Who Should Be Canada's Next Governor General?

[say1988]

Convention has the G-G chosen entirely by the government and being a citizen of that country.

As far as I know, there is no citizenship requirement, though.

Everything I've read suggested she really didn't have a choice unless she were to stretch the definitions of her role. Don't get me wrong, I wish she had said no.

It seems pretty clear to me that she was well within her authority to say no. The political ramifications could have been significant, though, just for the fact of a GG opposing a sitting PM.

It isn't like the selection is of particular importance, but I wonder if we can continue our string of foreign-born GGs, perhaps one from the middle east (we have Asian and black covered now).

 

[The Imp]

No one, abolish the monarchy in Canada. Transfer the position of Governor General to a Presidency and let her run for it if she wants to.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Is Canadian citizenship required, or would British citizenship suffice, as it is the Queen's representative after all.

I'm not 100% sure. However, the people (and some politicians) would question the loyalties of a non-Canadian. Mme Jean had to renounce her other citizenship, and become solely Canadian. Heck, when Stephane Dion became Liberal leader, a bunch of Conservatives were clamoring for him to renounce his French citizenship lest he act in the interests of France, and not Canada - my god, how could we ever trust a politician with dual citizenship?!

Well, if we were at war with the other country, I could see a conflict of interest... but honestly, it's preferred that the Governor General be a Canadian.

 

[say1988]

At least she wasn't a Kenyan

 

[Valka D'Ur]

At least she wasn't a Kenyan

What difference does that make?

 

[Arwon]

As far as I know, there is no citizenship requirement, though.

That's why it's a convention. Conventions have a lot of weight in Westminster systems.

 

[otago]

Oh shush. It's not as if I were to drive past Rideau Hall today, I'd see her walking around in full military dress. She put on a uniform for specific events, like Remembrance Day where she was joined by Prince Charles also in military dress.



Everything I've read suggested she really didn't have a choice unless she were to stretch the definitions of her role. Don't get me wrong, I wish she had said no.

Prince Charles, the next king, a little different is it not ?
So what rank did she have up ?

Nope, she did not have to stretch her role at all, all she had to ask was, PM do you have the confidence of the house and have you put that confidence to the test this day.
If the answer was no to those questions, then she was required to tell him to either put a confidence vote to the house or resign.

 

[emzie]

Prince Charles, the next king, a little different is it not ?
So what rank did she have up ?

Charles isn't the next King, William is. And no, I don't think it's different (well, the fact that Charles served in the military makes it somewhat different) since the monarchy is the ceremonial Commander-in-Chief of the military.

As to her rank displayed, the GG has a unique rank.

Nope, she did not have to stretch her role at all, all she had to ask was, PM do you have the confidence of the house and have you put that confidence to the test this day.
If the answer was no to those questions, then she was required to tell him to either put a confidence vote to the house or resign.

She had that power, and one might argue responsibility, but it was my impression at the time that the public would have considered her actions as beyond the scope of her traditional responsibilities.

 

[Arwon]

Charles isn't the next King, William is.

You know something we don't?

 

[emzie]

You know something we don't?

Only speculation that William is being prepped for the roll... and the fact that I will gladly join in burning down every institution of the monarchy here if I ever have to refer to Charles as King.

 

[Arwon]

No sorry, that's bollocks. You can't have a hereditary instituion and then pick and choose just because you prefer someone else. It's King Chuckles or bust, unless Elizabeth outlives him.

 

[otago]

Charles isn't the next King, William is. And no, I don't think it's different (well, the fact that Charles served in the military makes it somewhat different) since the monarchy is the ceremonial Commander-in-Chief of the military.

As to her rank displayed, the GG has a unique rank.



She had that power, and one might argue responsibility, but it was my impression at the time that the public would have considered her actions as beyond the scope of her traditional responsibilities.

Your public believe that the GG has no reserve powers ?
Do your schools not teach how the Westminster system works ?

 

[Zelig]

No sorry, that's bollocks. You can't have a hereditary instituion and then pick and choose just because you prefer someone else.

I don't see why not.

 

[Arwon]

Because if you're going to choose you might as well choose from an open field and let everyone have a say!