the order of st. john is said to have arrived in canada in 1648, as the second governor of new france, charles de montmagny, was a member of the original order, but it was not until 1883 that the first branch of the modern organization was established in the country, at quebec city, growing to 12 branches by 1892. the order of st. john today forms part of the canadian national honours system, and the priory, established in 1946 out of the commandery of canada, is the largest outside of the united kingdom, with some 6,000 members. the canadian monarch's viceroy, the governor general, serves as the prior and chief officer in canada, while the provincial viceroys the lieutenant governors act as the vice-priors, overseeing the administration of the order in their respective province. these individuals thus automatically become knights or dames of justice or grace upon their swearing-into viceregal office.