I would do what the French President, Emmanuel Macron, had the courage to do. I would publicly recognize that colonization is a crime against humanity. And I would extend the hand of reconciliation.
The Queen of England is the sovereign and head of state of Canada. The Governor General is supposed to be his official representative in Canada. He is supposed to exercise daily and fully the duties of Head of State throughout the conquered Canadian territory.
He is also supposed to exercise the duties of Head of State abroad. And besides, he’s supposed to be the Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
A constructive approach
So, if I were Governor General, I would not consider this function either as an end in itself, or as a source of personal interest.
My fundamental objective would be to exercise the power conferred on me to reconcile all of Canada and keep Quebec in the Union.
I would put an end to the many fraudulent acts of the federal government in the affairs of Quebec. Since Maurice Duplessis, Quebec has constantly denounced attempts by Ottawa to usurp Quebec’s ability to set its specific priorities.
The spending power held by the federal government in Quebec is a real irritant within Canadian federalism. I would end it.
I would respond positively to the historical demands of Quebec in matters of immigration, culture, communication and language. And I would give guarantees on the maintenance and consistency of its political weight in the House of Commons.
Respect for Quebec
I would protect the integrity of the Quebec law on secularism.
I would make sure that a bill intended to exempt Quebec from the law on Canadian multiculturalism in favor of interculturalism is passed and applied.
I would recognize that Quebec is a nation free to decide its own destiny.
And I would commit to having that enshrined in the Constitution.
In short, I would make sure that Quebec obtained all the powers it was asking for under the aegis of Robert Bourassa and René Lévesque.
For diversity
In addition, I would take care of the injuries and stigma that arose from federal Indian law. Tangible proof of systemic racism.
French is a minority and fragile language in North America.
Also, it is with determination that I would watch over the vitality and sustainability of the expression of this language throughout Canada.
The masquerade
But unfortunately that will not happen, because this function is only a masquerade. “Governor General” in Canada is a radioactive artifact of the British Colonial Empire.
“Governor General” in Canada is the permanent signature of British colonial rule. A bitter symbol. And a vast majority of people in Quebec expect nothing from it.
For generations, this artefact has reminded the collective memory that in 1759, the English defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec. That is the end.
–
