Governor General Visits Downtown Eastside

[maplesyrup]

Howling media distorted visit

A few steps along Hastings Street west of Abbott, Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson abruptly pulled away from the flock of RCMP security, journalists and protesters trailing her on Tuesday morning. She made her way to the side of the building, stopped by a man stretched out along the wall and leaned over in an attempt to figure out just what was wrong and to see if he needed help.

Her move drew the attention of news cameras and two city police officers who took over and attempted to rouse the man.

You may not have noticed this spontaneous moment of caring attention if you had only the photographic account of Clarkson's visit in the Vancouver Sun, the Province, or the National Post. It wasn't played up on CTV or on Global B.C.

By then, with few exceptions, the media pack was in full howl. They had their story long before the day began-conveniently fed to them by a press release the night before from David Cunningham-the main mouthpiece for the anti-poverty crowd, and reinforced by his comments that morning. And they were sticking with it. Dissing Clarkson has become a national pastime.

This disgusting display by Canada's media would be hilarious if it were not so sad.

Vancouver is a perfect example of the tragedy of a one newpaper or medias outlet town.

[Newfie Canadian]

I'm not a big fan of the GG, not Clarkson, but the office of GG.

Having said that, the media, as it has been since it's inception, is there to sell. Unfortunately, what sells is controversy, destruction and the like. The plain, unadulterated truth rarely sells.

That isn't just a Canadian media phenom, but a global media one.

[maplesyrup]

Well the GG's position is currently essential to our way of governing.

And I think Clarkson and her author husband John Ralston Saul have offered some real class to the position or role. God knows, we need to celebrate the artistic community in this country.

His Excellency John Ralston Saul was even born in Ottawa!

His Excellency John Ralston Saul

You are correct, of course about the press - it is a universal problem! :angry:

[Newfie Canadian]

I don't have a problem with the people.

Clarkson is OK, and I really liked Ray Hnatyshyn.

It's the concept of the Governor General. There really isn't a need for it. It is totally outdated and unnecessary, and costly.

[Slavik44]

I don't have a problem with the people.

Clarkson is OK, and I really liked Ray Hnatyshyn.

It's the concept of the Governor General. There really isn't a need for it. It is totally outdated and unnecessary, and costly.

with over 30 million people in the country and 16 million in the workforce I doubt she costs you much more then a penny.

[Newfie Canadian]

My penny, and your penny, and my sister's penny add up.

From CTV dated Mar. 13, 2004:

News about Clarkson's trip to the cottage came on the same day that officials for the Governor General told a House of Commons committee that her total expenses last year hit nearly $41 million. That includes Clarkson's own budgetary spending, along with spending from other departments.

Clarkson's budget has jumped to $19 million from about $11 million when she took office in October 1999.

Give the $19 million to the military for salaries or military equipment or housing; or to the civil servants.

[August1991]

Give the $19 million to the military for salaries or military equipment or housing; or to the civil servants.

This is peanuts for the federal budget but you have to start somewhere.

The GG should be able to manage with, heck, $ 5million?

That's $36 million to go somewhere else. Wait a sec. That's 36 Canadians who win the million dollar lottery every year.

There's a minor problem. The GG will hide her/his budget in other government departments. But hey, other GG's did precisely that.

The lesson? Clarkson is a naive fool. Her budget shows too many of her expenses. (Maybe Chretien intended this...)

----

BTW, welcome to this forum you old Newf. As far as I'm concerned, no one can understand life until they've seen Cape Freels.

[takeanumber]

Give the $19 million to the military for salaries or military equipment or housing; or to the civil servants.

If you really are a newfoundlander, what are you talking about? You don't contribute anything to Ottawa anyway.

'my' penny my butt.

(teehee)

[Bakunin]

I think we should chop her head off on the public place and make it a holiday for the victory of democracy on dicatorship. An holiday for equality and liberty.

[August1991]

I think we should chop her head off on the public place and make it a holiday for the victory of democracy on dicatorship.

I agree. But we need a Head of State - let's go to Dollarama!

[caesar]

I think we should chop her head off on the public place and make it a holiday for the victory of democracy on dicatorship. An holiday for equality and liberty.

