Which comes first the Prime Minister or the Governor General?
09/01/25 23:15 Filed in: Politics
The proroguing of parliament until March 24th is seen as a delay in forming a stable government. The Governor General’s role as a representative of the crown is questioned, with a call to reconvene parliament for a non-confidence vote.
Currently, I am contemplating the appropriate content for my inaugural blog post. The prevailing events in the world, including the recent resignation of Justin Trudeau and President Trump’s looming threat of tariffs, and the potential annexation of Canada as a 51st state have created a complex and intriguing backdrop. Amidst this backdrop, a proposal for a “prorogue parliament” has emerged, ostensibly designed to provide the liberal elite with an extended period to select a new leader. However, this concept is perceived as an affront to the nation’s sovereignty and a disregard for the urgent need for a stable and effective government. The imposition of a wait until March 24th solely to accommodate the liberal elite’s indecisiveness is an unacceptable delay that hinders the country’s progress and development.
So as we have it, Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada has prorogued parliament until March 24 on the request of Justin Trudeau. By virtue of unwritten, but powerful constitutional conventions, the unelected Governor General almost never defies the Prime Minister‘s formal request. However, this position is the monarchs representative in Canada. They have important constitutional responsibilities, including signing bills into law, summoning, and dissolving Parliament, and swearing in the Prime Minister and cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. In 1947, Letters Patent Constituting the office of the Governor General of Canada under King George the VI authorize the governor General to exercise most of the crowns powers on behalf of the sovereign.
So I ask, does the Prime Minister rule over the Governor General or does the Governor General have powers beyond the Prime Minister? I believe the answer is both. The Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. But what happens when you have a rogue Prime Minister?
The reserve power of dismissal has never been invoked in Canada. However, other reserve powers have been utilized to compel the Prime Minister to resign on two occasions. In 1896, Prime Minister Charles Tupper declined to resign after his party’s failure to secure a majority in the House of Commons during that year’s election.
A more pertinent instance occurred in 1925, when the King-Byng affair transpired. Prime Minister MacKenzie King faced a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons. In response, he advised the Governor General to dissolve the newly convened parliament. However, the Governor General, Byng refused to comply with this request.
Is it far-fetched to request that our current Governor General, Mary Simon, demand Parliament’s return so that a non-confidence vote can be held? In my opinion, the Governor General’s role as a representative of the crown on behalf of the sovereign chose to side with the resigned Prime Minister, when respectfully she should be acting for what is best for the country.
Governor General, Please do what’s right and re convene parliament so an election can end this paralysis.
So as we have it, Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada has prorogued parliament until March 24 on the request of Justin Trudeau. By virtue of unwritten, but powerful constitutional conventions, the unelected Governor General almost never defies the Prime Minister‘s formal request. However, this position is the monarchs representative in Canada. They have important constitutional responsibilities, including signing bills into law, summoning, and dissolving Parliament, and swearing in the Prime Minister and cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. In 1947, Letters Patent Constituting the office of the Governor General of Canada under King George the VI authorize the governor General to exercise most of the crowns powers on behalf of the sovereign.
So I ask, does the Prime Minister rule over the Governor General or does the Governor General have powers beyond the Prime Minister? I believe the answer is both. The Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. But what happens when you have a rogue Prime Minister?
The reserve power of dismissal has never been invoked in Canada. However, other reserve powers have been utilized to compel the Prime Minister to resign on two occasions. In 1896, Prime Minister Charles Tupper declined to resign after his party’s failure to secure a majority in the House of Commons during that year’s election.
A more pertinent instance occurred in 1925, when the King-Byng affair transpired. Prime Minister MacKenzie King faced a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons. In response, he advised the Governor General to dissolve the newly convened parliament. However, the Governor General, Byng refused to comply with this request.
Is it far-fetched to request that our current Governor General, Mary Simon, demand Parliament’s return so that a non-confidence vote can be held? In my opinion, the Governor General’s role as a representative of the crown on behalf of the sovereign chose to side with the resigned Prime Minister, when respectfully she should be acting for what is best for the country.
Governor General, Please do what’s right and re convene parliament so an election can end this paralysis.
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