Re: Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
Yeah, it's tough all that partying, but someone has to do it.
I wouldn’t consider the sorts of engagements that the Governor General carries out as “partying”. There is a tremendous value to be placed on the preservation and promotion of Canadian culture, and the position of Governor General (such as it is placed above the partisanship of the day) is uniquely capable of performing that function with more legitimacy than it would by, say, a prime minister or elected representative.
Celebration of excellence? What excellence?
The Governor General is the
Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada (an Order which recognises excellence amongst Canadians); Her Excellency is also the
Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit (which recognises excellence amongst members of the
Canadian Forces), and the
Order of Merit of the Police Forces (which, as can be surmised, recognises excellence within the police forces). Then there’s the
Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, too.
What democratic gov't? We have an oligarchy.
What an odd statement.
We have a representative parliamentary democracy as a constitutional monarchy, with
Her Majesty’s Government for Canada responsible to our elected
House of Commons representatives. Our elected representatives decide the legislative agenda of the day, and whether or not the Government has the mandate and the democratic authority to govern — that sounds as though we have a democracy.
QE2 isn't evil, just generally a bit of fluff, is all.
Give me an hour or two, and I can post a review of The Queen’s activities on a day-to-day basis; many Canadians simply aren’t aware of the activities of the head of State, both
de jure and
de facto. The Queen’s schedule of engagements supports each of the sixteen
Realms of the Commonwealth, and besides — the emergency powers vested in The Queen by the
Constitution Act, 1867 are absolutely reason enough to hold onto the system of constitutional monarchy. These powers would not have the same meaning or non-partisanship, were they possessed by an elected head of State.
A monarch has majesty when the illiterate unwashed believe their king or queen has some kind of pipeline to a g/God. A sense of mystery and power exist here. Meanwhile to their personal servants and other aristocrats they are nothing special.
It is not a sense of ‘mystery and power’ — it is a sense of respect for the monarch of the nation (and of many of our global neighbours), and a sense of appreciation for the tremendously advantageous constitutional role that Her Majesty holds for Canada. It provides for a better system of government than we could hope for under any other arrangement, and that is one of the best reasons to keep the constitutional monarchy system over other proposals.
Some Canadians do not constantly engage in dainty engagements and they are not represented by this GG. If Canadian culture is as diverse as you say, she obviously must diversity her activities. She doesn't, so, it's time to dump her.
The confused and twisted logic here is sensational! “The Governor General doesn’t watch enough hockey, she must go!” Each one of the Governor General’s engagements has a value for the development of Canada and for Canadians; to suggest that Her Excellency should be dismissed because the OSGG hasn’t penned in a few hockey engagements is insane. Her Excellency’s activities as our representative of The Queen have been diverse and admirable. You’re clearly grasping at straws to discredit the Governor General and the monarchy.
Complete waste of time and Canadian taxpayers money. The monarchy its self is a national embarrassment. Since the GG is England's rep here they should be footing the bill not us. Anna is right, GGs never mingle with ordinary Canadians. Artsy fartsy stuff sure but I bet you would never find here at a stock car race or a fishing derby either.
Her Excellency the Governor General
started Citizen Voices.ca, a Web site that connects the Governor General to everyday Canadians. Her Excellency is the only Governor General, ever, to have question and answer sessions with Canadians on a public forum — the accusation that the Governor General does not ‘mingle with ordinary Canadians’ is blown out of the water. Also, it should be noted that the
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General is constantly working to reduce the costs of the OSGG; also, the costs of the Governor General’s program are far less than any comparable president as head of State.
Canadians chrish pomp and ceremony? Doesn't that guy from Alberta on Dragon's Den always like to wear jeans? We're a pretty casual bunch and our govt should reflect this too with the GG going to a fishing derby and then a barbeque. Why we piss away millions on the GG is beyond me.
The Governor General’s program is a bargain, compared to other systems. The pomp, circumstance and ceremony are a window into our past and a reminder of parliamentary and constitutional principles that should never be forgotten. I’m in shock that you would attempt to pull a
Dragon’s Den reference as any sort of proof against the merits of the Governor General; it’s perhaps one of the most confused arguments I’ve ever heard. It’s sad that you have such vitriol and hatred for any Canadian heritage or history,
dumpthemonarchy. Maybe you should just start up a petition for de-Confederation entirely, for all of the value that you seem to give it.
She very much did mingle with ordinary folk at the Acadian World Congress in NB this past August. I was not impressed when PM Martin chose her and she kinda wimped out on the prorogation in January but over all she has done a credible job. I was very impressed when she donned a Naval uniform for the presentation of new colours to the RCN. It has been a while since we had a Commander in Chief wear a uniform.
Hear, hear!
