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| Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell |
Elizabeth Dowdeswell was sworn into office Tuesday, September 23, 2014, promising to make the lieutenant governor’s office a safe space and a crucible for ideas. It was a commitment to begin her term by convening diverse groups of Ontarians to hear ideas about the province’s place in the world. “What can we contribute and what we can learn from each other to meet the global and local challenges we face in common?” she said. “The aim will be to provide a forum for reflection in the lieutenant-governor’s office, a safe space and a crucible for ideas. And in time priority themes will emerge.” Dowdeswell said. She said her time as undersecretary general of the United Nations helped had convinced her “the world’s most important problems are Ontario’s most fundamental challenges.” “Our first challenge is to ensure responsible and inclusive prosperity so that everyone has a meaningful opportunity to participate,” said Dowdeswell. “The second and related challenge is the fragility of our planet, our mutual vulnerability. Finally, there is a third challenge: as we protect our precious natural resources and develop economically, can we ensure social cohesion?” Ms. Dowdeswell replaced David Onley who served with distinction since September 5, 2007.
