When does Clarkson stop being governer general?

[Big Blue Machine]

Does anyone know? She spends TOO MUCH MONEY.

[Michael Hardner]

We could get some of it back by abolishing the senate....

[playfullfellow]

I am sure there are plenty of other things we could get rid of to recoup the money. Compared to some, what Clarkson spends is chicken feed.

[udawg]

What I want to know is, what is the historical role of the governor-general, as far as responsibilities outside opening Parliament go. I'm too young to really have paid attention to politics in a time when she wasn't GG... what is she supposed to be doing?

[g_bambino]

Big Blue Machine--

The Governor General has no limit to his or her term. They are in office at the pleasure of the Queen, though she most always follows her Prime Minister’s advice as to when and whom to appoint.

Traditionally the person holding the post changes every 5 years, but numerous times the same person has remained in office for longer. For example:

Vincent Massey (1952-59, 7 years & 7 months)

Georges Vanier (1959-67, 7 years & 7 months, died in office)

Roland Michener (1957-74, 6 years & 9 months)

Jeanne Sauve (5 years & 8 months)

With Canada now under a minority government, it is unlikely (thought not impossible) that Mme. Clarkson will be replaced any time soon.

As for your claim that she spends too much money, please explain how you came to this conclusion? She has an annual budget, approved by and given to her by the government, to which her office must stick. This is used to pay for staff, and the running of Rideau Hall.

Any additional spending on State Visits, etc. is purely the responsibility of Foreign Affairs. Spending on the overall maintenance of Rideau Hall and grounds is the responsibility of the National Capital Commission. Her security costs belong to the RCMP.

So, does Mme Clarkson spend too much? Or do the ancillary departments spend too much?

There’s more on this issue here: http://www.monarchist.ca/menu/ggstatement.html

udawg:

The historical role of the Governor General is pretty much the same as the present role of the GG.

Firstly, Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and so we have a head of state (the Crown with Queen and GG) and a head of government (the Prime Minister).

The Canadian Constitution states that in the absence of the Canadian monarch, the Governor General is to act as their representative. Since the Letters Patent issued by King George VI in 1947 (read here: http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/...tersPatent.html ), giving almost all the sovereign’s powers to their representative, the GG has performed all the diplomatic, ceremonial, and constitutional duties the monarch would do when in Canada. In essence, the GG is the Canadian Counsellor of State.

The duties of the Governor General as a representative of the Crown include:

- Ensuring there is always a stable and responsible government, which means there must always be a Prime Minister (why it’s important the GG is there during a minority government).

- Giving Royal Assent to bills passed by the House of Commons and the Senate (this final act must be performed before the bill becomes law).

- Signing declarations of war.

- Resolving parliamentary stalemates or crises – which may involve exercising the Royal Perogative without or against ministerial advice.

- Issuing passports and citizenship.

- Dissolving parliament and calling elections.

- Opening a new session of parliament with the Throne Speech.

- Receiving foreign dignitaries and diplomats.

- Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

- Awarding medals and honours.

- Traveling on State Visits.

Most of these powers and duties are exercised on the advice of Ministers of the Crown (the cabinet), but, as mentioned, on rare but important occasions the Queen or GG can use these powers against or without advice. However, it must be an extreme circumstance for either of them to do this, for example when a government has violated the Constitution, has failed to perform its duties such as providing a budget or refusing to summon Parliament, or won an election through corruption or fraud. Otherwise it would be a breach of the Queen’s coronation oath, and the GG’s investiture oath.

The GG and Queen also have a symbolic role to play, which includes promoting national identity and unity. This task falls to them because they are representatives of the Crown, an apolitical body, rather than a politician who is a part of the divisive political arena. Thus, the GG and Queen can represent all Canadians regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, whereas politicians only represent a group of voters.

The role of the GG and Crown can be read here:

http://www.gg.ca/governor_general/role_e.asp

http://www.interlog.com/~rakhshan/proles.html