Functional Responsibility:
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor began when The Alberta Act (R. S. Chapter 3, 1906) established the Province on September 1, 1905. All the powers, authorities and functions of the Lieutenant Governor in the North-West Territories were vested in the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Alberta. Initially, the Lieutenant Governor was an agent of the federal government functioning to advise regarding the intent of federal legislation and ensuring that provincial legislation conformed to federal statutes. As the Provincial Government's authority increased, the role of the Lieutenant Governor was primarily concerned with acting as the Queen's representative and as Chief Executive Officer of the Province of Alberta. As the representative of the crown at the provincial level, the Lieutenant Governor exercises the Monarch's powers and authorities with respect to Alberta.

Lieutenant Governor is responsible to ensure the Province of Alberta always has a Premier. The Lieutenant Governor summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Legislature, and reads the Speech from the Throne at the opening of each Session. The Lieutenant Governor designates the Ministers who are to administer the departments and by definition members of the Executive Council (S.A. Chapter G-8.5, 1994). The Lieutenant Governor is responsible for giving Royal Assent in the Monarch's name to measures and bills passed by the Legislative Assembly. The Lieutenant Governor has the same responsibilities if the government resigns following a defeat in the Legislature or in an election. The Lieutenant Governor is not involved in political activity.

Administrative Relationships:
The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General of Canada, on the advice of the Prime Minister, for a period of not fewer than five years. If the Lieutenant Governor is unable to perform the function of the office, the Chief Justice of Alberta assumes responsibility in an interim capacity. The Lieutenant Governor has the constitutional position as head of the Executive Government.

Administrative Structure:
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor consists of the Lieutenant Governor and staff.

Names of Chief Officers:
Lieutenant Governors of Alberta
George H. V. Bulyea (1905-1915)
Dr. Robert G Brett (1915-1925)
Dr. William Egbert (1925-1931)
William L. Walsh (1931-1936)
Colonel Philip C.H. Primrose (1936-1937)
John C. Bowen (1937-1950)
John J. Bowlen (1950-1959)
J. Percy Page (1959-1966)
J. W. Grant MacEwan (1966-1974)
Ralph G. Steinhauer (1974-1979)
Frank C. Lynch-Staunton (1979-1985)
W. Helen Hunley (1985-1991)
T. Gordon Towers (1991-1996)
Andrew "Bud" Olson (1996-2000)
Lois Elsa Hole (2000-2005)
Norman Kwong (2005-2010)
Donald Stewart Ethell (2010-present)