The Governor General is the representative of the Canadian Crown (currently King Charles III), serving as Canada's head of state for constitutional purposes. Appointed by the monarch on the Prime Minister's advice, typically for five-year terms, the Governor General performs ceremonial and constitutional duties including opening Parliament, delivering the Speech from the Throne, granting Royal Assent to make bills into law, and formally appointing the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The position also recognizes Canadian achievement through the Order of Canada and other honours. While most powers are exercised on ministerial advice (meaning the Governor General acts as directed by elected officials), reserve powers exist for constitutional crises—such as determining which party should form government after unclear election results. Each province has a Lieutenant Governor performing equivalent provincial functions. The current Governor General is Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous person to hold the position.