not stood up for the Canadian Crown that he represented, choosing to follow, instead of Vincent Massey
Vincent Massey
Charles Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 18th since Canadian Confederation....
's example, that of Sauvé, who was herself seen as a republican. This lack of loyalty, it was argued, left Hnatyshyn with few defenders when he was targeted by members of the Reform Party
Reform Party of Canada
The Reform Party of Canada was a Canadian federal political party that existed from 1987 to 2000. It was originally founded as a Western Canada-based protest party, but attempted to expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a populist party....
for his salary and taxes.
Post viceregal career and death
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
in Ottawa, however, only months later, shortly before Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Hnatyshyn died of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. It may be acute – beginning suddenly and lasting a few days, or chronic – occurring over many years...
. Per tradition, and with the consent of his family, Hnatyshyn lay in state
Lying in state
Lying in state is a term used to describe the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city...
for two days in the Senate chamber, and, though he was Ukrainian Orthodox
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada is an Eastern Orthodox Church in Canada, primarily serving Ukrainian Canadians. Its former name was the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada ...
, he was commemorated in his state funeral
State funerals in Canada
State funerals in Canada are public events held to commemorate former governors general, prime ministers, members of the Cabinet who died in office, and, at the Cabinet's discretion, other eminent Canadians...
in a multi-faith ceremony on December 23, 2002 at Ottawa's Christ Church Cathedral. The service included the funeral rite of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church officiated by Archbishop Yurij
Archbishop Yurij (Kalistchuk)
Archbishop Yurij is Archbishop of Toronto in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.-Youth:...
, Bishop of Toronto, and the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a eulogy from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's chief correspondent, Peter Mansbridge
Peter Mansbridge
Peter Mansbridge, OC , a Canadian broadcaster and news anchor, is the CBC News Chief Correspondent and anchor of The National, CBC Television's flagship nightly newscast. Mansbridge has received many awards and accolades for his journalistic work including an honorary doctorate from Mount Allison...
, and Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
, by that time the sitting governor general, paid tribute to one of her predecessors via video, as she and her husband were en route to spend Christmas with Canadian troops stationed in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. Hnatyshyn was then buried at Beechwood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery is the National Cemetery of Canada. Because it is located in Ottawa, Ontario, the nation's capital, it is the burial site for a number of statesmen as well as a large number of mayors of the city. A woodland cemetery founded in 1873, it is 160 acres and is the largest cemetery...
in Ottawa.
Various memorials followed Hnatyshyn's passing: On March 16, 2004, Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
unveiled at a ceremony, attended by Hnatyshyn's widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
, a $0.49 postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
designed by Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
graphic artist Susan Mavor, and bearing the formal portrait of Hnatyshyn taken by Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. is the entity which "will take over the operations of the Canadian Press" according to a November 26, 2010 article in the Toronto Star...
photographer Paul Chaisson on the day Hnatyshyn became governor general, along with a tone-on-tone rendering of part of Hnatyshyn's coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
. Two years later, a 48 minute documentary DVD examining the life of Hnatyshyn, A Man for all Canadians was released in Canada by IKOR Film.
Titles
- March 16, 1934 June 4, 1979: Mister Ramon Hnatyshyn
- June 4, 1979 January 29, 1990: The Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn
- January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: His Excellency the Right Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada
- February 8, 1995 December 18, 2002: The Right Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn
Hnatyshyn's style and title as governor general was, in full, and in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: His Excellency the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada, and in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Son Excellence le très honorable Raymon John Hnatyshyn, chancelier et compagnon principal de l'ordre du Canada, chancelier et commandant de l'ordre du mérite militaire, gouverneur général et commandant en chef du Canada.
In his post-viceregal life, Hnatyshyn's style and title was, in English: The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Companion of the Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Member of the Order of New Brunswick, and in French: le très honorable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, compagnon de l'ordre du Canada, commandant de l'ordre du mérite militaire.
Hnatyshyn's post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles or designatory letters, are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honour. An individual may use several different sets of...
are, in order according to the Oxford University Calendar Notes on Style: PC, CC, CMM, CD, QC (Can), QC (Sask), BA LLB LLD(hc) Sask, LLD(hc) Queen, LLD(hc) Nfld, LLD(hc) Alb, LLD(hc) BCO, LLD(hc) NBC, LLD(hc) RMC, LLD(hc) RRMC, LLD(hc) Man, LLD(hc) Carl, LLD(hc) Osg, LLD(hc) McGill, DCL(hc) Bishop, JCD(hc) Vic, DUniv(hc) Ott, LLD(hc) Chernivtsi, DPhil(hc) Yonsei, FRHSC(hon)
Honours
| Ribbon bars of Ray Hnatyshyn | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Appointments 1973 December 18, 2002: Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
for Saskatchewan (QC) September 30, 1974 October 1, 1988: Member of Parliament (MP) June 4, 1979 December 18, 2002: Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(PC) 1988 December 18, 2002: Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
for Canada (QC) 1989 December 18, 2002: Honorary Life Member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan January 10, 1990 January 29, 1990: Companion of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(CC)
-
- January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(CC) - February 8, 1995 December 18, 2002: Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military MeritOrder of Military Merit (Canada)The Order of Military Merit is a military honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest order administered by the Governor General-in-Council, on behalf of the Queen of Canada...
