The “Household” in the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s Office refers to the dedicated team that supports the Lieutenant Governor in her official duties. This team includes staff members such as the chief of staff, executive assistant, and other key personnel who help manage the day-to-day operations and events. Additionally, the Household includes a corps of honorary aides-de-camp, often from various uniformed services, who volunteer to assist and accompany the Lieutenant Governor during official engagements.
Aides-de-camp and volunteers
Aides-de-camp and volunteers
A corps of more than 50 aides-de-camp and volunteers contribute thousands of hours of service each year by accompanying and assisting the lieutenant governor during events. These positions are honorary, and those appointed serve at pleasure. In Ontario, aides-de-camp are current or retired uniformed service members selected from the three branches of the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, regional and municipal police services, St. John Ambulance, and local emergency services and first responders.
Chief of Staff and Private Secretary
Sabine Soumare
Sabine Soumare is a bilingual senior executive with more than 15 years of experience in public service, government relations, and stakeholder diplomacy. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting equity, and advancing reconciliation. She is known for a leadership style rooted in strategic thinking, collaborative execution, and meaningful engagement with diverse communities.
Before joining the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Sabine served as the Executive Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she led a national team and fostered partnerships with hundreds of stakeholders — including Indigenous communities, governments, academic institutions, and international organizations. Her professional path also includes senior roles in communications, policy, and governance across the Ontario Public Service and the province’s francophone community.
In her current role, Sabine supports the Lieutenant Governor in fulfilling her constitutional, ceremonial, and community responsibilities. She provides strategic leadership across the Office’s initiatives, strengthens collaborations between government and civil society, and helps advance Her Honour’s priorities in civic engagement, inclusion, and cultural diplomacy.