Elizabeth Dowdeswell sworn in as Ontario lieutenant-governor

Elizabeth Dowdeswell (right) swears the oath of office as she is installed as Ontario's 29th Lieutenant Governor as Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne (left) and Chief Justice of Ontario George Strathy look on in the Queen's Park Legislative Chamber in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. (Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO -- Ontario's new lieutenant-governor is looking for public input as to what causes she should champion in her role as the Queen's representative in the province.

Elizabeth Dowdeswell arrived at the legislature in a horse-drawn landau for her installation ceremony, which included a 100-person honour guard from the 4th Canadian Division and a 15-gun salute.

She was greeted by outgoing Lt.-Gov. David Onley, who had held the vice-regal position for the past seven years.

In the text of her inaugural speech, Dowdeswell applauded all her predecessors for fighting racism and advocating on behalf of First Nations, children and the environment.

Dowdeswell said her time as undersecretary general of the United Nations helped shape her world view, and convinced her "the world's most important problems are Ontario's most fundamental challenges."

The Saskatchewan-born Dowdeswell said she will start her term by listening to people's ideas about Ontario's place in the world and what we can do to meet global and local challenges.

She plans to "provide a forum for reflection in the lieutenant-governor's office and a crucible for ideas," and said in time priority themes will emerge.

"Our first challenge is to ensure responsible and inclusive prosperity so that everyone has a meaningful opportunity to participate," said Dowdeswell.

"The second and related challenge is the fragility of our planet, our mutual vulnerability. Finally, there is a third challenge: as we protect our precious natural resources and develop economically, can we ensure social cohesion?"