General governor of Canada

The General governor of the Canada (in English General Governor off Canada ) is the representative of the of the king or the queen of Canada. Since September 27th, 2005, this load is occupied by Its Excellence the Very Honourable Michaëlle Jean. 27e titular of this station, it thus succeeds Très Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. Moreover, Mrs. Jean is the third woman to be reached this function and the second not to be born in Canada.

Nomination

The sovereign appoints the general governor on opinion of the Prime Minister of Canada. Of 1867 with 1952, each general governor was native of Great Britain and member of the English aristocracy. The last general governor of British origin was Harold Alexander, 1 {{er}} Alexander Viscount of Tunis, which officiated of 1946 with 1952. Since the mandate of Vincent Massey, the station was only occupied by Canadians. Moreover, by tradition, this one is held alternatively by Canadian English and French Canadian. Since 1967, the Prime Minister communicates to the sovereign one name when it recommends a person for the function. Previously, a list of several names was provided, leaving to the monarch the care to choose. In general, the sovereign is held by the constitution always to follow the opinion of his Prime Ministers, so much and as a long time as those keep the confidence of the House of Commons and act in a constitutional way.

Although impartial during their mandate, the general governors were often former politicians. Since 1952, people having already occupied the posts of diplomat, member of the Cabinet or president of the House of Commons were named. The preceding general gouverneure, Adrienne Clarkson, was before auteure and journalist of television; it was the first general gouverneure in the Canadian history not to have of political or military past. It was also the second woman and the Asian first nobody of origin to occupy this station. The first woman general gouverneure of Canada was Jeanne Sauvé, whose mandate was exerted of 1984 with 1990.

It is of tradition that the designated person remains in station for a five years minimum, but in truth, this station is occupied according to “goodwill Its Majesty”, and Canadian the Prime Minister can ask the queen to prolong the mandate. Thus, the mandate of Adrienne Clarkson was prolonged one year by the Queen on the opinion of the Prime Minister Paul Martin, because this one believed preferable to keep an experienced general governor posts some as much as a Minority government was with the head of the country. In the past, the mandates of other general governors such those of Georges Basket maker and Roland Michener them were also prolonged.

Vacancy of the function

In the possibility where the General governor would die, would resign or be abroad for a period of more than one month, it returns to the Juge as a chief of Canada to act as an administrator of Canada and excercer thus all the capacities of the general governor. The only people to have endorsed this responsibility following the death for a general governor were the judges as a chief Lyman Poore Duff, succeeding Lord Tweedsmuir in 1940, and Robert Taschereau, succeeding Georges Vanier in 1967. Moreover, following the resignation of very honourable the Romeo Leblanc in 1999, the judge as a chief Antonio Lamer exerted the interim.

History

The French colonization of North America began in the years 1580 (the territory was discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1534), but the vast colony of the News-France (made up of Canada, the Louisiana and the Acadie) only grew during the beginning and the middle of the 17th century. The explorer Samuel de Champlain became the first nobody officially named at the station of governor of News-France. In the beginning, News-France was managed by the Compagnie of the Hundred-Associates; in 1663, however, the king Louis XIV took the control of the colony. After 1663, the person with the head of the French administration in News-France was known as a “general governor”; the first to occupy this function was Charles Jacques Huault de Montmagny.

France lost the majority of its North-American territories, Canada included, with the profit of Great Britain during the Guerre Seven Year old (1756 - 1763), loss confirmed by the treated of Paris. The royal Proclamation of 1763 changed the name of Canada into “Province off Quebec” and post it of governor of Quebec was consequently created occasion. The lieutenant-general Sir Jeffrey Amherst controlled the province during the last years of the Seven Year old war, but the first civilian to occupy this function was James Murray (named in 1764). The provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick remained separate, each one with its own governor. In the years 1780, the British government directed by the Prime Minister William Pitt accepted the idea that the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick should divide one governor-in-chief (called general governor later). The first nobody to occupy this station was Lord Dorchester (named in 1786). The general governor, or governor-in-chief, controlled however only the province of the Low-Canada; the High-Canada, New Brunswick and the Scotland News in fact were managed by their own respective lieutenant-governors. In 1840, the Top and Low-Canada were joined together to create the Province of Canada, which remained under the direct authority of the general governor.

