GG Should Decide Whether to End Term

[Curiosity]

Five

None of my business but whenever I catch one of your posts I wonder when you are finally going to make the decision to get involved on a personal basis in your
favorite subject - one in which you are more knowledgeable than some of the
neophyte incumbents before they have ever taken office.

I hope you are considering it. Canada would benefit in any area of your interest and expertise. Curio

 

[Knowzilla]

Interesting idea

This is quite an interesting idea. But I don't think it'll work becausethe GG might not want to extend their own term because it'll seem bad on them, that they are trying to stay in power longer.

Related to that confirmation that Jean is on her way out:
It's quite unfortunate that the PM will not have Jean's "term" extended. She's been quite a good Governor General. If only her time in office would be extended by at least year. And polls shows that the majority of Canadians approve of her, and give her approval ratings that "politicians can only dreams of".

That said, I am sort of looking forward to another Governor General installation ceremony. It's very spectacular and meaningful.

Also, at some of the above poster's who think that the Office of the Governor General of Canada is powerless:

Under the the Constitution of Canada, nearly all executive power is vested in the Office of the Canadian Sovereign. These powers are delegated to the Sovereign's representative, the Governor General.

In fact, the Constitution doesn't even set up an Office of Prime Minister. The only way the PM and the rest of Cabinet exercise power is through the Governor General mostly.

The GG is not "a simple appendage of the establishment". He or She is the Crown's representative at federal level, and is vested with the nation's executive power. The Governor General is above politics and respected by the ruling government and opposition alike.

 

[DaSleeper]

FiveParadox is gonna love YOU:lol::lol::lol:

 

[pegger]

I would like to see this be an elected position.

And - unlike the Senate - it would be easier to do since it would not require re-opening the constitution.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

This is quite an interesting idea. But I don't think it'll work becausethe GG might not want to extend their own term because it'll seem bad on them, that they are trying to stay in power longer.

Related to that confirmation that Jean is on her way out:
It's quite unfortunate that the PM will not have Jean's "term" extended. She's been quite a good Governor General. If only her time in office would be extended by at least year. And polls shows that the majority of Canadians approve of her, and give her approval ratings that "politicians can only dreams of".

That said, I am sort of looking forward to another Governor General installation ceremony. It's very spectacular and meaningful.

Also, at some of the above poster's who think that the Office of the Governor General of Canada is powerless:

Under the the Constitution of Canada, nearly all executive power is vested in the Office of the Canadian Sovereign. These powers are delegated to the Sovereign's representative, the Governor General.

In fact, the Constitution doesn't even set up an Office of Prime Minister. The only way the PM and the rest of Cabinet exercise power is through the Governor General mostly.

The GG is not "a simple appendage of the establishment". He or She is the Crown's representative at federal level, and is vested with the nation's executive power. The Governor General is above politics and respected by the ruling government and opposition alike.

Some peoples strong affection for what is actually written in a constitution is touching. You go tell the PM that his office is not officially mentioned in the constitution. Then what? There are many conventions that override a written document and we all accept and have been accepted for well over a century. Actually much longer as our constitution and govt is based on the UK and they have no written constitution because Parliament is supreme. No written constitution?!?!?! How can they function?

Many countries have fantastically written constitutions and they are not very democratic for some reason.

The GG is "vested" with the nation's executive power. And the PM operates through the GG "mostly." Does the PM ever consult the GG? I would say never. But that would seem to violate the constitution, and there is no outrage. How about not at all in practice.

Another thing you can tell the PM on how the govt is really run. You've got the facts in your hands, in a piece paper. You rule. You'll get another pat on the head and then security guards will soon shoo you out the door.

 

[Risus]

And.. John de Chastelain is her replacement?

Just rumors like all the other ones out there and likely to come before September...

 

[Slim Chance]

How dare a Governor General have a personal agenda of spreading harmony and unity with the Canadian people! How dare a Governor General carry out an intense program to recognise Canadian excellence, caring and volunteerism! How dare a Governor General traverse our constitutional waters with an expertise, class and professionalism unparalleled by anyone else on our federal stage—and all of this fantastic work on behalf of Canadians for less than the salary of a single member of the House of Commons.

How very dare she.

That's her job then, is it? To spread harmony and unity, recognize achievement, etc... And every so often, she condescends to actually doing the work associated with the position of GG.

 

[damngrumpy]

Actually the job of the GG is to be the Queens head of state in this country. It has had
difficulties in the past as well. Many decades ago the GG did not merely dissolve the
House and clear the way for another election. In fact he invited the opposition to form a government, then wen home to England. After that we had Canadians assume
the role of GG. The job entails the responsibility to act in the interests of Canadians not just the government of the day. Harper will replace her because he is afraid she
will not do his bidding without question, and God forbid we should have someone
not simply comply with Harper's vision of the world.

 

[Slim Chance]

That's a highly skeptical view... Regardless, the role of the GG is not that of a diplomat or a globe-trotting representative. Our current GG and her predecessor transformed the role into one that suited their personal ambitions, needs and agenda's.

In terms of Harper, other posters have pointed-out that Harper is not the first PM to prorogue the government in order to avoid an issue. Chretin has used that same tactic as has Trudeau (11 times I believe)... That said, is it about the ability to prorogue, the person that uses it or who the GG is?

 

[FiveParadox]

Our current GG and her predecessor transformed the role into one that suited their personal ambitions, needs and agenda's.

Incorrect.

All State visits abroad by the Governor General are at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office and the expenses are explicitly authorised by the Parliament of Canada. The Governor General does not simply take wing and drop down into a foreign country to say hello.

