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The Governor General's Awards are named in honour of the Governor General of Canada, and are presented in a number of fields.

Since their creation in 1937, the Governor General's Literary Awards have become one of Canada's most prestigious prizes, awarded in both French and English in seven categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children's Literature (Text), Children's Literature (Illustration), and Translation.

The awards were created by the Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan), himself the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps. The awards first honoured only two authors each year, and only those who wrote in English. In 1957 the awards were put under the administration of the Canada Council for the Arts and a cash prize began to be awarded to the winner.

In 1980 the Council began to announce the finalists for the awards a month before they were presented in order to attract more media attention.

During her tenure from 1999 to 2005, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson made an effort to obtain copies of every book to win a Governor General's Award from book fairs and second hand shops for the Governor General's study. As of 2004 there were only two titles unrepresented.

The cash prize for this award was raised to $25 000 in 2007.

The Governor General's Awards in Visual Arts and Media Arts were first presented in 2000. The Canada Council for the Arts funds and administers the awards.

Six prizes are awarded annually to visual and media artists for distinguished career achievement in fine arts (painting, drawing, photography, print-making and sculpture, including installation and other three-dimensional work), applied arts (architecture and fine crafts), independent film and video, or audio and new media. One prize is awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the visual or media arts in a volunteer or professional capacity. The value of each award is $15,000. An independent peer jury of senior visual and media arts professionals selects the winners.

The Governor General's Medals in Architecture have been presented since 2002, continuing the tradition of the Massey Medals, begun in 1950. Up to twelve medals are awarded every two years, with no distinction among the medals awarded. The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada administers the competition.

The Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case have been presented since 1979. [1] They honour outstanding contributions that have promoted the equality of girls and women in Canada, demonstrated by leadership and excellence in any field. Candidates whose effectiveness and courage have advanced the cause of equality for girls and women in significant and substantial ways that have enriched their communities are considered. Five awards are given annually to candidates chosen from across Canada, in addition to one Youth award. [2] Status of Women Canada administer these awards.

• Governor General's Literary Awards at the Canada Council for the Arts
• Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts at the Canada Council for the Arts
• Governor General's Medals in Architecture at the Canada Council for the Arts