Friday, November 13, 2009

An elected Govenor General-political reform

In reference to the idea of an elected head of state I would posit this for consideration.

In 1980 the constitution was patriated eliminating all powers of the monarchs and parliaments in Britain to dictate or have any part to do with legal and constitutional matters in Canada.
However, the pre patriated constitutional system is still maintained.
In a time of minority Government the problems that arise without the check and balances developed in light of the monarchy and the governor general are even more obvious. The powers the Governor General has to check and maintain the political power structure of the Canadian system are necessary to the proper and healthy functioning of the Canadian system.
This means no majority government tyrannies and early elections if said majority is not maintained.

The structure of the Canadian system necessitates a head of state.
In fact the check and balances of each province and territory necessitates lieutenant governors to check said provincial governments.
My suggestion is: elect the governor general as part of the federal government elections. Elect lieutenant governors during provincial elections
Continue to allow the governor general to have the traditional veto he has though it is no longer used. Create a council of Governor General and lieutenant governors who can veto and force laws back to debate. Allow a unanimous lieutenant governor vote (7 or 8 out of 10) to over rule the governor general including the approval of laws. This allows provinces and the governor general have a sober second thought concerning laws as they were intended to do from their inception; without this the Canadian system has had the problems we have seen because it was set up to include said powers but lacks the strength of a head of state.
This is different than the US system
Ok so the council of governors could veto the House of Commons with both the governor general and no strong majority amongst the other left governors. A strong majority can counter the governor general.

In provincial situations if the governor general or strong majority agrees with a provincial law it passes, it can be vetoed if governor general and strong majority oppose it

This would make every part of the country accountable and part of the electoral process.

Further more electing a senate based on territory and not population would create a perfect governmental system. I would over lap senate riding between provinces to foster more cooperation and feeling of unity between then, Ontarions and Quebecers sharing rep via senators.
I will emphasise that without the veto of the Governor general and lieutenant governments the Canadian political system is missing an essential part that would make it accountable and alleviate most if not all the mechanistic logistic problems that occur with the Canadian political system
This is the only way to restore Canada to the accountable political system it was originally meant to be while alleviating the problems that have arose since the removal of the Monarchs from Canadian political endeavours.

Thank you

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