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Governor General Returns to Canada Due to Political Crisis

by Jarrett Martineau | December 2, 2008 at 08:42 am

419 views | 29 Recommendations | 8 comments

Canada's Governor General doesn't generally have much to do — at least, that's how it appears to the many Canadians who do not fully understand the role.

The symbolic role of the GG appears to consist of little more than attending fancy photo-ops, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and making elaborately mundane, state-sponsored visits to other nations on behalf of Canada and, vicariously, the Queen.

In a time of domestic political turmoil, then, it is fascinating to discover that, in this lone instance, the Governor General is in a position of actual political power — as the GG must decide whether to call an election if the current Conservative government loses next Monday's vote of confidence.

Is the current Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean up to the challenge? What do you think she should decide?

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean is returning home early from a state visit to Europe to deal with the upheaval on Parliament Hill, where she could decide the fate of the government in the next week.

She was originally scheduled to wrap up a two-week visit to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary on Saturday, but will now return to Ottawa three days early on Wednesday.

"I have decided to return to Canada and I'll leave tomorrow," Jean told CBC News Tuesday in Prague.

"The role of the Governor General is to ensure that our governance is on the right path, so as soon as I'm back I will fulfill my duties in total sound judgment."

Though the position of governor general is largely ceremonial, representing the British head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, it also comes with some extraordinary powers.

In the current case, Jean must decide whether to call an election should the Conservatives lose next Monday's vote of confidence, allow the proposed Liberal-NDP coalition to govern or allow the Harper government to suspend the current parliamentary session to avoid a political showdown.

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Paschen

at 08:55 on December 2nd, 2008

Thank you for the post Jarrett.

It is in deed a crisis, Hopefully though the outcome will be to the benefit of all Canadian.

Barbara McPherson

at 09:24 on December 2nd, 2008

I don't know what to say about these events. All the leaders need to be chastised for their game playing while we're facing economic problems.

Lois Gordon (not verified)

at 10:30 on December 2nd, 2008

All the leaders should be ashamed of their lack of concern for their country and their total consideration for themself only. Although, the NDP and Liberal leaders not only show unconcern, but also lack of wisdom. They have not considered that they are being dangled by the "*&(^^$&^' by the Bloc and Doucette. He is the only Canadian that stands to gain from this coalition. He is honest and says it the way it is....he is there for Quebec only!

Lois Gordon (not verified)

at 10:27 on December 2nd, 2008

Hopefully the Governor General will be given enough wisdom to recognise that the coalition proposed at present is not democratic and will tell them to take a hike. The unrest with this proposal has the Western Provinces threatening to separate and until now, we have been fairly stable mentally. I feel separation is not a mentally wise move, but the anger with the audacity and arrogance of the NDPS and Liberals in this is understandably ignited. Those two parties have been duped by the Bloc...they are being held by the *&^^$^& by Doucette. He definately is the brain in the works. He is the only one who stands to benefit. No Canadian, and no NDP or Liberal leader will benefit from this. It is a shame that those two parties have exposed their lack of reasoning and wisdom publically, but it is too late now....they are seen for what they are!

Paschen

at 10:45 on December 2nd, 2008

I do not follow you, what is not democratic if the majority does unit to form a government against the minority?

Now, one may not agree nor support this, just like one may agree and support it, however it is democratic.

Where is that not democratic? Unless the definition of democracy has been changed recently however I have not heard off any changes to the definition of democracy Lois Gordon not verified, Have you?

Lee Lecu

at 10:28 on December 2nd, 2008

I am with you there Barbara- it seems to me Dion wants to speed up the Auto Workers getting a bailout when all industries in this country need to be fairly evaluated.

Iffy (not verified)

at 12:57 on December 2nd, 2008

Canada is not a real country, just an immigration processing centre. It will break apart because there is no pride or will amongst the now-dominant immigration block in the country.

kartoon

at 16:02 on December 2nd, 2008

I am hopeful that the GG would decline to prorogue the House if requested to do so by Harper. Its a gray area to be sure with no active precedents but the written offer of another government in waiting will surely play into the decision. But proroguing simply delays the inevitable and would look like a cowardly refusal to face the House and the bitter medicine it must now administer.

I am just concerned that Harper might then turn around and fire the GG if the decision is about to go against him. Apparently this once almost happened in Australia about 30 years ago.

All going well, we will have the non-confidence motion passed next Monday night and have a new government shortly thereafter. This is what I hope will happen but a lot depends on how much backbone Ms. Jean is prepared to employ. But whatever happens, the transparently bullying behaviour of Mr. Harper has likely ended his political career for all intents and purposes. Its difficult to see how he could come out of this as anything but a disgraced loser. But Ms. Jean.... she can achieve a place in the history books of parliamentary democracies is she plays it well.