The new Lieutenant Governor of B.C. is longtime community activist Janet Austin, chief executive officer of YWCA Metro Vancouver.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement today (March 20).
"Ms. Austin is an outstanding leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others,” Prime Minister Trudeau said in a press release. “Her advocacy work has helped countless Canadians and makes her an excellent choice as British Columbia's next Lieutenant Governor. I know she will work hard to represent the province, and its people, well."
Austin was raised in Calgary and is a graduate of English from the University of Calgary. Austin spent the early years of her career in a variety of public sector roles in Calgary, working in regional planning and running public consultation and communications projects for the Alberta government. She eventually moved to B.C., where she began working with B.C. Housing.
According to an announcement from the YWCA, it was there Austin got the bug for public service and realized how important the business community is in being part of the solution. As director of development services, Austin oversaw the development of B.C.’s new social housing for seniors and families, as well as transition housing, homeless shelters and group homes for people with disabilities.
In 2008, Janet was included in the Women’s Executive Network’s list of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2013. In 2016, she was invested as a Member of the Order of B.C. Prior to joining the YWCA in 2003, Austin served as executive director of Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland.
Austin has sat, and sits, on numerous boards of directors. A partial list includes TransLink, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Canadian Paediatric Society, Canadian Council on Social Determinants of Health, City of Vancouver’s Healthy City for All Leadership Table, BC Housing, Riverview Lands Technical Advisory Working Group and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Women’s Health Research Institute.
Austin has also been recognized for her community work with many awards and accolades including:
- Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 for 2014
- The Business in Vancouver Influential Woman in Business Award
- The Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award
- Wendy MacDonald Diversity Champion Award
- The Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals
- The SFU Beedie School of Business BASS Award
- The YWCA Canada Carolyn Barry Bray Award
- The YWCA Canada Cleta Herman Award
- The Big Sisters Big Heart Award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer
- The Downtown Vancouver BIA Lifetime Achievement Award
The lieutenant governors represent Queen Elizabeth in their respective provinces and are appointed by Governor General Julie Payette on Trudeau's recommendation. The Lieutenant Governor fulfills the roles and functions of the Queen, including granting Royal Assent to provincial laws and visiting communities. Lieutenant Governors serve terms of at least five years.
Austin replaces outgoing Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, who took office in 2012.
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