Lord Willingdon assumed his new duties as Governor General just as Canada embarked, domestically and internationally, on a new direction as an independent nation. Canada's change in status resulted from the Imperial Conference, held that same month, which gave the Dominions autonomy, making them equal to Britain. Consequently, Lord Willingdon was the first Governor General to represent the Crown and act on the advice of Canadian ministers rather than acting as an agent of the British government. Lord Willingdon travelled throughout Canada and met with a wide variety of Canadians. He was the first Governor General to travel by air, flying from Ottawa to Montreal and back. In one of his early speeches after taking office, Lord Willingdon foresaw a destiny for Canada that many Canadians today would endorse: "I hope and pray that our country may take a long step forward towards the fulfilment of its destiny, that of becoming a great nation, exercising a powerful influence in secur...