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GG

Wednesday July 7, 2021

July 14, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 7, 2021

‘Historic’ step as Trudeau appoints Canada’s first Indigenous governor general

Canada will have its first ever Indigenous governor general after prime minister Justin Trudeau appointed Inuk leader Mary Simon as the Queen’s representative in Canada.

January 15, 2019

Describing the move as a “historic” step, Trudeau announced Simon’s appointment on Tuesday after coming under mounting pressure to choose a new viceregal. His previous selection resigned after allegations of bullying in January.

“Canada is a place defined by people. People who serve those around them, who tackle big challenges with hope and determination, and above all, who never stop working to build a brighter tomorrow,” said Trudeau. “In other words, people like Mary Simon.”

Originally from Kangiqsualujjuaq, in the Nunavik region of Quebec, Simon is a longtime advocate of Inuit rights. She previously served as the former president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the country’s national advocacy organization for Inuit. She also served as Canada’s first Inuk ambassador in Denmark and for circumpolar affairs.

June 1, 2021

“I am honoured, humbled and ready to be Canada’s first indigenous Governor General,” she said, also giving remarks in Inuktitut, her first language. “I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada and an important step forward on the long path towards reconciliation.”

Simon’s appointment comes at a time when Canada’s rocky relationship with Indigenous nations has worsened, following the discovery of more than one thousand unmarked graves across the country.

In her remarks, Simon spoke of the need for the country to “fully recognize, memorialize and come to terms with the atrocities of our collective past” as more is learned about the legacy of residential schools.

January 29, 2021

Trudeau’s previous pick for governor general, Julie Payette, resigned in January after a number of anonymous staff told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation they were berated by Payette to the point of tears. Others said that she would call their work “shit” and order them out of her office.

The position is largely symbolic but once formally installed, Simon will outrank Trudeau as holder of highest federal office in Canada, second only to the Queen.

Ahead of a looming election, Trudeau had faced pressure to appoint a governor general. One of Simon’s tasks will be to dissolve parliament upon the prime minister’s request.

Simon’s landmark appointment also comes amid growing skepticism over the role the monarchy plays in Canada.

According to recent polling 55% of respondents believe the royal family is no longer relevant. Given the chance, 43% of respondents said they would eliminate the position of governor general. Only 22% would opt to keep the role as is. (The Guardian) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2021-24, Canada, GG, Governor-General, Julie Payette, Justin Trudeau, Mary Simon, Rideau Hall, toxic, truck, workplace harassment

Saturday August 8, 2020

August 8, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

August 8, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday August 8, 2020

More than $250K spent on Gov. Gen. Julie Payette’s demands for privacy at Rideau Hall

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to satisfy Gov. Gen. Julie Payette’s need for privacy at Rideau Hall, but she still hasn’t moved into her official residence almost three years into her five-year mandate. 

December 5, 2019

CBC News has learned new details about costs the public is incurring to meet Payette’s requirements before she agrees to move in. 

They include almost $140,000, spent studying and designing a private staircase that was never built, and more than $117,500 on a gate and series of doors to keep people away from Payette’s office, according to the National Capital Commission (NCC), which manages the official vice-regal residence.

Those costs go well beyond the usual transition expenses, which normally involve some fresh paint and new furniture, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the project. Those sources asked for confidentiality because they are not authorized to publicly discuss Rideau Hall’s requests. 

They paint a portrait of a Governor General who is uncomfortable with being in the constant presence of staff, RCMP security and, to some extent, the public.

July 14, 2017

Governors general have to accept a degree of privacy loss when they take on the vice-regal role.

Much of the verdant grounds of Rideau Hall are open to the public, who wander freely around what is seen in the national capital as a public park. Family picnics and pick-up football games abound on any particular summer day.

But Payette “wanted to come and go without anyone seeing her,” said one source with knowledge of the project.

According to multiple sources, Payette doesn’t like maintenance workers in her line of sight. Even RCMP paid to protect Payette are no longer allowed to stand directly outside her office door and must hide in a room down the hallway, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Only some select staff currently have access to the restricted area by her office. (CBC) 

November 1, 2018

Meanwhile, The Privy Council Office (PCO) has launched what it says will be a “thorough, independent and impartial” workplace probe into claims of harassment and verbal abuse in the office of Gov. Gen. Julie Payette.

The investigation follows a CBC News report that quoted unnamed sources saying Payette has created a toxic environment at Rideau Hall by verbally harassing employees to the point where some have been reduced to tears or have left the office altogether.

A dozen sources with direct knowledge of the office during Payette’s mandate told CBC News the Governor General has yelled at, belittled and publicly humiliated employees. They accuse her of throwing tantrums in the office and, on one occasion, tossing an employee’s work aside and calling it “shit.”

Sources also accused Payette’s secretary and longtime friend, Assunta Di Lorenzo, of harassing employees — calling some “lazy” and “incompetent.” (CBC) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2020-27, Canada, carpenter, duty, GG, Government House, Governor-General, Julie Payette, Rideau Hall, rocket

Thursday November 1, 2018

November 8, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 1, 2018

Two Former GGs on the hot seat for their lavish ways

Canada’s governors general deserve continued financial support once they retire but they need to be more transparent and accountable for their expenses, Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

February 20, 2004

The prime minister made the comment after a Postmedia report revealed that Adrienne Clarkson, who was governor general from 1999 to 2005, has billed more than $1 million in expenses since leaving the viceregal job.

