Lieutenant-general (Canada)


 * Please see "Lieutenant General" for other countries which use this rank

In the Canadian Forces, the rank of lieutenant-general (LGen) (lieutenant-général or Lgén in French) is an Army or Air Force rank equal to a vice-admiral of the Navy. A lieutenant-general is a general officer, the equivalent of a Naval flag officer. A lieutenant-general is senior to a major general or rear-admiral, and junior to a general or admiral. Prior to 1968, Canadian Air Force officers held the equivalent rank of air marshal, which was abandoned with the unification of the Canadian Forces.

Insignia
The rank insignia for a lieutenant-general is three gold maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic, and on slip-ons on other uniforms. The service dress tunic also features a wide strip of gold braid around the cuff. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.

Forms of address
Lieutenant-generals are addressed verbally as "general" and name, as are all general officer ranks; thereafter by subordinates as "sir" or "ma'am", as applicable. In French, subordinates thereafter use the expression "mon général". Lieutenant-generals are normally entitled to staff cars.

Appointments
A lieutenant-general generally holds only the most senior command or administrative appointments, barring only Chief of the Defence Staff, which is held by a full admiral or general. Appointments held by lieutenant-generals may include Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS); Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (DCDS); Commander of the Canadian Army and Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In November 2009, Prince Charles became an honorary lieutenant-general of the Canadian Forces Land and Air Command.