Beyond The Commons

 Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

The keys to Rideau

by Aaron Wherry on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:31pm - 18 Comments

The Mark asks various thinkers for viceregal nominations and ends up with a shortlist that includes Preston Manning, Wayne Gretzky, Leonard Cohen, William Shatner, Mary Simon, Rick Hansen, Phil Fontaine, Marcia McClung, Jean Vanier and Mike Harcourt.

Relatedly, here is a piece I wrote for the magazine a couple weeks ago, in which there is an attempt to point out that the Governor General is invested with extraordinary powers and so, perhaps, the selection of one should be taken somewhat seriously. And in that regard it might be difficult to present a candidate who can compete with the preferred candidate of our John Geddes.

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/john_g2708 john g

    the Governor General is invested with extraordinary powers and so, perhaps, the selection of one should be taken somewhat seriously.

    Completely agree with you (for once?)…I don't understand the push to nominate various celebrities or sports heroes like Gretzky and Shatner.

    Mary Simon however does not deserve to be lumped in with the likes of Gretzky and Shatner. She would be a most worthy selection.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/john_g2708 john g

    Though as has been posted here by someone before I would pay to see Shatner read a Throne Speech.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/PolJunkie PolJunkie

    I thought that rumoured candidate Sam Sullivan was a good idea.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Iccyh Iccyh

    Just posting to register my complete agreement. That list makes me cringe.

  • Emily

    'Stale, male and pale' is what Canadians are expecting from Harper.

    The best we can hope for is that the appointment isn't so absurd that it brings the entire office into disrepute, since it seems Harper doesn't like the position of GG in the first place.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/PolJunkie PolJunkie

      "The best we can hope for is that the appointment isn't so absurd that it brings the entire office into disrepute,"

      That seems to have been his strategy for the Senate.

      • Emily

        Yeah, anything he doesn't like he mocks one way or the other.

        I'm just hoping the 'Caligula's horse' gesture doesn't come into the GG appointment.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Gaunilon Gaunilon

    The prorogation fiasco made obvious that someone of substance is needed – lightweights from showbiz are not sufficient.

    de Chastelain would be best if he'll take the job.

  • MacLean's Regular

    "that the Governor General is invested with extraordinary powers and so, perhaps, the selection of one should be taken somewhat seriously."

    In theory, I agree. Just how that would have make a difference to a martinet like Stephen Harper escapes me.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/WDM WDM

    The PM will close his eyes and point to a random Maclean's Commentator before he picks Preston as GG.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/David0M David_M.

      WOOHOO! I'm in the running! But I'd have to turn it down, I already have enough kids running to me to make rediculous requests.

  • Lord Kitchener's Own

    For the love of God not Gretzky.

    I haven't even gotten over my rage at him being chosen to light the cauldron in Vancouver yet. If he becomes GG, I may have to move.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

    Actually, Aaron, I first read that as "the preferred candidate, our John Geddes" and thought, "huh. You know, might not be a bad choice."

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/WDM WDM

      I nominate Coyne. Of course it would come with strings attached. A CBC reality show (it would definitely have to be tax payer funded) entiteld Prorogue This! that followed him for his five years on the job, with season finales being a march to the Hill to set things straight.

      • Lord Kitchener's Own

        I like this reality show idea. We could build a moat around Rideau Hall, with sharks… with lasers on their heads. The Governor General promises to accede to any Prime Ministerial request to prorogue, and all the PM has to do is get to the GG.

        Of course, Harper's already squashed the fun of watching a PM trying to navigate a maze of spinning blades and poison darts to get to the GG's private office by demonstrating that one need not even look the GG in the eye to request that our Parliament be suspended. Now, that's the sort of thing one can just phone in.

        • http://intensedebate.com/people/john_g2708 john g

          Oh, I have my own reality show I want to promote. It's called "Canadian Subsidy". Sort of like a reverse-Dragon's-Den-meets-American-Idol.

          We bring out the 12 most ridiculous federal government subsidies, and every week one is voted out of existence. The one that remains gets written into the Charter.

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/sourstud sourstud

            I like that idea! The irony though, is that the show would be on the CBC, and thus taxpayer funded.

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/WDM WDM

            Horse Magazine, enshrined into Canadian history. About time.

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