It would be refreshing if, for once, the person taking on the role of Governor General of this country would show some enthusiasm for the monarchy. Appointees to this illustrious post generally regard support for the Crown as something one endures on the way to a cushy $393,800-a-year position, use of the government plane, and residence at swanky Rideau Hall.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s hand-picked vice-regal appointee, Madam Justice Louise Arbour, was asked whether she is a monarchist. An appropriate response would be: “Yes, of course I am. King Charles III has served this country well, as did his mother.” Instead, we got a word salad. Monarchy unfortunately has a “pejorative” meaning to it, she said. Really? Yet here she is taking the job of the King’s representative.
“I will give you a legal and constitutional answer. I will serve as the representative of the Crown in a constitutional monarchy based on a parliamentary system, in a constitutional arrangement that’s very well served Canada, particularly in recent years, and I’m quite convinced that will continue to be the case,” she said. A simple “God Save the King” would suffice.
Last year, amid a clamour from Canadians and in the middle of cancer treatments, Charles made the trip here to deliver the Throne Speech. He did so graciously and eloquently. Arbour’s lack of enthusiasm is explained by the fact she’s from Quebec. Following criticism that GG Mary Simon didn’t speak adequate French, Carney appointed a bilingual francophone. But she still can’t muster support for the monarchy. Perhaps he should have picked someone from the West.
Arbour has been outspoken in the past, especially on Israel and Palestine. We’re confident that as a seasoned jurist, she’s aware the King’s representative is above politics and must uphold the rights of all Canadians, regardless of their world views. Her job isn’t about legal wrangling. It’s not about cocktails in the Ottawa bubble. It’s about the people of Canada. She needs to meet them, listen to their needs and support their community efforts.
In recent years, Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy has taken on a new life. It’s what defines us within the North American context. Arbour’s job is about supporting a system of government that makes this country the most stable, freest democracy in the world.
