[Knoss]

I believe that Canada needs an elected senate and Governor General. Both have tremendous authority but and could play an important role in Canadian politics, but are restrained by being appointed positions in a democratic nation.

Parliament would be kept in check if the senate was elected and thus obligated to make decisions. The senate could veto bills passed by the House of Commons and could pass its own legislation, thus both houses would have equal power. By giving each province two senators and one to each territory responsible regional representation would be provided in addition to responsible representation by population.

An elected Head of State or in this case de fact Head of State would be able to veto parliament motions thus preventing corruption in the parliament. They would be possible to limit the power of the Prime Minister and make decisions regarding such things as the armed forces and the budget.

The crown on all crests and coat of arms should be replaced by the lion of the Governor General. This way the crown lion would represent the true head of state, the British Monarch, and the acting Head of State, the Governor General.

Elections should occur every five years House of Commons elections on years ending in 0 and 5, Governor General and Senate elections on years ending in 3 and 8 this way parliament would never have to be dissolved. The Governor General would remain in office until elections are concluded. This would ensure Canada always has a working government.

In time it may be possible to remove the Queen/King of Canada and have a truly democratic republic with all the traditions of Colonial Dominion and constitutional monarch Canada. The crown would be removed from Rideau Hall and the lion.

Douse any one lese have any thoughts?

[Finder]

I've always had the strong belief in Democratic reform and I think both the Senate and the GG should be FPTP and the commons should be PR/FPTP (mixed).

[Tman1]

No Canada does NOT need a Governor General. The Governor General, also known as a symbolic entity, has tremendous authority? Could you substantiate that please?

[ThePolitician]

If we continue on with a senate (which I'm sure won't change any time in my life) then it should defintley be an elected senate. A little accountability for their actions as well would be nice.

Allthough some voters vote for people they KNOW are liars, thiefs, and/or corrupt anyways so there's not much accountability there anyways (see - Svend Robinson).

[hwacker]

We should vote for the whole lot, Judges as well.

This whole system was setup by lawyers and you don't need me to tell you how honest they are?

[maple_leaf1]

They should simply be abolished from our system.

They cost a tremendous amount of money to Canadians; they accomplish nothing the House of Commons can't do on it's own; and they represent Royalty,i.e. rich families who used to rule countries...because they were rich!

Abolish it....that's all. Since referendums are so popular lately, why not hold one thoughout Canada to decide on it's future?

[Canadaka]

I believe we need an elected senate.

GG I think can stay the same, its a for show position anyway.

[Knoss]

Quote:

No Canada does NOT need a Governor General. The Governor General, also known as a symbolic entity, has tremendous authority? Could you substantiate that please?

Certainly The Governor General is the acting head of state and as such is the highest ranking military officer, must approve acts of parlement, can disolve the parlemtn (the latter may reuier more a specific outline), their Excellency an official selected by the PM, a member of parlement, by tradition must respect the decisions of the elected body. An elected governor General would have the duty to veto bills determined to be detremental based on persoanl and parrty values for which they were elected.

[Knoss]

Not a Presedent a President with British tradition, something truely Candian.

[Banff]

I like the current way things are run here and would really have to spend some time weighing the value/pros and cons .
I think the liberal gov. is making a pretty good statement by bringing such things as the Gomery Inquiring forth. It shows a willingness to make resolves so we can move forward . Any gov which allows an open veiw of its books is respectful but looking for trouble .
If we are going to continue to have the freedom to do dig away at gov. use of tax dollars we should move forward and take it as just that because we are not only dealing with quirky spending habits but disagreements and advances in aging , security issues , technologies, medicine etc . and we have to try dealing with this both privately and socially .
Maybe Jessy Ventura is right when he said "Politics is not a Career " . Being in office far too long creates a buddy buddy system and is the root cause of what situations the liberal gov. has found themselves in , and this back and forth party trading with the party of the day just acknowledges that.
Is it really greener on the other side of the grass?

[ThePolitician]

Avro wrote:

You dont want a governor general....you want a president.

If that's the case, move.

Screwball.

I see why you won the Flamer medal.

[BigChuck]

I agree that GG and senate should be reformed to be more democratic and subsequentialy more useful because it could play the head od state role it's supposed to play but not in an honorific way for the Queen or whatever; in a real way like a republic`s president

[Tman1]

Knoss wrote:

Quote:

No Canada does NOT need a Governor General. The Governor General, also known as a symbolic entity, has tremendous authority? Could you substantiate that please?

Certainly The Governor General is the acting head of state and as such is the highest ranking military officer, must approve acts of parlement, can disolve the parlemtn (the latter may reuier more a specific outline), their Excellency an official selected by the PM, a member of parlement, by tradition must respect the decisions of the elected body. An elected governor General would have the duty to veto bills determined to be detremental based on persoanl and parrty values for which they were elected.

Yes, thank you for laying out her powers that be which is common knowledge but all of that translates into symbolic power. Excepting a few cases (see Byng affair), she does not assert those powers in any way presiding over the government. The PM needs to have her permission to call an election (such as the case this year) she has to agree anyways because if she didn't.....you don't know Canadian politics very well. There would be a public outcry if our current Governor General tried to assert authority. Using the phrase tremendous authority is pretty much describing dictators, Louis VI, Charles I and all the other kings who claimed divine rights. Maybe I should rephrase my question. Give me examples of our ladyship Governor General using her tremendous authority, to influence current Canadian politics and society.

[Knoss]

That is the reason for elections. The Governor General would be accountable to all the people of Canada. An elected Governor General could refuse to disovle parlement if thye felt Candians wanted a working minorty government if it would get them elected next term. Of course it would make a differnece if the Governor General was Conservative or Liberal but, public outcry is more importaint to an elected official then to a symbolic entity.