That is a vile and dumb statement even though said in jest. She is doing what she is there for. Attempting to promote Canada and bring us good will. My grand daughter was invited to meet her when she honoured the firemen in Kelowna after the fires. She is a gracious and classy lady. At least she does account for what she spends; more than most politicians do.

[maplesyrup]

I don't have a problem with the people.

Clarkson is OK, and I really liked Ray Hnatyshyn.

It's the concept of the Governor General. There really isn't a need for it. It is totally outdated and unnecessary, and costly.

NC......while I agree with you that the GG's role is outdated, and probably no longer needed, although she might come in handy with our current minority government situation, don't you think there is something to be said for traditions, ceremonies, and all that jazz?

I think we need our rituals, especially us newcomer countries like the ones in North America.

I would like to see a much more prominent role for our First Nations's people somehow, and would even consider allowing a few people from the West to participate (just kidding about the West comment).

[Bakunin]

I know she has almost no power but its a symbol. Lets remplace her by someone elected and someone who has nothing to do with monarcy, dictatorship and religious symbol. Also as a french quebecer, i dont want to be forced to pay tax $ to an english monarchy symbol.

[Newfie Canadian]

Well, where to start.

As far as I'm concerned, no one can understand life until they've seen Cape Freels.

That's a wonderful area of the province, that's for sure.

And I agree that it's peanuts, but as you say August1991, it would be a start.

You don't contribute anything to Ottawa anyway.

Well, IF we could get the oil revenues that we should instead of the feds, and if Smallwood hadn't sold the farm in the Upper Churchill deal, we'd do OK. Hopefully the oil revenue situation will be taken care of soon. It would also be nice if we could develop the Lower Churchill, which is being talked about.

don't you think there is something to be said for traditions, ceremonies, and all that jazz?

Perhaps, but I would prefer that after 137 years we could have built our own traditions instead of relying on an officer that represents the Queen.

And I agree that the First Nations should be more prominent in our country.

[g_bambino]

Its absolute fact that the media in Canada slobbers all over any 'bad news' they can get -- even if they have to invent it!

Clarkson has been a victim of this ever since she took over as Governor General.

The truth of the matter is that since she took office, there has been every effort to improve the office itself.

Under her vice-regal reign she has not sequestered herself away in the luxury of Rideau Hall, but gone out and traveled the country, to big cities and remote villages, in an effort to speak to Canadians from all walks of life -- the affluent to the impoverished, the urban to the rural, the Scottish, the Ukranian, the Ugandan, the Chinese, the Innuit, and so on. The benefit is two-fold. Firstly, she takes these experiences back to Ottawa where she can use her position as governor general to aid the push for improvement, or tell what is working well, and where. And secondly, it enables her to better represent all Canadians, which is precisely what the Crown is meant to do.

She has seen Rideau Hall renovated and restored, making it again an appropriate place to receive and entertain visiting Heads of State from other countries, and opened it to Canadian and international tourists. Jean Sauve closed the gates of Rideau Hall to visitors, making it her own private castle. Clarkson has opened them and improved visitor facilities, allowing people once again to walk the grounds and tour the house-- because Clarkson realises Rideau Hall belongs not to her, but to the Canadians who pay for it.

She has moved award ceremonies out of Rideau Hall, and taken them to larger venues across the country to allow the friends and families of award recipients to attend the event.

She has shown a deep respect for the Canadian Armed Forces, spending Christmases and New Years with them in the field, and speaking eloquently at military memorials and ceremonies both in Canada and abroad.

But, does the media report even a tenth of all of this?

Nope. They focus on the cost. Certainly the budget has increased, but the media (and politicians who like the attention of the media) react as though all these things which improve and ennoble the office of Governor General should come for free. Beyond that, they twist the facts to make it seem as though Clarkson has a gold filled vault in the basement of Rideau Hall in which she swims like Scrooge McDuck every night.

Take the Circumpolar trip, which everyone loves to bring up. The media went on and on about this Clarkson inspired, Clarkson ordered, and Clarkson-friend populated 'junkett' which cost $5 million. Only months later was it grudgingly reported correctly that Chretien and the Department of Foreign Affairs asked Clarkson to head the trip, and funded it to boot! Clarkson, who, as GG should never have to publicly defend herself, came forward and explained that she knew but 5 of the people on the trip as a personal friend. But, by then, the damage was done.

