Canada has ardent monarchists? Yep, and they are helping the PM choose the GG
Through most of Canadian history, the Governor General has basically been a non-entity. That’s changed with the last two GGs, thanks to a series of minority governments and constitutional brinksmanship. So it’s no surprise that Stephen Harper is taking the search for Michäelle Jean’s replacement seriously. What is surprising is that so is the small coterie of ardent Canadian monarchists. Conservative sources say Ray Novak, the prime minister’s principal secretary, and Kevin MacLeod, Canadian secretary to the Queen, have been involved in the search. They say both men are strong supporters of Canada’s links to the monarchy. “Only a few people in government care about it, but they care about it fiercely,” one source told the CP.
It’s a relief that only a few people in government care about this kind of thing—or so might say most citizens. A recent poll showed that 49 per cent of Canadians have a negative association with the word “monarchy.”
The prime minister could save everyone some time and energy by staying with the traditional pick: a CBC broadcaster. Rick Mercer turned down Sun TV, but for the chance to be the guy who accepts Harper’s eventual resignation, we think he might reconsider.
• Tight circle of monarchists helping Harper pick next Governor General [Winnipeg Free Press] • Canadians lukewarm on monarchy: poll [Montreal Gazette]
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