A few weeks ago Prime Minister Stephen Harper casually mentioned that he was unlikely to renew the term of current Governor General Michelle Jean. Leader of the opposition, Michael Ignatieff, alleged that Harper may have wanted Michelle Jean out of the position because of her reluctance to kowtow to Harper’s every demand (despite her acquiescence when Harper asked to prorogue parliament last year.) As charges were lobbed back and forth, it occurred to me how silly this all was; no, not the manner in which these politicians were arguing, but the very matter that was being debated.
In a supposed democratic country, why are we keeping an antiquated relic of a bygone colonialist era as our Head of State? That’s right, unbeknownst to even most Canadians the actual leader of our country isn’t the Prime Minister, but a representative of the Queen. It’s annoying enough that tax dollars are being used to maintain such a useless, ceremonial position, but even more troubling is that over the past few years, the Governor General has actually been called upon to wield real, political power. How silly is that? We let the political future of our country hinge on the decision-making of a person who was chosen based on the brightness of their smile?
Driving home what a farce the position is were rumours that former Star Trek star, and walking punch line William Shatner could be called upon to take over the position. Even more hilarious is the fact that Shatner would probably turn down the offer; after all, the nearly 80 year old actor probably has more important things to do.
There’s something so unsavoury about paying tribute to an institution like the monarchy, in a society that’s supposed to be a meritocracy. Has there ever been a conversation about the royal family that didn’t at least mention the fact that these people managed to hit the birth lottery? In a country that’s supposed to cultivate upward mobility, the presence of a perpetual, undeserving upper-class seems not only silly, but deeply hypocritical.
Paying lip-service to the Queen might not mean much for most Canadians, like harmless kitsch, playing dress up while paying tribute to a bygone era. But it takes on a whole other level for a person of colour like me. After all, historically when someone like me was instructed to pledge loyalty to the Queen it usually wasn’t by choice.
But even something as silly and undemocratic as a ceremonial monarchy has its uses. Combining the Head of State and Head of Government into one position can be a taxing load for one person to handle. Every time I see Obama attending some silly dinner, or inane photo-op, I think to myself, he really should be doing something more important. Of course alternatives can be found. First ladies have filled that role admirably, as have other miscellaneous people scattered throughout government. You’re telling me the deputy Prime Minister (and yes, there is one) has something better to do?
Other than the presence of Queen Elizabeth on our money, there’s virtually no contact with the monarchy in our day to day lives. I remember how jarring it was that we actually had to sing ‘God Save the Queen’ during my university convocation. I chose not to sing along. After all, she’s not my Queen, and other than my lukewarm support for English soccer, there was nothing very British about how I’ve lived my life. Maybe we ought to find someone else to pledge my loyalty our loyalty to, you know, someone who actually deserves it.