Then there was the plane trips to the cottage. The newspapers and evening news screamed bloody murder at the outrage of Clarkson flying to her cottage in a luxurious jet with a chilled bottle of Veuve at her side. Nobody mentioned the GG is never 'on holiday' from the job-- even when she is at the cottage she is still the GG and may have to return to Ottawa in an emergency (ie, if the PM should die). It was, however, eventually revealed that the RCMP fly both our head of government (the PM) and our heads of state (the Queen and GG) in private planes for security reasons-- they can no longer fly commercially. It was said the GG's plane was a twin prop- not a jet. And it was also quietly mentioned that it was cheaper to take the GG on a secure 1 hr plane ride than to take her 6 hrs by car to her cottage (a small un-insulated building, without electricity and running water, by the way). But again, the true facts were played down, and by that point the damage was done.

Now it’s her visit to the impoverished East Side of Vancouver—a case where the media had their scandalous reports all ready to go the night before she even arrived! They ignored her break away from security and media to go and experience the neighbourhood for herself, and only the Globe and Mail printed a quote by Clarkson about the affair: “’It's a free country,’ she said, her smile intact. ‘I was a journalist for years and I was involved in lots of things, where people swung baseball bats and did all sorts of things, and I think people are legitimately concerned with poverty.

‘They're legitimately concerned with housing. They're legitimately concerned with their needs, and if it sometimes takes the form of this kind of anger, well so be it. That's the way it is. And that's what the whole thing means is that we should be basically looking at how to make a change that will reduce that anger.’

Words like that do not fit into the scandalous scene the media wished to create.

I'm not saying the woman or the office are without their faults. But the media's treatment of Clarkson since she became governor general has done nothing but reveal their greed-driven need to slander, and bring someone who works mostly for good and benefit down to a shameful end. Clarkson isn't the only one they've done this to, but in the past few years she has been the most prominent.

The even sadder result is that so many Canadians across the country now have zero respect for the governor general, and zero understanding of what the governor general is for. A number of posts in this thread, and elsewhere on this board, demonstrate this perfectly.

The media has misinformed and ill educated the people all in the name of making a buck off of invented scandal. It’s a sad and despicable affair.

[g_bambino]

I know she has almost no power but its a symbol.

The governor general holds very real power.

The Constitution of Canada vests the Crown with executive power. Through Letters Patent the Canadian monarch has allowed the governor general to exercise all the sovereign’s powers in Canada. Thus, the governor general holds the power, on behalf of the Queen, to call and dissolve parliament, appoint and dismiss prime ministers, call elections, is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and so on.

By convention the GG may normally exercise the executive powers on the advice of the prime minister, but this does not mean he or she must. There have been occasions in the past in Canada and Australia where the PM’s advice was not appropriate or would not resolve a crisis, and so the GG went against this advice.

Lets remplace her by someone elected

How do you suppose an elected Head of State will aid Canada?

someone who has nothing to do with monarcy, dictatorship and religious symbol

Where is the dictatorship? What religious symbol?

Also as a french quebecer, i dont want to be forced to pay tax $ to an english monarchy symbol.

The governor general ceased to be the representative of the British Crown in 1931 with the passing of the Statute of Westminster. Since then the governor general has been the representative of The Crown acting in its Canadian jurisdiction as the Crown of Canada. As long as Quebec remains in the Canadian federation you will not pay any taxes to the British Crown (there is no 'English' monarchy), only to the Canadian.

[maplesyrup]

g_bambino.....excellent posts. Thanks verry much for your imput.

I am fed up with the crap the CanWest Global spews out about Her Excellency Adrience Clarkson.

Reopening the Rideau Hall gates to the public certainly has impressed me.

I don't seem to remember such strong attacks, apart from the Quebec separatist yahoos, on previous GGs.

I am seriously wondering if there is some racism and sexism going on here.

[Bakunin]

The governor general holds very real power.

The Constitution of Canada vests the Crown with executive power. Through Letters Patent the Canadian monarch has allowed the governor general to exercise all the sovereign’s powers in Canada. Thus, the governor general holds the power, on behalf of the Queen, to call and dissolve parliament, appoint and dismiss prime ministers, call elections, is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and so on.

By convention the GG may normally exercise the executive powers on the advice of the prime minister, but this does not mean he or she must. There have been occasions in the past in Canada and Australia where the PM’s advice was not appropriate or would not resolve a crisis, and so the GG went against this advice.

