US to be graced by Canada's governor general

[FiveParadox]

His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., F.R.S.C., the Governor General of Canada, is set to visit the United States of America from April 28 to May 2, 2014, "with a view to strengthening bilateral relations, including commercial, educational and philanthropic ties." This will be His Excellency's third visit to the United States, at the request of the Prime Minister, as the Queen's representative.

The advisory, released by the Prime Minister's Office on April 25, 2014, speaks of the unique bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States. The Governor General will be visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, all in an effort to raise Canada's profile in the United States.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister

 

[BaalsTears]

...The Governor General will be visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, all in an effort to raise Canada's profile in the United States.
...

The Governor General won't be safe in California.

 

[gerryh]

considering the GG has no power or authority to enter into any kind of binding agreements, trade or otherwise, this is a taxpayer funded holiday.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

considering the GG has no power or authority to enter into any kind of binding agreements, trade or otherwise, this is a taxpayer funded holiday.

Yup.

 

[FiveParadox]

considering the GG has no power or authority to enter into any kind of binding agreements, trade or otherwise, this is a taxpayer funded holiday.

Well, in our legal and constitutional reality, only the Governor General has the power and authority to enter into such high-level treaties and agreements (albeit with ministerial advice and/or the advice and consent of Parliament, as the context requires). In any case, this visit to the United States is at the request of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Effective bilateral relationships are about more than just concluded trade agreements. The goodwill and mutual cultural understanding and appreciation that can be built up through the sorts of trips attended by the Governor General form an important foundation for future international discussions and negotiations.

 

[Spade]

Hope he brings his johnston.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Well, in our legal and constitutional reality, only the Governor General has the power and authority to enter into such high-level treaties and agreements (albeit with ministerial advice and/or the advice and consent of Parliament, as the context requires). In any case, this visit to the United States is at the request of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Effective bilateral relationships are about more than just concluded trade agreements. The goodwill and mutual cultural understanding and appreciation that can be built up through the sorts of trips attended by the Governor General form an important foundation for future international discussions and negotiations.

Figurehead. Nothing more.

Thus quoth the GG.

 

[gerryh]

Well, in our legal and constitutional reality, only the Governor General has the power and authority to enter into such high-level treaties and agreements (albeit with ministerial advice and/or the advice and consent of Parliament, as the context requires). In any case, this visit to the United States is at the request of the Office of the Prime Minister.

No, in our "reality" the GG is a rubber stamp and has been for many many many years.

 

[FiveParadox]

No, in our "reality" the GG is a rubber stamp and has been for many many many years.

The events of December 2008, wherein The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., then the Governor General, secured several assurances from the prime minister before agreeing to the prime minister's request for prorogation, demonstrates that this is clearly not the case.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

considering the GG has no power or authority to enter into any kind of binding agreements, trade or otherwise, this is a taxpayer funded holiday.

Neither does California, so. . .

Hope the GG enjoys his stay.

 

[EagleSmack]

We're gonna get graced!

 

[petros]

We're gonna get graced!

Lucky you. Congrats to the Bruins. I hope they thump the Habs.

 

[BornRuff]

considering the GG has no power or authority to enter into any kind of binding agreements, trade or otherwise, this is a taxpayer funded holiday.

No, in our "reality" the GG is a rubber stamp and has been for many many many years.

[/FONT]

I get what you mean, but the GG certainly does have all the power and authority, they just don't use it.

I mean, technically our entire political system below him is just a suggestion from us as to how we think he should act.

Realistically though, this trip isn't any more or less useful than 99% of the travel that any other political figure does. Does flying John Baird over to the Ukraine really have any impact on the situation other than making the Harper Government look like they are doing something?

 

[EagleSmack]

Lucky you. Congrats to the Bruins. I hope they thump the Habs.

Thanks Petros!

Long road to the cup.

I think it should be all wrapped up by July the way it is going. Meaning the NHL Playoffs in general.

 

[petros]

Bruins have a good shot at going the distance. I'm more happy about football starting in 6 weeks.

Go Riders!

 

[pgs]

Bruins have a good shot at going the distance. I'm more happy about football starting in 6 weeks.

Go Riders!

Football doesn't start till September Go Dolphins .

 

[Nuggler]

We're gonna get graced!

So you wanna know WTF is a governor general ??


Obama probably is curious too.

 

[Spade]

There was a shift, prior to the Harper regime, in definition of governors general. That shift was towards a de facto head of state, appointed by the crown, but representing all Canadians. However, more recently, there has been a stubborn instance that a governor general is simply a surrogate Monarch, with little more substance than a pitch hitter at the goverment's pleasure.