Constitutional scholars rejoice! The debate is raging as to who is actually Canada's Head of State. The booming PMO reminds us that the role is vested in the monarch with most of its powers devolved to her representative, the Governor-General.
However, most recent GGs had another idea -- which seems to come out of actually doing the job. Governor Generals, past and present consider themselves as the de facto head of state.
Sorry boys and girls but this isn't horseshoes. Essentially, the PMO has it right but that doesn't mean that things should stay as they are. Stephen Harper gets to choose the Governor-General, not the Queen. She quite properly follows the advice of her prime minister.
Perhaps now is the time to move to a ceremonial president. Cut the last formal link with Great Britain and let Michaëlle Jean actually be Michaëlle! The president would be named by the PM but at least it would still take two to tango.
I'm open to compromise in true Canadian fashion but one thing's for sure -- count me out on the idea of combining the powers of head of state with that of head of government. Anything short of that is the way to go just so long as I never hear the most dreaded words in the Canadian lexicon: "Good Day, President Harper!"
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