Like you say she do what the prime minister tell her almost all the time. If she already refused to do what she was told well it never happend in my lifetime.

How do you suppose an elected Head of State will aid Canada?

Well im a democrate... i think we should elect people who has state responsibility.

Where is the dictatorship? What religious symbol?

Dont you know what a monarchy is ? Its a dictator called a "monarch" wich has the right to dictate because of its "royal blood", wich is religious bullshit.

The governor general ceased to be the representative of the British Crown in 1931 with the passing of the Statute of Westminster. Since then the governor general has been the representative of The Crown acting in its Canadian jurisdiction as the Crown of Canada. As long as Quebec remains in the Canadian federation you will not pay any taxes to the British Crown (there is no 'English' monarchy), only to the Canadian.

i think queen elizabeth is the queen of canada and we pay when she visit us, but thats not the point, i was talking about canadian english monarchy.

[August1991]

"Canadians" agree with you Bakunin. So do I.

Just about half (47%) of those surveyed said Canada should move to abolish its formal constitutional connection with the monarchy, while 44 percent said Canada should preserve this connection. These results are comparable to the 51 percent versus 42 percent margin for abolition recorded in January 1993 (in light of the margins of errors of the two polls).

Angus Reid Poll

I am seriously wondering if there is some racism and sexism going on here.

Jeanne Sauve, Ray Hnatyshyn and Ed Schreyer were all political hacks but didn't have any problem being GG.

Clarkson on the other hand is a CBC hack who is still promoting her dumb agenda. She's what Americans call a limousine Liberal. No class.

[maplesyrup]

It is not surprising to see poll results like that after the constant pounding the GG's position has taken in the media over the past few years.

Write some true stuff, some positive things, and those polls would turn around in a minute.

Angus Reid have already discredited themselves in the last federal election,and I don't know why anyone bothers to quote them anymore.

[g_bambino]

Maplesyrup-- thank you.

I'm not sure the media is driven by racism or sexism in regards to the Governor Genereal. Some media outlets may be, but I believe it is mostly driven by a co-operation between the government and the media.

The government doubly benefits.

Firstly because it takes the attention off of them. Notice how the circumpolar trip 'scandal' was all over the media around the same time AdScam was surfacing. The circus of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (where one Bloc MP felt it was appropriate to say the Governor General made him feel as if he were going to vomit), and the false accusations of money squandering by the GG, was a nice distraction from all the true Liberal financial mis-management which was then coming to light.

Secondly, the Liberals are notorious republicans, beginning with Trudeau and extending through to today. Anything they can do to diminish the presence and role of the Crown, they will do. I mean, why would Liberal politicians want the Canadian people to understand that the Constitution vests not transiant politicians with power, but the ever-present Crown? Liberal polititcians are the heroes-- there for the every-day Canadian. The Crown is a wasteful colonial left-over. Using the media to taint the Crown serves thier interests nicely.

And, of course, we all know the media wins by making money off of another 'scandal' which Canadians can bitch about over their morning coffee.

[g_bambino]

Like you say she do what the prime minister tell her almost all the time. If she already refused to do what she was told well it never happend in my lifetime.

It has not happened in Canada in my lifetime-- except for when Clarkson refused Martin's request that the swearing-in ceremony for the new Cabinet be held on Parliament Hill. But, that was not a political affair.

The two instances I know of were the King/Byng affair in Canada in 1926, and the Whitlam/Sir Kerr affair in Australia in 1975.

My point is, these powers are real. Just because they are not used often does not mean they do not exist and are not important. After all, I'm sure you rarely use your fire extinguisher, but it is very important you keep it there just in case.

Well im a democrate... i think we should elect people who has state responsibility.

I believe you're trying to say you're someone who believes in democracy.

Canada, as a constitutional monarchy, is a democracy. Nobody has ever said differently.

The election of a head of state is not what creates a democracy. For the most part, it is a country's constitution which makes a country democratic. Canada's constitution is democratic, and thereby Canada is a democracy.

Dont you know what a monarchy is ? Its a dictator called a "monarch" wich has the right to dictate because of its "royal blood", wich is religious bullshit.

Not true.