 

[cdarro]

I would like to see this be an elected position.

And - unlike the Senate - it would be easier to do since it would not require re-opening the constitution.

I agree with you somewhat. I think the old Law Reform Commission had the best idea - invite the Order of Canada to submit the names of three Companions, and have the House choose one. This, along with a set tenure of five or six years could be implemented by simply issuing new Letters Patent regarding the office of Governor General.

Electing Senators would not neccessarily involve amending the constitution. A bill requring the Prime Minister to advise the G/G to summon to the Senate only those persons who have been elected for that purpose would suffice. Bil S-3 attempted something like this but was very poorly written and open to contrary interpretation.

 

[cdarro]

Actually the job of the GG is to be the Queens head of state in this country. It has had
difficulties in the past as well. Many decades ago the GG did not merely dissolve the
House and clear the way for another election. In fact he invited the opposition to form a government, then wen home to England. After that we had Canadians assume
the role of GG. The job entails the responsibility to act in the interests of Canadians not just the government of the day. Harper will replace her because he is afraid she
will not do his bidding without question, and God forbid we should have someone
not simply comply with Harper's vision of the world.

A look at a history book could be of some help here. I think you are referring to the King-Byng affair of 1926, when G/G Byng denied MacKenzie King a dissolution, since Parliament had just assembled after an election and the Liberals, though having the support of the Progressive party up to that time, actually had fewer seats than the Conservatives. After denying King his dissolution, Byng invited Arthur Meighen to form a government but Meighen's government fell in a few days. Byng then granted a dissolution to Meighen.

Although King won the public's support, constitutional experts like Eugene Forsey agree that Byng followed correct procedure.

Btw, the first Canadian G/G wasn't until 1952 (Vincent Massey) - some 26 years later; though a Canadian was apparently first considered in 1940. And the G/G isn't the "Queen's head of state" whatever that means. The G/G is the Sovereign's personal representative, exercising all powers, authorities and functions of the sovereign in right of Canada.

 

[Knowzilla]

Some peoples strong affection for what is actually written in a constitution is touching. You go tell the PM that his office is not officially mentioned in the constitution. Then what? There are many conventions that override a written document and we all accept and have been accepted for well over a century. Actually much longer as our constitution and govt is based on the UK and they have no written constitution because Parliament is supreme. No written constitution?!?!?! How can they function?

Many countries have fantastically written constitutions and they are not very democratic for some reason.

The GG is "vested" with the nation's executive power. And the PM operates through the GG "mostly." Does the PM ever consult the GG? I would say never. But that would seem to violate the constitution, and there is no outrage. How about not at all in practice.

Another thing you can tell the PM on how the govt is really run. You've got the facts in your hands, in a piece paper. You rule. You'll get another pat on the head and then security guards will soon shoo you out the door.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is not a merely a piece of paper. Of course I have affection for what's written in it.

The conventions through which the Office of Prime Minister exists does not override the Constitution.

And the PM consults with the GG regularity. Many executive decisions cannot actually be enforced without the Governor General. The Governor General, in the Queen's absence, is the administrator of the federal government.

 

[CDNBear]

And the G/G isn't the "Queen's head of state" whatever that means. The G/G is the Sovereign's personal representative, exercising all powers, authorities and functions of the sovereign in right of Canada.

So in other words, she the Queens head of state. Gotchya.

 

[Slim Chance]

Incorrect.

All State visits abroad by the Governor General are at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office and the expenses are explicitly authorised by the Parliament of Canada. The Governor General does not simply take wing and drop down into a foreign country to say hello.

... Then you really shouldn't have a problem with Harper authorising her to prorogue parliament, right?

 

[Knowzilla]

... Then you really shouldn't have a problem with Harper authorising her to prorogue parliament, right?

Actually Harper didn't authorize the GG to prorogue Parliament, he *requested* it. It's not like the GG wanted Parliament prorogued.

 

[cdarro]

So in other words, she the Queens head of state. Gotchya.

Sorry, no you don't. The Queen doesn't HAVE a head of state. She IS the head of state. The Governor General is authorized to perform all the Queen's functions as such but this does not necessarily make the position the de facto head of state, despite some revisionist assertions made recently.

 

[CDNBear]

Sorry, no you don't.

That was "gotchya" as in I get you. Not I got you...

The Queen doesn't HAVE a head of state. She IS the head of state. The Governor General is authorized to perform all the Queen's functions as head of state but this does not make the position the de facto head of state, despite some revisionist assertions made recently.

So let me get this straight...

The Queen is the Head of State? Yes...

The Governor General, is authorized to perform the Queen's functions as Head of Sate for Canada? Yes...

Then she is, the Queen's Head of State for Canada.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[cdarro]

That was "gotchya" as in I get you. Not I got you...

So let me get this straight...

The Queen is the Head of State? Yes...

The Governor General, is authorized to perform the Queen's functions as Head of Sate for Canada? Yes...

Then she is, the Queen's Head of State for Canada.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I'll try once more..

The G/G is not the Queen's head of state. The Queen does not have a head of state, being not a state but a person. The G/G is the Queen's representative and has been described as Canada's de facto head of state. Not the Queen's head of state. Canada's. A look at a first year PolisSci text - or a dictionary - could be helpful for you.

 

[cdarro]

That was "gotchya" as in I get you. Not I got you...

So let me get this straight...

The Queen is the Head of State? Yes...

The Governor General, is authorized to perform the Queen's functions as Head of Sate for Canada? Yes...

Then she is, the Queen's Head of State for Canada.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Sorry, still half asleep, more of a difference in terminology than anything.