Ensuring constitutional wisdom during unconventional times.

The Governor General and Lieutenant Governors are viewed by many as mostly ceremonial figures and for the most part this is the case. But they have substantial constitutional powers which are used very sparingly because the need seldom arises. There have, however, been cases where the Crown has been called upon to make decisions that have a profound impact on the political landscape. This occurred in December 2008 when the Governor General Michaelle Jean approved Prime Minister Stephen Harper's request to prorogue Parliament after only a few days and while the Government was facing a motion of non confidence by the Official Opposition. In this article a former Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador reflects on the Vice-Regal role and offers some insights into the recent situation in Ottawa.

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The extraordinary if not entirely unprecedented antics of Canada s parliamentary and political leaders last December made the constitutional powers of the Crown an issue for the first time in a generation. There...

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