Canada Moves to a "Peoples" Monarchy

Three points of interest are upper most in my mind. First, Canada's new Governor General is showing the humanity and potential of representative constutional monarchy in Canada. In what is a characteristic Canadian way, the new new Governor General, Her Excellency, Michaelle Jean is illustrative of the Canada of the early 21st century and also is a reflection of who we are today. Her Excellency's inaugural speech to the country, extold the affinity shared between herself and the the Queen's personally epxressed concern for humanity.

In a few words, Mme. Jean aligned what some may say is an anachronic institution with the hopes and aspirations of a progressive and enlightened Canada.

http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4574

Let me begin by speaking about hope. During the 22nd visit to Canada by
Queen Elizabeth II last May, Her Majesty reminded us that we can “make a
difference” for those who will come after us. “If we make an effort in our
own
lives and in our way of improving the world around us,” she said, “we
will have
every reason to be proud of what we have accomplished.” That
observation is a
perfect reflection of the woman who is deeply concerned
about the fate of
humanity, whom I had the honour of meeting at Balmoral. It
is an expression of
hope that parallels my own.

I know how precious [....] freedom is, I know what a legacy it is for every
child, for every citizen of this country. I whose ancestors were slaves, who was
born into a civilization long reduced to whispers and cries of pain, know
something about its price, and I know too what a treasure it is for us all.

Every Canadian woman, every Canadian man prizes that freedom and would
defy anyone who tried to take it away – of that I have no doubt. From Signal
Hill to Vancouver Island, from Baffin Land to Thetford Mines, the freedom that
is ours unites us all. Freedom has marked our history and our territory, it has
marked our summer breezes and our howling winter winds. It has helped create the
spirit of adventure that I love above all in this country, this country where
each and every one of us is able to participate fully in the ongoing task of
building it.

.....And that is how I am determined that the position I occupy as of today
will be more than ever a place where citizens’ words will be heard, where the values of respect, tolerance, and sharing that are so
essential to me and to all Canadians, will prevail.

So the reflection of who we have been is melded with who we are now. The continuity of Canada past is brought into the present and the new Governor General expresses the national hope for the future. No longer attached to Britain as in the days of yore, Canada is defining itself on its own principles and national character and not always as in the context of " we are not Americans." It would be a mistake to rush from the arms of domineering Mother Britain into the lascivious embrace of dirty Uncle Sam. Here is the second point:

To do this is to ignore the realities of the world context that exists outside of the U.S. Context. The following article highlights why that is the wrong choice.

http://www.rabble.ca/politics.shtml?sh_itm=fe02adf09d8b998b8bff9ffcf6234f14&rXn=1

In world trade talks, Brazil, India, South Africa and China have shown their
ability to work together in opposition to U.S. initiatives.

In response to these changes in world politics, Canadian foreign policy has
fallen deeper into the trap set by continental economic
integration. As countries re-align, Canada sits passively in the NAFTA
protectionist fortress, emerging only to champion ill-conceived, dangerous and
downright criminal American trade initiatives on public services, investment and
intellectual property.

Duncan Cameron is associate publisher
of http://www.rabble.ca/

He writes from Vancouver. His column appears each Wednesday.

Thirdly, if we must copy another nation why not consider the example of Norway?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10415.htm

Just a few thoughts from the faerieshaman....Be well, Be aware, be discerning...it is our country!