The role of the general governor enormously evolved/moved the shortly after the Rébellions of 1837. Indeed, shortly after these rebellions, the British government agree to grant to the Canadian provinces the statute of responsible Gouvernement. That caused to return the general governor and the lieutenant-governors of the governors of name only, the authority in fact being held by the democratically elected legislatures and provincial the Prime Ministers. This distribution of the roles perduré after the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867: the general governor and the lieutenant-governors are remained the representatives symbolic systems of the crown and the British government, whereas the real capacity was in the hands of the Prime Minister of Canada and its provincial counterparts.

The function of general governor knew great changes during the end of the year 1920 and the beginning of the following decade, the shortly after the Affaire King-Byng. In 1926, liberal the Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King required of the general governor Lord Byng de Vimy to dissolve the Parliament; this one, however, used its To be able of reserve to refuse this request, alleging that general elections had been held only a few months earlier. King thus gave its resignation, and Lord Byng named Arthur Meighen to replace it with the head of the government. In one week however, the preserving government of Meighen lost a Vote of not-confidence to the House of Commons, forcing the general governor to dissolve the Parliament and to start the elections. Mackenzie King was elected with a clear majority and returned with the firm intention to redefine the role of the general governor.

At the time of a imperial Conference held later in 1926, the United Kingdom, Canada and the other dominions accepted all the declaration Balfour. This one recognized that each dominion was the equal one of the United Kingdom, and that each general governor would act from now on in his dominion only as a representative of the Crown and not as a British government official. This last role was to rather now belong to the High-Commissioners, equivalents of the ambassadors. The principle of equality between the dominions was developed front by the Statut of Westminster in 1931. One gave up the concept of a great empire whose territories belonged to the British crown; each dominion was a kingdom with whole share and the sovereign became thus king of the United Kingdom, king of Canada, king d' Australie, etc Même if the dominion of Canada were now recognized like independent and the equal one of the United Kingdom, the responsibilities for general governor traditionally continued to be entrusted to British, and not to Canadians. Name “dominion” is not used any more today, because it would imply that the British government would have a form of authority on Canada, which is not the case. The first general governor of Canadian nationality, Vincent Massey, was named only in 1952.

Other material changes were brought to this function during the mandate of Roland Michener (1967 - 1974). Michener softened the protocols and the formalities surrounding the station; for example, the antique habit to incline itself in front of the general governor was abandoned. Michener preserved the traditional military uniform associated with its office, but he was the last general governor to do it. In 1971, Michener visited Trinity-and-Tobago, becoming thus the first general governor to make a visit of State in another country. This visit was initially the source of controversies, because several supported that the sovereign, and not the general governor, were technically the Head of the Canadian State. But the controversy did not last a long time; the weather is now very common for a general governor to be visits of State.

The function of general governor occasionally was a subject of controversies in Canada. The organization Citizens and citizens for a Canadian republic militates for a coding of the station, for what this organization sees like a possible transformation towards a presidential system similar to the India or Irish Republics, replacing thus completely monarchy. On another side, organizations as the Ligue monarchist of Canada are favorable to the maintenance of the role of general governor as a representative of the reigning monarch. Since the failure of the Agreement of the Lake Meech in 1987 and Agreement of Charlottetown in 1992, the Canadian politicians was reticent to again open the discussion on the constitutional question, especially about a subject as polarized as monarchy. There were few debates on a possible abolition of monarchy, mainly because many Canadians consider that the bearing conflict on the Québécois sovereignty is more urgent. Thus, the republican movement in Canada is not as strong as similar movements appeared in other kingdoms of the Commonwealth such as the Australia.

Governmental role

The general governor is the representative of the Canadian monarch and exerts to it quasi totality of the capacities of the Crown. The sovereign preserves the executive powers and his royal Prérogatives, but it extremely seldom intervenes in the Canadian policy; the majority of its responsibilities are exerted by the general governor. However, only has the capacity to him to name the general governors and, as required by the Canadian Constitution, to add seats to the senate. It acts however only on the opinion of Canadian the Prime Minister.

In spite of the fact that the monarch of the the United Kingdom is also monarch of Canada, the British government cannot advise the general governor or interfere in the businesses of Canada, this country being a sovereign nation.

