Canadian Coalition Government

[speed]

Originally Posted by tokenuser

Ummm, no.

The governor gerneral is recommended by the Prime Minister (but may be overridden), and is appointed by the monarch - Queen Elizabeth II. They report to the Queen, not the Prime Minister, and represent the absolute power in a commonwealth country (like Canada, Australia, or New Zealand).

Usually they are a ceremonial role, but they do have the power to dissolve parliament if a no-confidence vote (basically impeachment of the Prime Minister) is passed by the parliament. This is not a matter that occurs lightly.

I can't remember a time where a Canadian Prime Minister was overridden in his choice to pick a GG, so as far as all practicality is concerned, they are chosen by the Prime Minister.

[tokenuser]

Originally Posted by speed

I can't remember a time where a Canadian Prime Minister was overridden in his choice to pick a GG, so as far as all practicality is concerned, they are chosen by the Prime Minister.

That may be true, but they do not work for the PM, they do not do the PM's bidding, and they work until they retire (or do something unpopular and are asked to retire by the Queen at the bequest of the Canadian people as represented by the PM).

When the GG position is next up for grabs, the Queen could rightly appoint Prince William or Harry (maybe not yet, maybe once they are older) as the GG. It has been talked about for Australia (Charles was almost GG for awhile), and is not beyond the Canadian constitution either.

[speed]

Originally Posted by tokenuser

That may be true, but they do not work for the PM, they do not do the PM's bidding, and they work until they retire (or do something unpopular and are asked to retire by the Queen at the bequest of the Canadian people as represented by the PM).

When the GG position is next up for grabs, the Queen could rightly appoint Prince William or Harry (maybe not yet, maybe once they are older) as the GG. It has been talked about for Australia (Charles was almost GG for awhile), and is not beyond the Canadian constitution either.

Maybe, but their attachment to the Queen is largely ignored, especially in Canada, where we try to distance ourselves from Britain. Realistically speaking, if the Queen ever tried to appoint a non-Canadian nowadays, there would likely be riots.