GG Goes GaGa:

A Constitutional No No

The British Monarch is Canada’s Head of State.  The Governor General (GG) of Canada is the representative of the British Head of State in Canada.  As such, the GG shares the same constitutional responsibilities as the British Monarch.

The GG performs:

• Constitutional Executive duties (e.g., opening and dissolving Parliament, asking an individual to form a government as Prime Minister).
• Diplomatic tasks (e.g., accrediting ambassadors, fostering diplomatic relations).
• Philanthropic activities (e.g., as patron of worthy causes)
• Ceremonial roles (e.g., as Commander in Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces).

However, the most important function of a GG  – as representative of the Monarch – is to represent the moral authority and continuity of the nation, a role which transcends the turmoil of politics and which exemplifies the nation’s values.  As GG, the incumbent expresses no personal opinions, only the judgements of the state.

The incumbent GG, Her Excellency Mary Simon, has committed a gross violation of her most important function.

In 2021, statues of the British Queens Victoria and Elizabeth were damaged, the former beyond repair.  When asked about this vandalism, the GG is reported to have said, as a representative of the British Monarch: “I can’t say whether it’s right or wrong”.  This is constitutionally correct.

However, in the same interview she states:

“I think it’s really important for Indigenous people to express themselves in whichever form they want, but it’s also very important for us to recognize that the effects of colonization and residential schools have had such a devastating impact on the cultures and identity of Indigenous people, that there is frustrations. There’s anger.”

This statement:

1. Endorses or at least justifies vandalism
2. Expresses an opinion about how Canadians should recognize the impact of colonization and residential schools.

Under no circumstances are such statements appropriate for a representative of the Head of State.  Mary Simon has no constitutional right to insert herself into the discussion about the colonization injustices perpetrated against indigenous peoples.  She has allowed her personal opinions – however justified – to interfere with her constitutional obligations.

There is an offence – more moral than constitutional – called lese-majesté.  It occurs when someone expresses an opinion which defames or otherwise denigrates the monarch.  Clearly we need a word to describe the behaviour of the representative of the Head of State when she demeans and denigrates her constitutional role.