MSNBC showed Obama arrival in Ottawa. I'm thrilled and embarrassed to learn

[shireen]

that the Governor General is a woman who was born in Port au Prince, Haiti. I am thrilled to see a Black woman in such a major position, and embarrassed that I didn't know it!

I really need to read more world news. :eyes:



http://www.gg.ca/gg/index_e.asp

[dem629]

1. You're actually embarrassed that you didn't know that?

You must embarrass easily.

[shireen]

8. i should have know that!

1) Canada is the country next door
2) I try to pay special attention to the accomplishments of women.

So yes, i'm embarrassed.

I humbly seek the forgiveness of Canadian DU'ers. :D

[iverglas]

13. thank you

I've posted in LBN with a link to coverage of Obama's visit, also something a lot of people south of the border don't seem to be even aware of. And mentioning that I'm looking forward to pix in the international press of Jean and Obama together -- the new face of our parts of the Americas.

The response has been underwhelming.

[lxlxlxl]

2. didnt want to rain on the 'america-is-so-progressive' parade after the election

Yep, FEMALE, Brilliant, Hatian-born, and billingual. I thought about bringing this up when I heard all the "Only in America' stuff last year, but its ultimately irrelevant.

She wasn't elected, and her position is primarily symbolic. That said, she is incredibly popular, respected, and Canadians didn't blink allowing her to represent the country.

Canadians don't brag as much as the should really.

[ecstatic]

3. I didn't know either. I was wondering if that was Susan

Rice or something walking next to him. Wow! Thanks for the link.

[Mika]

4. Canada's GG is the rep of Canada's dictator for life - Elizabeth Windsor.

She shut down Canada's democracy late last year at the behest of Ms Windsor.

Even Venezuela doesn't have a foreign dictator for life. ;)

[enlightenment]

9. Why do I get the feeling you're something of an

anti-royalist, Mika? :evilgrin:

[Mika]

20. I was surprised to read that it takes the OK of a GG to open or close parliament

I thought Canadians took the reigns away from royalty in 1967 when they reflagged their independent nation. Turns out that the Queen's rep still has authority over their elected "representative" body :shrug:

[Oregone]

12. Thats not true.

She granted the Prime Minister his request to shut down Parliament so he could have time to rework his budget (and avoid his government falling). Essentially, Harper just called the shots and she symbolically signed off on it. "At the behest of Ms Windsor"? What the fuck planet do you live on?

[PassingFair]

14. Guy probably hates Corgis, too...

[iverglas]

15. why do I get the feeling you are so ignorant you should be ashamed to speak in public?

Her decision to prorogue Parliament was, in myinformed opinion, wrong.

The decision was made at the behest of the Prime Minister of Canada.

[Mika]

19. But the GG has authority to do so? From where does this authority come? Is a GG elected?

I know I'm an uneducated American, and I spend near zero time understanding Canada's system, and the interaction of British royalty in it.

Can you please explain how a GG has authority to shut down parliament (even if it is at the request of the PM, just why/how does the GG have authority to do so)?

Thanks.

[sarge43]

17. Queen Elizabeth has no such power.

She's Canada's head of state and it's purely symbolic. She has no say in how parliament conducts its business. If it chooses the Canadian parliament can declare Canada a republic tomorrow.

If you're going to be an anti-monarchist, suggest you at least learn how it functions.

[shireen]

5. and her predecessor was a lady from Hong Kong!

Awesome! :)

[Winterblues]

6. Do you know any of the other Governors of Canadian Provinces?

:shrug: I don't, nor do I know most Governors in our own country.

[sharp_stick]

10. Oops...

they have Premiers, not Governors to lead the provinces.

[iverglas]

16. well ...

We do have Lieutenant Governors. ;)

They're the provincial counterparts of the Governor General. They sign off on stuff.

Ontario had a black Lt. Gov. some decades ago, btw.

[shireen]

11. well, this is the Canadian head of state.

I may forgive myself for not knowing the names of Governors of the Canadian provinces and many US states. But head-of-state? No excuse!

Bad bad shireen!

:banghead:

[gcomeau]

18. Not really...

Technically yes, but for all practical purposes the Prime Minister is the head of state and runs things, and the Governor General just hangs out and signs off on anything put in front of them.

As long as that situation continues we let the position keep existing, because it really doesn't hurt anything, we always get along fine the Brits, and I suspect the average Canadian would think it was unnecessarily rude to get rid of them for no reason (we tend towards politeness). If the Governor General ever started trying to actually tell the elected members of the government what to do day to day however the position would be pretty much gone overnight. But they don't, so everyone gets along fine.

Bottom line, you should know who the Prime Minister is... it's really not so important to know who the Governor General is. Hell, I'm Canadian and I'm usually completely unaware of who's in the office at any given time.

[elleng]

7. If interested,

listen to Canadian radio broadcast of his arrival (and see Golden Retriever puppies.) My friend's site.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shayla-%26-her-golden-retriever-puppies