(CMM) - February 8, 1995 December 18, 2002: Commander of the Order of Military Merit (CMM) January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Knight of Justice, Prior, and Chief Officer in Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of JerusalemVenerable Order of Saint JohnThe Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
(KStJ) - February 8, 1995 December 18, 2002: Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (KStJ) January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Chief Scout of Canada 1990 December 18, 2002: Honorary Member of the Royal Military College of Canada ClubRoyal Military College of CanadaThe Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
1993 December 18, 2002: Honorary Fellow of the Royal Heraldry Society of CanadaRoyal Heraldry Society of CanadaThe Royal Heraldry Society of Canada is a Canadian organization that promotes the art of Canadian Heraldry. Founded as the Heraldry Society of Canada, the mission of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and its branches is to promote the art of heraldry, particularly Canadian heraldry, and to...
(FRHSC): Honorary Life Member of the Law Society of Upper CanadaLaw Society of Upper CanadaThe Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
- January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada
Medals January 29, 1990: Canadian Forces Decoration
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
(CD) 1992: Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
Foreign honours 1989: Ukrainian World Congress
Ukrainian World Congress
The Ukrainian World Congress was organized in 1967 and was initially known as the World Congress of Free Ukrainians. It is an umbrella organization that coordinates and represents all Ukrainian organizations in the diaspora...
St. Volodymyr Medal 1996: Hebrew University Mount Scopus Award
Honorary military appointments
January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Colonel of the Regiment of the Governor General's Horse GuardsThe Governor General's Horse Guards
The Governor General's Horse Guards is an armoured reconnaissance regiment in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army, part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Based in Toronto, it is the most senior reserve regiment in Canada, and the only Household Cavalry regiment of...
January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Colonel of the Regiment of the Governor General's Foot Guards
Governor General's Foot Guards
The Governor General's Foot Guards is one of three Household regiments in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army, along with The Governor General's Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards. The GGFG is the most senior militia infantry regiment in Canada."Civitas et Princeps Cura Nostra" is...
January 29, 1990 February 8, 1995: Colonel of the Regiment of the Canadian Grenadier Guards
The Canadian Grenadier Guards
The Canadian Grenadier Guards is the second most senior and oldest infantry regiment in the Reserve Force of the Canadian Forces. Located in Montreal, its primary role is the provision of combat-ready troops in support of Canadian regular infantry...
Honorary degrees
May 23, 1990: University of SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) 1991: Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) October 29, 1994: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD) 1994: University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): British Columbia Open University
Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University is a comprehensive university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It offers students a broad range of courses, career streams, and the ability to ladder credits from diploma programs into full degrees...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Northern British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
The University of Northern British Columbia is a small, primarily undergraduate university whose main campus is in Prince George, British Columbia. UNBC also has regional campuses in the northern British Columbia cities of Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
, Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
(JCD): Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Royal Roads Military College
Royal Roads Military College
Royal Roads Military College was a Canadian military college located in Hatley Park, Colwood, British Columbia near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The facility is currently being used as the campus for Royal Roads University, a public university that offers applied and professional academic...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Law Society of Upper Canada
Law Society of Upper Canada
The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers and paralegals in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada"...
at Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall is a landmark building in downtown Toronto constructed between 1829 and 1832 in the late Georgian Palladian and Neoclassical styles. It houses the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court of the Superior Court of Justice, and the Law Society of Upper Canada...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, Doctor of the University (DUniv): Bishop's University
Bishop's University
Bishop's University is a predominantly undergraduate university in Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Bishop's is one of three universities in the province of Quebec that teach primarily in the English language...
, Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....
(DCL): McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, Doctor of Laws (LLD): Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University is a Christian private research university, located in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest universities in South Korea, the top private comprehensive universities in South Korea, and is widely regarded as one of the top three comprehensive...
, Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(DPhil): Chernivtsi University
Chernivtsi University
The Chernivtsi National University is the leading Ukrainian institution for higher education in northern Bukovina, in Chernivtsi, a city in southwest Ukraine....
, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Honorific eponyms
Awards: Ramon John Hnatyshyn Cup: Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law: Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the ArtsOrganisations: The Hnatyshyn Foundation