Comments on: Governor General speculation!

By: gladaman

gladaman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:35:26 +0000

I like Lewis MacKenzie.

By: gladaman

gladaman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:29:42 +0000

Yes, Preston Manning would probably be a classy Governor-General. His term in Rideau Hall would be very 'presidential”. My understanding is that he, like Harper is a republican. How can a republican be a good representative of the monarch? They are always trying to out shine Her Majesty & keep refering to themselves as the Head of State.

By: gladaman

gladaman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:13:37 +0000

Canada's monarchy is different from that of the UK. The Queen's role in Britain is heavily based on traditions & not defined in a constitution. Her position has largely been propped up by a privileged upper class who need her less & less each generation. These things are not necessarily true in a Canadian context. Also, we have had the different roles of government clearly laid out in the BNA (essentially our constitution before patriation) since 1867. Mackenzie King's actions, not unlike Harper's are not in the interest of democracy and Lord Byng & Madame Jean were right to challenge them. A Canadian monarch need not be afraid to direct His/Her office to explain to Canadians why their interventions where in defence of our constitution and collective rights. A foreign representative of a foreign monarch is too shy to make such pronouncements. If we had a resident monarch, I believe Canadians would accept that monarch's participation in Canadian affairs. His/Her role in Canadian society, like the Netherlands, Sweden or Spain would reflect Canadian needs and sensabilities.
As a first step to addressing this foreignness of our Head of State, I recommend Prince Andrew to the position of Governor-General of Canada. After we have had a highly placed member of our royal family present in Canada for 5 years, lets see how respected our Governor-General is and what people think of having our own monarch, resident in Canada.

By: gladaman

gladaman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:35:26 +0000

I like Lewis MacKenzie.

By: gladaman

gladaman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:29:42 +0000

By: gladaman

gladaman — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:13:37 +0000

By: Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:19:06 +0000

Even in the UK the Queen is not an effective check on their government.

By: Rob Wolvin

Rob Wolvin — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:11:41 +0000

I have seen so many 'great canadians' & deserving representatives of minorities proposed all over facebook & the web. I want a Governor-General who doesn't just rubber stamp the requests of the Prime Minister. I'm tired of the continued concentration of power in a PMO populated by shady political operatives. Our constitution was designed the way it is to create checks & balances on offices of power. How can the Prime Minister's power ever be checked if the credibility of the crown is continually undermined to the point of irrelevance. Can't Canadians see what successive Prime Ministers are getting away with? The crown is not just some tired leftover from colonialism, loved only by anglophiles who pine for the days of empire. The type of monarchy we have was invented by the Fathers of Confederation, many of whom where French Canadian because it suited the needs of our new country. Lets discuss why we have institutions, like the crown. If the crown isn't serving it's original purpose. Lets find out why & try to reform the institution before discarding it. One problem. We aren't British and our sovereign is. Lets get our own royal, resident & active in Canada. I recommend the appointment of Prince Andrew! A royal would be known to everyone, unlike some on this list and would be a constant reminder of the fact that a Governor-General is the stand-in for our actual Head of State, The Queen and not just a plumb to be handed out to a lackey, political has-been or even a representative of a miniority who's time in the sun has come.

By: Switchyard O'Taylor

Switchyard O'Taylor — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:27:50 +0000

You are wrong. He was the best.

He scored 92 goals in one season.

By: LindaL

LindaL — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:18:30 +0000

“I'd love to see Preston Manning, but the left would have a shit fit with that one.”

I do like Manning as a choice. Sure the left would not go for this initially, but Preston Manning is a statesman at this point, with a great deal of integrity, and a wonderful knowledge about politics and the country. He deserves it! Fair minded people would recognize this, and after a short while I think even those on the left might stop demonizing Preston and the Reform Party. Don't forget, Jean was also a controversial appointment — and she seems to have overcome the misgivings that many had about her initially.