22 January 2021

POSITION VACANT

GOVERNOR GENERAL of Canada. the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, to perform the various ceremonial duties the sovereign otherwise carries out when in the country.


Qualifications

"The patience of a saint, the smile of a cherub, the generosity of an Indian prince, and the back of a camel"
The Marquess of Lorne

"A representative of all that is august, stable, and sedate in the government, the history, and the traditions of the country; incapable of partizanship, and lifted far above the atmosphere of faction; without adherents to reward or opponents to oust from office; docile to the suggestions of his Ministers, and yet securing to the people the certainty of being able to get rid of an Administration or Parliament the moment either had forfeited their confidence."
The Earl of Dufferin

Is there somebody bilingual from the genealogical, or broader cultural community, somebody with feet planted firmly in Canada, who you would recommend to fill this prestigious role which comes with luxurious accommodations and generous remuneration?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Peter Milliken, former Speaker of the House of Commons. Active in genealogical community, current president of UELAC, stellar human being. Not sure if he would want the position, but what a wonderful GG he would be!

Glenn W said...

Peter Mansbridge -- he knows the country and the country knows him. He is well connected to both people and places, is well respected and has a real sense of what it means to be Canadian. He will be 73 this year, although age should be no barrier. I am not sure if he is bilingual; if not, this too shouldn't be an insurmountable obstacle to his appointment. He is accustomed to travel, is well versed on events at home and abroad, a great conversationalist and, like David Johnston before him, would look great in the role.

Carolyn Lumsden said...

I would second either of these gentlemen. Great choices in both.

Gail B said...

Jodie Wilson-Rabould or Jane Philpott. Neither have partisan affiliations and are hugely qualified.

Nah, I have a feeling the PM would not consider them to qualify.
Gail B

Barbara T said...

I would suggest Cindy Blackstock, though I'm not sure she would want to give up her advocacy on behalf of native children. But then maybe she wouldn't have to - in a sense it is part of the job. Peter Milliken is also a great suggestion but I'd like to see a native woman get the nod. We've had too many white men in the role already (not that they did a bad job; we just need a different perspective).