Janet Austin is next B.C. lieutenant governor

Janet Austin
Photo: YWCA

JANET Austin, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Metro Vancouver, is the next lieutenant governor for British Columbia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday.

Trudeau said: “Ms. Austin is an outstanding leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others. 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 has been the CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver since 2003. Prior to joining the YWCA, she was the Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and worked for BC Housing.

She is an active member of various local and national organizations, including the Board of Directors of Translink and the City of Vancouver’s Healthy City for All Leadership Table. During her career, she has served on numerous boards, including the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Paediatric Society.

She has received several awards, including the Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award and the Wendy McDonald Diversity Champion Award. She is also the recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and is a Member of the Order of British Columbia.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C.

Trudeau thanked outgoing Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon for her numerous contributions and her work to engage communities, non-profit organizations, and businesses across the province since taking office in 2012.

 

PREMIER John Horgan in a statement said: “I join British Columbians in welcoming Janet Austin as the next lieutenant governor and Queen’s representative in British Columbia.

“Ms. Austin is a business leader and change-maker who has dedicated her career to helping people and building community. She will ably represent our province as B.C.’s next lieutenant-governor.

“At this time, I would like to recognize Her Honour Judith Guichon for her years of service. She has performed her duties admirably, and British Columbians everywhere offer her their thanks and best wishes for the future.”

 

ANDREW Wilkinson, Leader of the Official Opposition, welcoming Austin’s appointment, said in a statement: “Janet Austin has demonstrated her passion for public service and helping people, through her extensive work with a wide variety of local and national organizations. We look forward to seeing her bring her talents and energy to the position of lieutenant governor of British Columbia. 

“We also salute Her Honour Judith Guichon for her exemplary work serving British Columbians in this role, and we wish her the very best.”