The Next Governor General
December 4, 2009 · By Richard Albert
Yesterday, Don Martin suggested that the current Governor General could be replaced next year. That sounds reasonable to me. After all, by September 2010, the Governor General will have served for five years, which is well in keeping with the tenure of her predecessors, the last five of whom served for roughly six, four, five, six, five and five years, respectively.
So let’s take this occasion to think creatively about who should be chosen as the next Governor General of Canada.
Who doesn’t like a good game of speculation? I’m always in for that.
It sure won’t be Don Martin. He ain’t going to the Senate either.
it’ll be a Don of a different flavour, Cherry flavour, if you don’t mind.
Can you imagine!! Don Cherry as the Governor General.
Lewis McKenzie.
Well, considering the recent trend, it seems we have to find a former CBC personality, so…
How about Ralph Benmergui, Pat Mastrioni or Scott Thompson?
On a more serious note, why not someone who as actually, you know, been elected to something? I’ll suggest Herb Gray, Joe Clark or Alexa McDonough.
Lewis MacKenzie. Decorated peacekeeper who served in the Gaza Strip, Vietnam, Bosnia and Central America. In Sarajevo, during the civil war, he led troops from 31 nations as the United Nations commander and managed to open the Sarajevo airport for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
He has earned the right to wear a uniform if he is picked as governor general.
Rex Murphy comes to mind, He is eloquent, mostly non partisan, and cuts through the BS with a well honed knife.
I’d really like to see Preston Manning be offered the job.
Murphy is an excellent choice–I wonder if Danny would be able to find something wrong with the PM appointing a Newfoundland GG.
I’d prefer to keep former elected politicians out of the position. The Crown isn’t affiliated with any one party or ideology, and I ‘d like to see a representative who’s political baggage doesn’t include parliamentary votes.
As much as I like Rex Murphy (or Ralph Benmergui or Scott Thompson) I don’t think they’d fit the position. A Governor General has to be bland and articulate with a taste for rubber chicken. These men would waste away in that position.
I like Lewis MacKenzie. I think Wayne Gretzky might be looking for work soon (but he might not make the articulate criterion, judging by his SNL appearance). It’s not really a crucial position, so any inoffensive public personality fits the bill. Why am I here again?
We should have 2 this time.
Bob and Doug Mackenzie.
Rex Murphy will scare the bejeezus out of foreign dignitaries with one of his pointed stares.
If we’re going to pick someone, make it interesting.
Ed Broadbent or Preston Manning (whom I think advocated having the position abolished)
Ray Speaker. He and his wife would be outstanding.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Speaker
http://fusion.uleth.ca/man/com.....2007.shtml
Preston Manning is a true gentleman and a fine intellectual. He would be great for the job, but he won’t get it because he’s not bilingual. Lewis MacKenzie would also be a good choice, but won’t get it for the same reason. Same goes for Rex Murphy, Rick Hillier, etc. It is unfortunate that politics prevents the appointment of anyone who is not bilingual, as this rules out a large majority of distinguished and deserving Canadians.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in being bilingual – from a practical perspective, the Quebecois have never been big fans of the monarchy and I’m willing to wager they couldn’t care less if the GG was able to speak french.
54% of quebecois would support abolishing the monarch – the highest level across canada. [Source: Maple Leaf Web]
I would wager that Michelle Jean will be given a second term.
I too would like to see Michaelle Jean offered a second term. I know there are people who don’t like her, but I’ve been impressed by her grace and humanity in the role. She has served Canada well as GG.
The Monarchist League of Canada has just launched a Facebook page asking Canadians to suggest who they believe should be Canada’s Next Governor General.
To participate, visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....9486422213
RF.
Maybe Donald Sutherland…..
Maritimer
Led the “believe campaign”
Political and art links
Seemed to be everywhere at olympics
http://www.jean-vanier.org/hom......index.htm
His age would keep him from travelling and save on the overhead.
The PM couldn’t bully him.
He would remind us all of our humanity and reduce the Grandness that we have all focussed on.
I think that Romeo Dallaire should be offered the position of Governor General, I do not know of anyone better than him for our next GG. He is known around the world! Although he is a Senator, he would probably need to resign in order to accept the position of GG.
Absolutely Not a 2nd term please. Especially after this GG thought that she was actually the Head of State and had to be strongly reminded that she is not! Please…not another journalist and not anyone remotely connected with that hive of negativity, the CBC. Let’s hope that when the name of the next GG is announced most of Canada won’t ask “Who?”.