The Federal Republic of Canada

[Smallc]

The GG role now should be to promote Canadian values and interest nationaly and internationaly!

And that's why the Governor General flies to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore tomorrow.

[g_bambino]

Not only did she spend money on trips, parties and diplomatic receptions like she was the Queen herself but on several occasions she made comments in the media that assumed she had the powers of the Monarch herself, when she didn't!

I'm not going to deny that Clarkson had an air of arrogance about her. But, the money her office spent was allocated by parliament and the state visits were (as they always are) undertaken on the advice of ministers, with the Departments of National Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Canadian Heritage involved.

She never assumed she had powers she didn't. (Though, it may have frustrated her that she didn't actually wield all the sovereign's powers. But that's just speculation on my part). What she did once say to the media, when trying to clarify the above facts around the organisation and funding of state visits (something the Prime Minister should have done), was that the governor general is above politics; which is true. It's just, that haughty demeanour didn't do her any favours when saying it. What she was also known to do was usurp the monarch's position in the order of precedence (at provincial functions, where she should actually have followed the lieutenant governor, at the anniversary of D-Day in France), which was wrong and for which there's no excuse.

[c/e, +]

Edited November 11, 2011 by g_bambino

[g_bambino]

And that's why the Governor General flies to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore tomorrow.

You beat me to it, Swift!

[g_bambino]

[W]hen there is a constitutional crisis in Canada(usually caused by the conservatives) then the GG has a tremendous amount of support and essentially turns into the robotic monkey playing the cymbals

Cite?

[Wild Bill]

I'm not going to deny that Clarkson had an air of arrogance about her. But, the money her office spent was allocated by parliament and the state visits were (as they always are) undertaken on the advice of ministers, with the Departments of National Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Canadian Heritage involved.

She never assumed she had powers she didn't. (Though, it may have frustrated her that she didn't actually wield all the sovereign's powers. But that's just speculation on my part). What she did once say to the media, when trying to clarify the above facts around the organisation and funding of state visits (something the Prime Minister should have done), was that the governor general is above politics; which is true. It's just, that haughty demeanour didn't do her any favours when saying it. What she was also known to do was usurp the monarch's position in the order of precedence (at provincial functions, where she should actually have followed the lieutenant governor, at the anniversary of D-Day in France), which was wrong and for which there's no excuse.

[c/e, +]

Good points, I'll admit!

Still waiting for those unbiased, objective words from WWWTT...

[cybercoma]

I'm curious who defines Canada's values and interests if these are what the GG is going to be promoting.

[WWWTT]

Good points, I'll admit!

Still waiting for those unbiased, objective words from WWWTT...

Actually smallc has pointed out that the GG's role has not changed since the libs. were in power.

This is news to me because the NDP and libs. are not critisizing the current GG for doing his job.

So essentially smallc has helped me show you how the conservatives are hypocrits.

Thanks smallc!

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Cite?

I was stating my opinion.

WWWTT

[g_bambino]

I was stating my opinion.

Okay, then: On what were you basing your opinion?

[WWWTT]

I'm curious who defines Canada's values and interests if these are what the GG is going to be promoting.

This may sound weird but Canadians?

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Okay, then: On what were you basing your opinion?

You know this topic was a lot more fun when the GG was a transformer with a left arm machine gun and laser eyes!

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Okay, then: On what were you basing your opinion?

Ok on a serious note I would have to say that I based my opinion on the fact that every time the GG is approached,the GG decision is a predictable safe one.

This shows a lack of self input and indicates they were "advised".

WWWTT

[g_bambino]

You know this topic was a lot more fun when the GG was a transformer with a left arm machine gun and laser eyes!

Only if Governatron also has a working understanding of our constitution. Otherwise, he's just all show.

I would have to say that I based my opinion on the fact that every time the GG is approached,the GG decision is a predictable safe one.

This shows a lack of self input and indicates they were "advised".

It might always be the safest one and taken on advice (whether ministerial or otherwise) - as it should be; but, predictable? That didn't seem to be the case when everyone was waiting breathlessly for the Governor General's decision on 2 December 2008. Advice doesn't mean command.

[+]

Edited November 11, 2011 by g_bambino

[WWWTT]

It might always be the safest one and taken on advice (whether ministerial or otherwise) - as it should be; but, predictable? That didn't seem to be the case when everyone was waiting breathlessly for the Governor General's decision on 2 December 2008. Advice doesn't mean command.

[+]

From what I remember at that time the GG's decision was the safest,uncontroversial and was predicted as such!

It was Harper that was forcing their hand into an awkward position!And manipulating our system!