See also: Monarchy in Canada

Although the capacities which the general governor has are in theory considerable, they in practice are very limited. The general governor is a executive symbolic system and nominal chief, acting according to the constraints of the constitution and precedents. In practice, the large majority of the political power is between the hands of the Canadian Parliament (compound of the Couronne, the Sénat and the House of Commons), and of the Prime Minister as well as sound cabinet. Thus, the general governor almost always exerts the royal prerogatives on the opinion of the Prime Minister and other ministers, who in their turn, are responsible vis-a-vis a democratically elected House of Commons, and through this one, vis-a-vis the people. But, part of the royal prerogatives, called Capacities of reserve, remains between the hands of the Crown, as a last control of the governmental capacity; as the constitutional expert and senator Eugene Forsey said it: “ has Governor General must take all steps necessary to thwart the will off has ruthless premium minister . (A general governor must take all the necessary measures to thwart the desires of a Prime Minister without remorse)”. This capacity was used by the general governor Lord Byng against the Prime Minister Mackenzie King in what one called the Affaire King-Byng, in 1926. Some, as Larry Zolf of CBC also speculated in the possibility that the general gouverneure Adrienne Clarkson refuses the recommendation of the Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to dissolve the Parliament in 2002.

All the laws are enacted in the name of the sovereign. Before a bill is adopted, the royal sanction is necessary. On this occasion, the general governor acts in the name of the sovereign; in theory, it or it has three options: to grant the royal sanction and thus to approve the law, to refuse the sanction while bringing its veto, or to emit a right of reserve on the bill so that the sanction is personally granted or refused by the sovereign. If the general governor grants the royal sanction, the monarch is two years old “to reject” the bill, thus cancelling the law in question. No general governor refused to grant the royal sanction since the confederation, but certain lieutenant-governors did it.

The general governor convenes, extends, and dissolves the Parliament. Each parliamentary session starts with the reprimand of the general governor. A new session is characterized by the opening of the Parliament, during which the general governor reads the Speech from the throne since the Senate, thus giving the broad outlines of the legislative diary of the government for the year to come. The extension of the Parliament occurs usually approximately a year after the opening of a session, and adjourns officially the meetings. The dissolution, of which the duration of the installation can vary according to various factors, puts an end to a parliamentary mandate (this one cannot exceed five years). General elections for all the seats of the House of Commons are followed then from there. A general governor could theoretically refuse a dissolution, but the circumstances which would allow it to him are vague. A refusal could be justified if a minority government were in function very briefly and that another party seemed to be able to succeed in obtaining the confidence of the Room. The last time that a general governor refused to dissolve the Parliament, it was during the above-mentioned King-Byng business.

When that is necessary, the general governor is responsible for the nomination of a new Prime Minister. In agreement with the constitutional Convention (not-written), it must choose the person who has the most probabilities of preserving the support of the majority of the House of Commons: generally the chief of the majority party to the Room. If no party has majority, two groups or more can form a coalition, whose in-house appointed chief is then named Prime Minister. Such coalition governments are rare in Canada. When no party or coalition has majority inside the Parliament, convention requires of the general governor that it name the person being likely the most to obtain the support of the House of Commons: generally, but not necessarily, the chief of the party which occupies the most seats. Thus, for example, Paul Martin remained Prime Minister more than one year after the election of 2004 while at the same time its party the majority did not have. In certain contexts, the general governor will have to use his judgment to determine the person most appropriate to becoming Prime Minister.

The general governor has also the capacity to name the federal ministers, the senators, the judges and other civils servant. In the facts, however, the interested parties are chosen by the Prime Minister or other ministers. Moreover, the general governor with the responsibility to name, in the name of the sovereign, the lieutenant-governors in the provinces. In this case also, they are the Prime Ministers (federal and provincial), who make the choice. A lieutenant-governor can, rather than to grant the royal sanction to a provincial bill, to emit a right of reserve and to leave the decision to the general governor. This practice fell however in disuse and was used for the last time by the lieutenant-governor of the Saskatchewan in 1961. The Commissaire S of the Canadian territories are not named by the general governor; they do not act either as representatives of the Crown.

Ceremonial role

The functions of the general governor are mainly cérémoniales. As a representative of the sovereign, it achieves certain functions usually associated with those with a Head of State. It or it makes visits of State abroad, receives foreign Heads of State in Canada, receives the Ambassadeur S and the High-Commissioners, meets cérémonials groups, gives of honorary decorations and the prices. Moreover, one recent tradition wants that each outgoing general governor creates a trophy or a price (generally in the sport) bearing his name.

