Replace Monarchy with elected Governor General

The Star Phoenix:

If Canadians want to, we could elect our governor general, declare that person is our head of state and stay in the Commonwealth, without quite severing our ties with the monarchy.

The Irish presidency is a good model. The Irish elect their presidents, who serve almost precisely the same function as our governors general, but with greater popular support, because they are elected. There has never been a power struggle between the two offices, which is something monarchists warn about here.

If the prime minister is able to hold consultative elections to select senators — a question the Supreme Court may ultimately decide — then surely we could select our governor general the same way.

And if it is desirable to elect senators, why not the governor general?

When Michaelle Jean once asserted that she was head of state, she was contradicted by Stephen Harper. Constitutional expert Ned Franks has argued persuasively that whoever occupies Rideau Hall is our head of state, since that person is performing all the functions of that role, but it suits prime ministers to keep the focus on Buckingham Palace rather than the potential rival for public affection on the other side of Sussex Drive.

Designating the governor general — elected or not — as our head of state strikes me as a dignified half step towards 'sovereignisation,' and having elections could help befuddled Canadian voters understand that our prime minister is not like the American president.

According to Statistics Canada, in 1981, 34 per cent of Canadians identified as of British origin. In 2006, it was 20 per cent. The monarchy is less relevant to new Canadians, and in Quebec it has always been a symbol of the conquest of New France.

I think time come — for a debate at least.

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