1. Have the Monarch once again appoint the GG and do so via members of her immediate family - e.g. the Prince of Wales; his brother Andrew etc etc. Or,
2. Discard the GG's office altogether and have the Queen or King directly liaise with the Government.
I see some merit in the first suggestion but do not see it being a viable solution for a number of reasons, including:
- Family of the Monarch is not the Monarch itself. And, to have the existing Canadian appointment process replaced by Brits - other than the Monarch him or herself - would not be supported by Quebecers nor by our so called left-wing elite. Even, I, on the right, would ultimately have trouble with it.
With respect to Andrew's second suggestion - I like it. Doesn't mean though it will ever happen.
- The current system is dysfunctional. Currently you have Canadians playing 'Queen for the Day' when all they are in fact doing is usurping the power of both our Prime Minister and the ruling Monarch. In the recent Prorogation Crisis did Madame Jean even consult with Queen Elizabeth? As her Representative she most certainly should have. And if she did, was the decision arrived at - her decision or the Queen's decision - the latter being the appropriate one.
- With current communications, the GG position as a intermediary is no longer needed. The PM can pick-up the telephone and speak with Her Majesty irrespective of where either of them may be in the world. They can even use Video Conferencing if they wish.
- Simply stated, the King or Queen of Canada no longer needs a representative in their ever less 'far flung empires'.
I think this second suggestion has the potential of breathing more life into a splendid and very worthwhile tradition. The Monarch would though have to become more visible here in Canada and his or her role as the Head of the Anglican Church would have to come to an end for obvious reasons.
Okay, that said, I am not confident that this important Institution will last given the opposition of so many Canadians and given the apathy of so many others.
I have stated my reasons why I think we desperately need to keep the Monarchy but there is one final one that I have yet to touch on.
In recent decades Canada has opened its borders to millions from around the world - with different cultures, different languages, different religions etc. This has been a welcomed development because Canada desperately needs immigration given our aging population. But one negative side effect is that it has resulted in less and less commonality with fewer and fewer symbols to help keep us together as a Nation.
The Monarchy is one of those Institutions that has been tested by the sands of time and accordingly gives us all something to be proud of and to respect.
As I see it...
"Galagher"
