Leading with hope: Recognizing the Honourable Janet Austin

Some would describe the roles of Governor General and Lieutenant Governor purely ceremonial. The Honourable Janet Austin would (politely, of course) disagree. 

Austin served seven years as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, from 2018 to 2025, and her impact was far from figurative. During her mandate, she brought important profile to contemporary issues defined by three themes – upholding democracy, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, and championing Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Austin has altered our province in many ways – big and small.  

In recognition of her significant service and leadership, Austin will be awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at the Royal Roads University Spring 2025 Convocation ceremonies. 

When it comes to the role of Lieutenant Governor, Austin has a distinct perspective.  

“It was an enormous privilege to recognize British Columbians in all walks of life with honours and awards,” she notes.  “While this is the most visible part of the role, equally if not more important, are the constitutional functions of the role,” says Austin.  

“A key responsibility is to build understanding of our constitutional monarchy – with its separation of state and government – as a stabilizing characteristic in the governance of our country, linking us to a tradition of parliamentary democracy, equality before the law, and protection of our human rights,” she explains. 

Austin’s perspective on democracy is part of what made her an exceptional Lieutenant Governor. Through a global pandemic, a toxic drug crisis, reckonings with racism, economy and healthcare; when polarization threatened to divide, Austin was steadfast in her efforts to bring people together.  

“The opposite of polarization in relation to democracy” she notes, “is not uniformity of opinion. Rather, we need a rich diversity of ideas and perspectives for democracy to thrive. 

“The goal is to create the conditions for respectful and engaged conversations, where people can share their views and be heard, enabling those who disagree to participate,” she says. “That is the best of democracy.” 

How can we achieve that level of respectful collaboration? Austin says it’s important to start education on governance early, promote engagement in civil society, and begin to explore new decision-making models such as deliberative democracy—a framework that prioritizes informed consent and collective judgments over simple majority voting. 

“Hope is not blind optimism, or the passive idea that things will simply work out. Rather, it is the active conviction that, together, with courage and effort, we can claim the agency and power to make things better.” – The Honourable Janet Austin

Austin acknowledges that it can be difficult to remain hopeful in the face of all the challenges globally, nationally and locally. However, she sees many reasons to be hopeful in the present moment, including the rapid development of highly effective vaccines; the promise of new technologies in diverse fields; the growing commitment to meaningful Reconciliation; and the coming together of Canadians in the face of threats to economy, society and sovereignty.  

“Hope is not blind optimism, or the passive idea that things will simply work out,” she explains. “Rather, it is the active conviction that, together, with courage and effort, we can claim the agency and power to make things better.”  

Austin brought diverse professional and community experience to the role of Lieutenant Governor, having served 15 years as CEO of the YWCA of Metro Vancouver where she led advocacy and operations for tens of thousands of people annually and positioned the YWCA as a leading voice on gender equality and social justice. As a community volunteer, she served many organizations in commitment to improving the lives of others. 

Austin’s passion for serving her community was illustrated by all she accomplished during her time as Lieutenant Governor. Some examples include: raising the profile of Indigenous art, culture and language revitalization; supporting climate adaptation work; raising awareness about human trafficking, as well as domestic violence and brain injury; and fostering long-form investigative journalism through the Lieutenant Governor’s British Columbia Journalism Fellowship.  

“My faith is in the fundamental goodness of humanity,” says Austin. “When we expect the best of people, seldom do they disappoint us.”  

Austin happily reports that her 15-year-old pup, MacDuff Austin-Chester, is thriving and charming as ever. He took the role of Vice Regal Canine Consort very seriously, ever delighted to greet visitors with a friendly shake of his paw and wag of his tail. He also served as Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog Ambassador throughout his term in office. In recognition of his seven years of loyal service, Premier David Eby proclaimed January 29, 2025, as Vice Regal Canine Consort Day in British Columbia.   

The Honourable Janet Austin receives the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the Spring 2025 Convocation ceremonies. This is the university’s highest honour awarded to people who reflect Royal Roads University's vision and values and have achieved a significant record of success and community service.