In a constitutional monarchy the monarch has no right to dictate. At their coronation they take an oath by which they swear to govern by the rules and laws of the country, just as Canadians do (implied at birth, or spoken verbally when becoming a citizen). So, Canadian monarchs are bound by the Constitution of Canada as much as Canadian citizens are.

This means that the sovereign will follow the advice of the people through their elected representatives. They will break with that convention only when the elected representatives are abusing the powers given to them by going against the constitution or democratic process.

And, the monarch is not given this 'right' simply because of their blood, or religion. The Queen of Canada is queen purely because our constitution says that the executive powers of Canada are vested in the Queen, and her heirs and successors. Who those heirs and successors are is laid out in the Act of Settlement, which is also part of Canadian constitutional law. So-- Canadian monarchs are only in that position because Canadian law says so.

think queen elizabeth is the queen of canada and we pay when she visit us, but thats not the point, i was talking about canadian english monarchy

She's Canada's sovereign. Of course we pay for her to travel as Queen of Canada, who else would?

The Canadian Crown is exactly that -- Canadian. It sees no difference between french-speaking or english-speaking Canadians, as they are all Canadian. So, as long as french-speaking Canadians remain in Canada, the Crown will be as much theirs as it is anglophones'.

[g_bambino]

It is not surprising to see poll results like that after the constant pounding the GG's position has taken in the media over the past few years.

Write some true stuff, some positive things, and those polls would turn around in a minute.

Angus Reid have already discredited themselves in the last federal election,and I don't know why anyone bothers to quote them anymore.

Maplesyrup-- you're absolutely right.

This is what I meant by the Liberals loving the media trashing of the Crown and governor general. It is a deliberate attempt to leave Canadians ignorant about the constitutional structure of their own country, and about the role of the Crown. Take that ignorance, add to it baseless scandalous accusations, and you construct a negative opinion of our constitutional monarchy.

Another point about the polls that August1991 brought up is the question asked.

Most of the polls on the monarhcy I have read asked if Canadians wished to end ties with the 'British monarhcy', or replace the Queen of Britain as Canada's head of state.

This shows a disgusting lack of knowledge on the part of the pollsters as they have completely misunderstood the constitutional structure of Canada, and its place within the Queen's Commonwealth. They seem to not know about the existence of the Statute of Westminster, or indeed about the Constitution Act itself! They then go out to ask an ill informed public to answer an ignorant question!

And we're supposed to take these polls as an accurate reading of the feelings of Canadians!?

[Bakunin]

My point is, these powers are real. Just because they are not used often does not mean they do not exist and are not important. After all, I'm sure you rarely use your fire extinguisher, but it is very important you keep it there just in case.

Or we could give her task to someone else elected...

Canada, as a constitutional monarchy, is a democracy. Nobody has ever said differently.

yeah this is a fact

In a constitutional monarchy the monarch has no right to dictate. At their coronation they take an oath by which they swear to govern by the rules and laws of the country, just as Canadians do (implied at birth, or spoken verbally when becoming a citizen). So, Canadian monarchs are bound by the Constitution of Canada as much as Canadian citizens are.

I never talked about constitutional monarchy you did.....

I just said earlyer that GG was a symbole of monarchy and i explained what a monarchy is. i never talked about constitutional monarchy.

And, the monarch is not given this 'right' simply because of their blood, or religion. The Queen of Canada is queen purely because our constitution says that the executive powers of Canada are vested in the Queen, and her heirs and successors. Who those heirs and successors are is laid out in the Act of Settlement, which is also part of Canadian constitutional law. So-- Canadian monarchs are only in that position because Canadian law says so.

You did not understand. Im talking about a king or a queen is not elected. It is "choosen", thats religious bullshit, at lest it was like that in french monarchy. I know that if elizabeth is queen of canada its because of law, but she was born a member of the royal family in england, else she would not be a queen.

The Canadian Crown is exactly that -- Canadian. It sees no difference between french-speaking or english-speaking Canadians, as they are all Canadian. So, as long as french-speaking Canadians remain in Canada, the Crown will be as much theirs as it is anglophones'.

Its part of the english canada heritage, a war imposed it to french canadian. i think it make a difference and we can see it in the poll august posted.

[Newfie Canadian]

I don't have a problem with the PM being the head of state. I don't see the need to separate hte head of state and the head of government.