Who is the woman at the center of the current parliamentary crisis in Ottawa? She is Canada's Governor General, Michaelle Jean:

The governor general performs the duties of head of State and has several constitutional responsibilities. The role of the governor general is to serve as the representative of the Crown in Canada and as the guarantor of responsible government. One of the governor general's most important constitutional responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister, and a functioning and responsible government.

View the Governor General's website HERE.