Janice Filmon, Manitoba's lieutenant governor, recovering from breast cancer surgery

Manitobalieutenant governor Janice Filmon is fighting breast cancer for a second time, her office confirmed.

Filmon, the wife offormer Manitoba premier Gary Filmon, is stepping away from her dutiesas lieutenant governor for a period of time as she recovers fromsurgery, a late Monday news release said.

She went through the procedureearlier in the day on Monday, her office reported, which said thatFilmon is "resting comfortably"post-surgery.

Her family is asking for privacy and further informationwill be provided at a later date, the news release said.

Filmonhas spoken publicly many times of her breast cancer diagnosis 30 years ago, and how cancerhas affected her family. She lost her mother to breast cancer and her daughter Allison to melanoma.

Janice becamea long-timechairperson with CancerCare Manitoba.

In Filmon'sabsence as the Queen's representative in Manitoba,the administrator of the provincial government will possessthe full constitutional powers to execute the office and functions of thelieutenant governor.

Absent from throne speech

The chief justice will beentrusted with the role, followed by other judges of the courts of Manitoba, in order of seniority, the lieutenant governor's officesaid.

Filmon was notably missing from the Manitoba Legislature on Monday during one of her customary duties, the reading of the speech from the throne.Chief Justice Richard Chartierread the address instead.

Premier Brian Pallister said this is a time for all Manitobans to pray for Filmon and her family.

"Janice Filmon, who was instrumental in my family's decision to enter public life many years ago, is a saint and I know that she's goingto recover and I wish her the very, very best," Pallister said.

"I say on behalf of all Manitobans, 'Janice get well, we want you back at work as soon as possible.'"

Filmon was appointed aslieutenant governor in 2015.

She has beena social worker, volunteer and motivational speaker known for her community and charitable work. She also served asa board member with the Winnipeg Airport Authority.

Filmon isthe founding chair of Manitoba A.L.I.V.E. (A Leadership Initiative in Voluntary Efforts), which teaches selected high school students the skills needed in the voluntary sector.