tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post114047191924623764..comments2023-10-22T09:18:16.885-04:00Comments on Far and Wide: Axe The Governor-GeneralSteve Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140700173876407402006-02-23T08:09:00.000-05:002006-02-23T08:09:00.000-05:00I'm also not willing to let the GG position go. As...I'm also not willing to let the GG position go. As Mark D notes, she takes the load off the prime minister by attending functions as Canada's head of state that the prime minister doesn't need to attend. Many of the connections we make with other countries are ceremonial connections, where policy isn't discussed.<BR/><BR/>The GG position is also quite important during minority governments, as she is the point of stability in this parliament. Should Harper fall on his throne speech, it will be up to her to decide whether Canadians go to the polls really early, or if Bill Graham gets a crack at forming a coalition. During elections, she's the one nominally in charge while the PM and the other parliamentarians duke it out.<BR/><BR/>Maybe we should roll the GG's duties in with that of the Speaker of the House, and stop pulling an MP's vote out of contention -- although the fact that the Speaker DOES vote in the event of a tie could cause problems. We'd have to be firm on the nature of the GG/Speaker's vote in these situations (during first and second readings, vote for the bill to prolong discussion; during third reading, vote against the bill to preserve the status quo).James Bowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11888307747088266395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140548489008269062006-02-21T14:01:00.000-05:002006-02-21T14:01:00.000-05:00markI think Canada's ambassadors should go to "sta...mark<BR/><BR/>I think Canada's ambassadors should go to "state occasions" abroad. Given that the GG is supposedly apolitical, she can't practically speak to issues that would arise with other leaders. The GG is not a credible representative to speak for Canada.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140546115916325962006-02-21T13:21:00.000-05:002006-02-21T13:21:00.000-05:00You can throw out the ceremonial bathwater without...You can throw out the ceremonial bathwater without the constitutional baby. A GG is handy to go to all sorts of "state occasions" abroad which would otherwise require the PM to represent Canada for the sake of diplomatic form. Similarly with stuff like ambassadors. The other handy thing about the GG is that they can visit and meet with all sorts of "marginalised" groups but it doesn't create any political/financial liability to do so.Mark Dowlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01399115211805036553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140478949249999302006-02-20T18:42:00.000-05:002006-02-20T18:42:00.000-05:00"Can someone please tell me why we need to keep th..."Can someone please tell me why we need to keep the Governor General?"<BR/><BR/>If we get rid of her the fine china and silverware industries will suffer irreparable harm. Its for the good of the economy really, consider it a reinvestment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140477603757441352006-02-20T18:20:00.000-05:002006-02-20T18:20:00.000-05:00leptOr maybe they could pay for their representati...lept<BR/><BR/>Or maybe they could pay for their representative.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-1140473987537696052006-02-20T17:19:00.000-05:002006-02-20T17:19:00.000-05:00In order to get rid of the position would we not h...In order to get rid of the position would we not have to dump the Windsors first?<BR/>Now that'd make sense...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com