Musings —04.13.2016 06:59 PM
—You have one job, Governor-General
To be seen and not heard. That’s it.
I admire this man. But he is the Governor General and he should NEVER comment on politics. Ever. Huge mistake. https://t.co/t0IQL3waPF
— Warren Kinsella (@kinsellawarren) April 13, 2016
Is David Johnston a Liberal?
He’s Canada’s head of state. What’s your problem with his comments?
No one voted for him, and he is pronouncing on matters properly decided by democratic process?
Funny, that is exactly what I think about the Supreme Court and the Senate – nobody voted for them and they do far more than just pronounce on matters properly decided by the democratic process.
Right on Warren. He is the queen in Canada. He’s supposed to be above politics. Good on you for pointing this out.
Today, one of my professors (who also happens to be a retired judge and former legal advisor to the President) talked about duty, honour and the law. For those who have sworn an oath, we have a duty to the law; to honour it and to respect it. As Governor-General, his role and responsibility is not political; while he may not have explicitly broken the law (that is for a Canadian constitutional expert to examine), he certainly did not do any service to the law, to his position, and to the people of Canada.
We can jump on a bandwagon and say things that will make other people happy, but if we cannot do that with honour, then it makes everything diluted.
Nope, completely disagree with your characterization of this GG.
He wasn’t commenting on politics; he commenting on the state of the social environment at a particular point in time. He spoke of what are fundamentally Canadian values and how they should be projected within the context of a public discussion. He is not wrong in saying that the discussion around refugees and the Niqab teetered on the edge of anti-Canadian rhetoric.
Yes, he is the Queen’s representative and as such should refrain from meddling in the affairs of her Majesty’s government, but that does not prohibit him from being a contributor to the Canadian dialogue. Don’t confuse his attentiveness with activism. As the Monarchy’s head of state, he is fully within his rights to use his resources to elevate the narrative.
By the way, when he says “Canadians showed who we really are” in terms of refugees, I believe he was referring to the initiative families, community groups and Churches across Canada have taken in this matter.
You’re reading too much into his comments. Lets try not to find so many reasons to be outraged and appreciate the positive message the GG is conveying
Sorry, but if you’re getting into a discussion of what is a “fundamentally Canadian value” vs. “anti-Canadian rhetoric”, you ARE talking politics.
Depends on what you define as acceptable fodder for discourse in the context of politics, actually.
If fundamental Canadian values are challenged by anti-Canadian values; being an open and inclusive society, doesn’t the discussion exceed the boundaries of political conversation?
For example, discussing balanced budgets vs deficit budgets is something that occurs based upon ideologically developed beliefs and are arguments borne out in a political stage. However, entertaining ideas that explicitly contradict core Canadian values as laid out by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (section 2 in this case) automatically surpasses the parameters of “talking politics”.
Thus, the GG is fully within his rights as the surrogate to the Queen in Canada, who happens to be signatory to the Charter, to comment on significant matters (like the Niqab debate) that challenge our Constitution. With regards to the Syrian refugee matter, as a participant and observer of historic Canadian events, the GG need not be chastised for recognizing Canadian success. Insisting he not acknowledge the enthusiasm by which Canadians assisted in the refugee crisis, implies opposition to the cause –which is kind of disappointing commentary on those against the GG’s comments.
I agree with this. Further it would have been different if the comments came during the election.
if we are so great in Canada why cant we help our own indigenous people…
I get your drift but at the same time my opinion go this GG just went up a couple of notches.
Should read “my opinion of this GG”
Well, I think the whole niquab debate was so disgusting and so offensive to a modern democratic society that the GG’s comments are above politics and simply reflect common decency. I was initially concerned when Harper appointed him but he has shown himself to be a man of great integrity, unlike the typical Harper appointee.
Warren,
Johnston gets a pass from me on this…unlike at the Harper 2011 cabinet swearing-in at Rideau Hall where the technically apolitical Johnston raised his arms in victory at the prospect of continued Conservative government.