It or it occupies the symbolic system role of commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces. The allegiance of the members of the Armed forces is due to monarchy Canadian, and not to a government in exercise, temporary and changing. In practice, it is not obvious to know if the commander of the Armed forces could, in reality, to turn to the general governor if it thought that the received orders of the Prime Minister or the Minister for National defense were illegal or without ethics, nor if the general governor could give new orders directly.

The general governor is also the colonel of three Canadian regiments: the General Governor' S Horse Guard , the General Governor' S Foot Guards and the Canadian Pomegranate Guards . The rank of colonel is located directly under that of colonel as a chief, title intended for the sovereign.

Previously, the letters of accreditation (presented by ambassadors or High-Commissioners arriving or leaving their station in Canada) were addressed to the Queen; since beginning 2005, however, they are directly addressed to the general governor, without reference to the sovereign. This decision because some controversies, raising angers of certain monarchists.

Precedence and privileges

According to the Order of precedence, at the time of an official event, the general governor precedes all the guests, except the sovereign. As a direct representative of the monarch, the general governor has even precedence of other members of the royal family.

Throughout his mandate, the general governor as his spouse (E) receive the treatment “His Excellence”. Moreover, the general governors leaving are named with the private Conseil of the Queen for Canada, and are entitled to the Honourable title of “Très” with life; the term “Its Excellence” is however withdrawn when they leave their function. The general governor and his spouse are the only Canadians having the privilege to receive the treatment “His Excellence” with the country. Throughout all his mandate, the general governor is also the chancellor and principal companion of the Ordre of Canada, the chancellor of the military Order of Merit and the chancellor of the Order of Merit of the police force and the very worthy Ordre of Midsummer's Day of Jerusalem. Thus, it is authorized to carry the medals and badges of these kinds. During its nomination, he sees himself presenting the collars about Canada, the military merit, the merit of the heraldic Authority and police force, also.

The flag of the general governor with precedence of all the other flags and standard, except of the personal standard of the queen in Canada. This étandard is raised on the vehicle used by the general governor and on the building in which it is or resides. However at the time of official visits abroad, the general governor uses the national flag, symbol more representative and recognized of Canada.

The viceregal hello is the Hymne used to accommodate the general governor. It is composed of the first six measurements of the Canadian royal anthem ( God Save The Queen ) and of the four first and four last measurements of the Canadian national anthem ( O Canada ). Abroad, only the O Canada is used.

The general governor perceives an annual salary of: 110126 $. He has two official residences: Rideau Hall with Ottawa, Ontario (his wife bears the name lady of the manor of Rideau Hall), and the Citadelle in Quebec, where the couple spends each year several weeks.

Until during the Second world war and before being built-in at the offices of the Prime Minister, the general governor as his personnel profited from offices on the Colline of the Parliament in the wing Is. When the offices of the Prime Minister were moved in the building Langevin in the years 1970 S, the old buildings which habritaient the offices of the general governor were restored to return their appearance of the 19th century to them. They represent today a tourist attraction at the time of the visit on the parliamentary Hill in Ottawa.

The personnel of the general governor is directed by the Secrétaire of the general governor of Canada, working out of Rideau Hall.

Post-mandate activities

The governor generals with the retirement generally withdraw public life or accept diplomatic stations. Edward Schreyer, in mandate of 1979 with 1984, became High-Commissioner in Australia with his retirement. In 2005, he became the first former general governor to aspire to a station of deputy to the House of Commons when he presented himself as a candidate of NPD in the district of Selkirk-Interlake. Schreyer lost vis-a-vis the conservative James Bezan.

The history of the British general governors counts several examples of former viceroys returning to a political career in Great Britain after their mandate. In 1952, Lord Alexander of Tunis resigned of its mandate of general governor to accept the post of minister of the Defense of Winston Churchill. Lord Lansdowne and the Duc of Devonshire also became members of the British government after their viceregal careers. Lansdowne itself was during more than ten years the chief of the Conservative party to the House of Lords in London.

Books written by former general governors

Only three former Canadian general governors left an autobiography. John Buchan was the first with Memory Hold-tea-Door , written during its mandate at Rideau Hall and published in 1940. Vincent Massey was the second, with his biography in two volumes, One Being Canadian published in 1948 and What' S Past is Prolog: The Memoirs off the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, C.H. in 1963. Shortly after its departure of Rideau Hall, Adrienne Clarkson signed a contract of two books with Penguin Canada, the first heading Heart Matters .

External bonds

Maple Leaf Web: The Governor General off Canada
Official site

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