Interesting idea on CBC's "At Issue" panel tonight - don't appoint another GG, and just let the institution die out. But then Andrew Coyne suggested that one of the Royals take up residence in Canada and raise a family here - in effect, be King of Canada. The Montreal correspondent reacted with horror at that absurd suggestion, thank goodness.
The Governor-General must go!
Thu, 2009-11-12 23:43
#102
Boom Boom
Thu, 2009-11-12 23:45
#103
Maybe we should do that with the entire country, let it die and the start over.
From the ashes, new countries and city-states could rise.
Thu, 2009-11-12 23:47
#104
Double post.
Fri, 2009-11-13 00:30
#105
Of the top ten changes I would like to see in Canada, those requiring constitutional amendments rank down off the radar.
Of the top ten constitutional changes I would like to see in Canada, those requiring unanimous consent of all ten provinces rank down off the radar.
Of the top ten constitutional changes requiring unanimous consent of all ten provinces I would like to see in Canada, abolishing the monarchy ranks down off the radar.
Fri, 2009-11-13 01:47
#106
Maybe we should do that with the entire country, let it die and the start over.
From the ashes, new countries and city-states could rise.
If you would like some historical precedents as to what that might be like, look at the Holy Roman Empire - what later (roughly) became the German Empire and then Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then the Balkan states it was broken into after WW 1 and then post Tito Yugoslavia.
The problem with these scenarios is that large and predatory states often enter the picture and start running the show to their own advantage. A good example would be China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Fri, 2009-11-13 09:21
#107
Boom Boom
The problem with these scenarios is that large and predatory states often enter the picture and start running the show to their own advantage. A good example would be China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
And that hulking empire to the south of us would probably love to add a few more stars to their flag. A good reason to try and keep this country together.
Fri, 2009-11-13 09:37
#108
Of the top ten changes I would like to see in Canada, those requiring constitutional amendments rank down off the radar.
Of the top ten constitutional changes I would like to see in Canada, those requiring unanimous consent of all ten provinces rank down off the radar.
Of the top ten constitutional changes requiring unanimous consent of all ten provinces I would like to see in Canada, abolishing the monarchy ranks down off the radar.
I'm pretty much in agreement with all that, Wilf. We could make Canada a light unto the nations (if we wanted to) long before we needed to touch the constitution.
That's actually why I opened this thread - not to abolish the job, but because Canadians do have the right to speak out if they think a public official is doing something bad. This thread has nothing to do with the institution of G-G. Michaelle Jean should be condemned for her militarism, which mirrors that of Harper, whom she clearly views as her Boss. Her term is coming up next year, and it should not be renewed.
Fire Jean!
Fri, 2009-11-13 09:51
#109
Boom Boom
Michaelle Jean should be condemned for her militarism, which mirrors that of Harper, whom she clearly views as her Boss.
That's probably why Harper will re-appoint her, unless he already has someone in mind (very likely).
Fri, 2009-11-13 09:53
#110
I like the idea of "sunset clausing" the position of Governor General.
Fri, 2009-11-13 10:48
#111
remind
Interesting idea on CBC's "At Issue" panel tonight - don't appoint another GG, and just let the institution die out. But then Andrew Coyne suggested that one of the Royals take up residence in Canada and raise a family here - in effect, be King of Canada. The Montreal correspondent reacted with horror at that absurd suggestion, thank goodness.
Really, that image made me feel sick to my stomach....
Fri, 2009-11-13 11:41
#112
Boom Boom
Yeah, Andrew Coyne was out to lunch on that one.
Fri, 2009-11-13 11:42
#113
That of course would be one sure road to a Canadian republic.
Fri, 2009-11-13 12:01
#114
Ever since Bruce Coburn got his much sought after rocket launcher, my world has been shattered :(
Fri, 2009-11-13 12:12
#115
"Interesting idea on CBC's "At Issue" panel tonight - don't appoint another GG, and just let the institution die out."
I really don't see how that could work. If the post of GG were left vacant, then who would dissolve parliament? Who would give royal assent to bills? If we had a PM wanting to prorogue parliament for years on end - who would say "no" (or Yes as the case may be). What if after the next election the Tories have the most seats but the Liberals and NDP have a majority between them and want to govern together - who decides whether to invite the opposition to govern or dissolves parliament again??
Its very easy to say get rid of the GG, but what is the substitute?
Here is one solution, I think MIGHT work. Keep the office of GG, but create a process for choosing the GG that takes it out of the hands of the PM and ensures that the person chosen represents more of a consensus. Why not let Parliament choose the GG, but say that the winning candidate has to have some sort of a super-majority (ie: 2/3 vote) so that anyone who gets the job more or less needs to be backed by all or most of the parties - and maybe let people declare their candidacies (like the way the speaker is chosen).
Fri, 2009-11-13 14:40
#116
If you would like some historical precedents as to what that might be like, look at the Holy Roman Empire - what later (roughly) became the German Empire and then Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then the Balkan states it was broken into after WW 1 and then post Tito Yugoslavia.
The problem with these scenarios is that large and predatory states often enter the picture and start running the show to their own advantage. A good example would be China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
I believe the people should decide their own fates. Let these new countries exist in whatever form the people decide.
If small tribes of like minded people are the result let them be.
The Holy Roman Empire was so fractured; it was only an Empire in name only. Local regions decided their own fate, while they had common ties to the Emperor, they did not always respond to him.
Fri, 2009-11-13 15:49
#117
remind
Let these new countries exist in whatever form the people decide.If small tribes of like minded people are the result let them be.
Perhaps when all are equal that type of egalitarian existence would be possible.
Fri, 2009-11-13 18:16
#118
The question is how to get to that point?
Fri, 2009-11-13 18:24
#119
remind
get rid of the notions of elitism
Fri, 2009-11-13 19:10
#120
In my view, politics is the most dangerous form of elitism.
We see it everywhere, everyday, my ideology is better than theirs.
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