Why does Canada retain its Governor General?

Question

OK this is a question I've been debating with my Canadian friends. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, with the Queen of England as official Head of State. My question is why does Canada retain the GG and the Queen, instead of becoming a republic with its own titular head? PLEASE I'm looking for answers better than "Why not"

Thanks!

Answer 1

The Governor General is the vice-regal representative in Canada of the Canadian Monarch, who is Canada's Head of State; (currently, Queen Elizabeth II).
Any constitutional amendment that affects the office of Governor General requires the unanimous consent of the provincial legislatures as well as the federal parliament, rather than the two-thirds majority necessary for most other amendments. Canadian politicians have shown little appetite for opening discussions on constitutional matters, especially on a polarizing topic such as the Monarchy. There has been little public debate on the abolition of the Monarchy, especially because many Canadians find the conflict over Quebec sovereignty more pressing.

Besides, all they have to do is look at the example the US has set for being a republic. Under the system Canadians currently have, they have universal health care and by far, less debt than we have here. They don't seem to have the massive levels of crime that are in this republic along with the high levels of corruption in government. So if it ain't broke, why fix it.

Answer 2

actually the best answer i have is why not?

The GG is just the Queen's representative in Canada, and really carries very little power. They carry out ceremonial head of state functions so that the PM can focus on actual government issues rather than splitting time between both.

A switch to a republic is pointless because the present system works fine.

I'd recommend electing the senate but other than that there is no need to change

Answer 3

A very long time ago, Canada decided it would no longer allow it's citizens to accept titles. That was rescinded for a bit, and then restored. This was a very long time ago, and there has been no real appetite to change yet. We do have our own Heraldic System now, which is an honour that one must qualify for, so this does set some a bit apart from others, but, not by much. Oh, the United Empire Loyalists did not run from the war - they fought it. Which is why they got land grants in Canada, and why the King awarded the UE to them, and their descendants to acknowledge their loyalty and service to the Crown.

Answer 4

Would you erase your History of governing a country ( assuming you're not Canadian?) even though it works perfectly fine? The Queen doesn't rule over us, she is a figure head. Hence the cultural history of Canada. Unless the Queens role burdens Canadians in a serious way, then why would we erase our history? Russia did it to become the USSR... did that help it's people in the long run? I say stay the status quo until there's a serious problem that hurts all Canadians.

Answer 5

Well, part of being Canadian is that we really don't want to offend anybody too much. And who would want to offend the Queen who has done a good job and worked hard during her reign? And is even full-length feature movie worthy. She's a nice queen, isn't she? So, we won't fire her GG and make her feel bad. Loyalty is part of it.

However, if Charlie becomes King, look for change because we are not sure that he represents the Canadian outlook and we might just sacrifice him for Quebec.

Answer 6

Because there are some people who actually prefer monarchies to republics. Who says republicanism is the best form of government? In a constitutional monarchy the past is preserved along with civil rights for the many.

Answer 7

Canada would have to petition to be released from the common wealth in order to get rid of the Governor general. The system isn't broken, the Governor general is a figure head, nothing more. In Canada's history the Governor general has never once exercised veto power.

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Answer 8

I realize this isn't much of an answer but I found a pretty good website that explains the Monarchy and it's role in Canada.


http://pages.interlog.com/~rakhshan/pmyth.html

Answer 9

Tradition, dude. Canada was born out of England; and most early Canadian settlers are either English or United Empire Loyalists (i.e. Americans that didn't want to be independent).

It's also a way to be different than the US. hehe.

Answer 10

there is no harm in keeping the monarch because she is only
a figurehead leader
why upset the system when there is no need
and Canada is not the only one in this system of government
there are other countries under the same rule