Following the departure of Janet Austin, the new lieutenant-governor of B.C. took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oaths of Office in the legislative chamber ahead of a guard of honour parade in Victoria.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia was sworn in as the 31st lieutenant-governor of B.C. before being presented the great seal and the collar of office.
Lisogar-Cocchia said she was honoured to receive the appointment, which she called both a privilege and a "profound responsibility."
"I look forward to this opportunity to engage meaningfully with the richly diverse communities of this province. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the [former] lieutenant-governor, Janet Austin, for her exceptional service and the significant contributions that Her Honour has made over the past 6 years," she noted in a release.
Lisogar-Cocchia is the former governor of the Business Council of British Columbia, the first female trustee of the Vancouver Police Foundation, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s fifth and youngest female chair. She's also the co-founder of the Pacific Autism Family Network and the Absolute Spa Group, Canada91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s largest independent spa chain.
"Her lifelong leadership and exemplary dedication to community service are examples for us all. I wish her the greatest success in fulfilling her important role as vice-regal representative," noted Premier David Eby in a news release.
After her swearing in, Lt.-Gov. Lisogar-Cocchia inspected a 50-person guard of honour and received a 15-gun salute.
Former Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin left her office on Wednesday, Jan. 29 after seven years on the job.