The lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia is appointed in the same manner as the other provincial viceroys in Canada and is similarly tasked with carrying out most of the monarch's constitutional and ceremonial duties.

[1] The present, and 34th lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia is Mike Savage, who has served in the role since 13 December 2024.

The lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia is vested with a number of governmental duties and is also expected to undertake various ceremonial roles.

[4] The viceroy further presents numerous other provincial honours and decorations, as well as various awards that are named for and presented by the lieutenant governor; these are generally created in partnership with another government or charitable organization and linked specifically to their cause.

[5] These honours are presented at official ceremonies, which count amongst hundreds of other engagements the lieutenant governor partakes in each year, either as host or guest of honour; the lieutenant governor in 2006 undertook 289 engagements and 384 in 2007.

[6] At these events, the lieutenant governor's presence is marked by the lieutenant governor's standard, consisting of a blue field bearing the escutcheon of the Arms of His Majesty in Right of Nova Scotia surmounted by a crown and surrounded by ten gold maple leaves, symbolizing the ten provinces of Canada.

The aides-de-camp who serve the lieutenant governor wear on their uniforms a badge consisting of the Royal Union Flag in shield form defaced by the arms of Nova Scotia within a wreath of maple leaves, all surmounted by St Edward's Crown.

[8] The office of lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia came into being in 1786, when the government of William Pitt adopted the idea that Nova Scotia, along with New Brunswick, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island, should have as their respective governors a single individual.

The earlier post of governor of Nova Scotia thus came to be occupied by the overreaching authority of the governor-in-chief, who was represented in the colony by a lieutenant.

The modern incarnation of the office was established in 1867, upon Nova Scotia's entry into Confederation.

The shortest mandate by a Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia was Joseph Howe, for three weeks in July 1873, and the longest was Malachy Bowes Daly, from 1890 to 1900.

Presiding by Desire: Nova Scotia's Popular Lieutenant Governor: Hon.