Besides their pensions, former governors general get lifetime public funding for office and travel expenses through a program that has existed since 1979, on the premise that governors general never truly retire.

Trudeau said the federal government will review the program to determine “best practices” for supporting former governors general.

September 27, 2005

“These are people who’ve stepped up and offered tremendous service to this country but Canadians expect a certain level of transparency and accountability and we’re going to make sure we’re moving forward in a thoughtful way,” Trudeau said on his way into the Liberals’ weekly caucus meeting.

Clarkson has billed more than $100,000 to the government nine times in the 12 years since she left Rideau Hall.

That’s the threshold for reporting the billings separately, including identifying the claimant, in the federal government’s annual Public Accounts. The Public Accounts disclose no detail about the nature of the expenses.

Expenses of less than $100,000 billed by former governors general are lumped together in a general “temporary help services” category and do not identify who claimed them. (Source: Toronto Star) 

May 27, 2009

Earlier in October, another former Governor-General, Michaelle Jean failed, in her bid for a second term as secretary general of la Francophonie Friday as members chose Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

Three days after his government withdrew its support for Jean, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted the move was not part of a deal to advance Canada’s bid for a United Nations Security Council seat in 2020.

Jean had been dogged by stories of excessive spending and questionable expenses during her mandate.

After a four-year term marked by controversy, the former governor general was considered a long shot for a second stint, but she refused to withdraw her candidacy even as support dwindled. (Source: CTV News) 

 

Posted in: Canada, Lifestyle Tagged: "Michaelle Jean, Adrienne Clarkson, aristocracy, Canada, elite, Elizabeth I, entitlements, GG, Governor-General, marie antoinette, meritocracy, privilege, Rideau Hall, vice-roy

Wednesday August 17, 2005

August 17, 2005 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 17, 2005

Only a month and a bit to go before installation day

Declaration of loyalty, please

It’s starting to sound like a French Revolution of sorts with all the harsh words about our new Governor General.Vice-regent-in-waiting Michaelle Jean and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, have been spared the guillotine so far, but the trashing in the court of public opinion has been relentless.

It started with an article in a Quebecois magazine that claimed Jean and Lafond are part of the province’s intellectual sovereigntist community. Lafond is even alleged to have FLQ sympathies. He wrote in the script of a film on FLQ member Francis Simard that he developed an “instant bond” with the terrorist.

Premier Ralph Klein and Opposition leader Stephen Harper have raised concerns about the appointment, and the prime minister is reported to have scolded them for speaking out.

And yet appeasement in this summertime diversion is such a simple matter. Instead of the dull roar of silence we have heard so far, the G-G designate should stand up and say, unequivocally, that she supports federalism and that Quebec should remain part of Canada.

Then we would be done with this. Jean could get on with boning up on vice-regent protocol and ordering new wallpaper for Government House.

But if she has trouble speaking words of federalist loyalty, then she should consider returning to her previous career in broadcasting. As a governor general, it’s wonderful that she comes from Quebec, is part of a visible minority community, is a woman and speaks several languages. But the job needs someone who lives and breathes for a united Canada. Supporting national unity is an important part of the governor general’s role.

So far we’ve only really heard from Prime Minister Martin’s spokesperson on this: “When the prime minister says these people are committed Canadians, he has good reason to say so, ” Scott Reid, Martin’s director of communications, told reporters.

But now is the time for Jean to step forward.

It’s the least she could do for being given the keys to a very nice house in Ottawa. (Hamilton Spectator Opinion)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: "Michaelle Jean, Canada, Charles de Gaulle, citizenship, french, GG, Governor-General, Jean-Daniel Lafond

Thursday August 5, 1999

August 5, 1999 by Graeme MacKay
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday August 5, 1999 Governor-General Bob Rae? Former Ontario premier Bob Rae is the latest, and hottest, rumour in the governor general sweepstakes. The Toronto Star Wednesday reported Rae, 51, may leave his law practice to become Canada's next governor general, replacing Romeo LeBlanc. LeBlanc has been governor general since 1995. Earlier this year he asked Prime Minister Jean Chretien to replace him by the end of the year so he could end his term early. Rae, a former federal NDP MP, and Ontario's former NDP premier, works as a lawyer for Goodman Phillips Vineberg of Toronto. The newspaper reports that Rae recently deregistered from the lobbyists' registry, usually a sign that someone is preparing to accept a public appointment. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/will-rae-be-next-governor-general-1.180208 Canada, Ontario, Governor-General, GG, Bob Rae, appointment, patronage, constitutional, monarchy

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 5, 1999

Governor-General Bob Rae?

Former Ontario premier Bob Rae is the latest, and hottest, rumour in the governor general sweepstakes.

The Toronto Star Wednesday reported Rae, 51, may leave his law practice to become Canada’s next governor general, replacing Romeo LeBlanc.

By Graeme MacKay Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Illustrated between 1994-1997

Romeo LeBlanc

LeBlanc has been governor general since 1995. Earlier this year he asked Prime Minister Jean Chretien to replace him by the end of the year so he could end his term early.

Rae, a former federal NDP MP, and Ontario’s former NDP premier, works as a lawyer for Goodman Phillips Vineberg of Toronto.

The newspaper reports that Rae recently deregistered from the lobbyists’ registry, usually a sign that someone is preparing to accept a public appointment. (Source: CBC News)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: appointment, Bob Rae, Canada, constitutional, GG, Governor-General, Monarchy, Ontario, patronage

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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