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.
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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.
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.
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 an operational command (such as Canada Command); Chief of the Land Staff (CLS); Chief of the Air Staff (CAS); Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of National Defence in various capacities; or commander of or representative to a multinational force, alliance, or treaty organization. Positions currently (as of 1 April 2009) held by Lieutenant-Generals are:
In November 2009, Prince Charles became an honourary Lieutenant-General of the Canadian Forces Land and Air Command.
This list does not include Vice Admirals who hold positions that would otherwise be held by Lieutenant-Generals.