In fact I would have enjoyed seeing a GG that wasn't a robot during a time like this!

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Only if Governatron also has a working understanding of our constitution. Otherwise, he's just all show.

[+]

You better leave the funny creative stuff up to me.

Stick to politics and you'll be OK!

WWWTT

[Tilter]

Only if Governatron also has a working understanding of our constitution. Otherwise, he's just all show.

It might always be the safest one and taken on advice (whether ministerial or otherwise) - as it should be; but, predictable? That didn't seem to be the case when everyone was waiting breathlessly for the Governor General's decision on 2 December 2008. Advice doesn't mean command.

[+]

The monarchy in Canada is a total farce, perpetrated by the government to placate the people in Victorer and maybe some in Kelowner, Reginer as well as some in Maritime Canader. The people in Alberter would just as soon forsake the idea that someone in Blighty has blue blood & craps nonstinkingly.

Edited November 11, 2011 by Tilter

[g_bambino]

From what I remember at that time the GG's decision was the safest,uncontroversial and was predicted as such!

Uh, yeah. Why would she have gone for unsafe and controversial?

It was Harper that was forcing their hand into an awkward position!And manipulating our system!

Harper was trying to manipulate the system, no doubt. However, Jean forced his hand by specifying that parliament would be prorogued as he requested only if 1) parliament would resume soon in the new year and, after that, 2) a passable budget would be immediately introduced.

[g_bambino]

The monarchy in Canada is a total farce...

Oh, look, another indepth and well formed criticism of the monarchy. I'm sure we all await your equally brilliant plan for replaing the Crown, what, precisely, the replacement will be, and why it will be better.

[WWWTT]

Uh, yeah. Why would she have gone for unsafe and controversial?

You were asking me on what I was basing my opinion on,do you not remember?

If you do not like my opinion or the events that unfolded then just say so!

But actually I think you agree with me but still want to blame me for something,I don't know?Which is it?

WWWTT

[guyser]

The monarchy in Canada is a total farce, perpetrated by the government to placate the people in Victorer and maybe some in Kelowner, Reginer as well as some in Maritime Canader. The people in Alberter would just as soon forsake the idea that someone in Blighty has blue blood & craps nonstinkingly.

In your opinion I suppose.

You would be wrong. Nice try though. Alberta has the 2nd lowest (To Sask) percentage of people wanting the Monarchy to be abolished. Reach around and grab another one ....

http://www.ekos.com/admin/articles/31may2002.pdf See page 52.

[g_bambino]

You were asking me on what I was basing my opinion on,do you not remember?

Yes, of course I remember. And I also recall that there's been no indication that the governor general acts, as you opined, like a robot, every decision he or she makes being entirely predictable.

It's almost assured any decision the governor general makes will be the safest possible. But, what the safest possible decision will be isn't always predictable. In 2008, there was no assurance Jean would not turn down Harper's request and let the vote of non-confidence go ahead in December; nor was there any prediction - as far as I recall - that she would place caveats on her acceptance of Harper's request for prorogation. We were in entrely uncharted waters at that time; how could anyone have known for sure what the Governor General's decision would be?

[cybercoma]

This may sound weird but Canadians?

WWWTT

All Canadians?

[WWWTT]

Yes, of course I remember. And I also recall that there's been no indication that the governor general acts, as you opined, like a robot, every decision he or she makes being entirely predictable.

It's almost assured any decision the governor general makes will be the safest possible. But, what the safest possible decision will be isn't always predictable. In 2008, there was no assurance Jean would not turn down Harper's request and let the vote of non-confidence go ahead in December; nor was there any prediction - as far as I recall - that she would place caveats on her acceptance of Harper's request for prorogation. We were in entrely uncharted waters at that time; how could anyone have known for sure what the Governor General's decision would be?

Then we disagree in our seperate recallection of the events of that time.

However I am inclined to agree with you that parhaps the exact details of her decission were not exactly predicted,but I believe there was a general agreement at the time that she would come to the decission of setting a deadline and budget release etc,etc,.This is the nature of the continuing procedure of government business and matters needed to be attented to.

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

All Canadians?

Ya why not?

WWWTT

[cybercoma]

Harper was trying to manipulate the system, no doubt. However, Jean forced his hand by specifying that parliament would be prorogued as he requested only if 1) parliament would resume soon in the new year and, after that, 2) a passable budget would be immediately introduced.

And if they didn't introduce that budget would she dissolve parliament and call an election? What could she do?

I'm interested to know more about the role of the Crown making the provinces sovereign and equal to the federal government. That's interesting to me.

I'm still going to promote the monkey in a fez though. I think the General RoboGov is too intimidating for the children.