[saturn_656]

Jonny_C Jonny_C:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

As the govenor general is unelected and is supposed to act on the advice of the PM, he doesn't have the legal or moral authority to negotiate anything on our behalf. He's a "rubber stamper".

Seems this reality is lost on some.

Aw, that's too bad. And here I was thinking I'd found the perfect solution.

BTW, do you have a sense of humour? (Poke poke)

I recognize your comment was made in jest.

[DrCaleb]

saturn_656 saturn_656:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

As the govenor general is unelected and is supposed to act on the advice of the PM, he doesn't have the legal or moral authority to negotiate anything on our behalf. He's a "rubber stamper".

Seems this reality is lost on some.

It was the Crown who originally negotiated treaties with the FN, so I can understand why they want the GG there. But many things have changed since then, and the GG position has little to no relevance to them now.

Even if the GG did show up at the meeting with Harper, he'd be there for a photo-op only. The British monarchs (and by extension, the GG) have devolved the vast majority of their powers to the elected bodies over hundreds of years.

Negotiating with the Crown means negotiating with Harper. Queen Elizabeth or her placeholders will not be negotiating for the government, now or in the future.

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government, the Crown is the State - and has next to no authority any more. The GG can listen to the Chiefs, and nod intently, but can't even validate their parking.

Which is why I think they included the GG just as a 'to see if he'd show' gesture.

[Gunnair]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

It was the Crown who originally negotiated treaties with the FN, so I can understand why they want the GG there. But many things have changed since then, and the GG position has little to no relevance to them now.

Even if the GG did show up at the meeting with Harper, he'd be there for a photo-op only. The British monarchs (and by extension, the GG) have devolved the vast majority of their powers to the elected bodies over hundreds of years.

Negotiating with the Crown means negotiating with Harper. Queen Elizabeth or her placeholders will not be negotiating for the government, now or in the future.

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government, the Crown is the State - and has next to no authority any more. The GG can listen to the Chiefs, and nod intently, but can't even validate their parking.

Which is why I think they included the GG just as a 'too see if he'd show' gesture.

A 'see how much and the government will jump' gesture I think.

[DrCaleb]

Gunnair Gunnair:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government, the Crown is the State - and has next to no authority any more. The GG can listen to the Chiefs, and nod intently, but can't even validate their parking.

Which is why I think they included the GG just as a 'too see if he'd show' gesture.

A 'see how much and the government will jump' gesture I think.

Yup. And something to blame on Ottawa for the failure of the talks.

[PJB]

I think that there should be a 'grassroots' organization of taxpayers that decide to blockade roads into native reserves and cut off power and communications for a few hours a day. It would be nothing more than a minor disruption in the natives lives right? Then we could all take expense paid trips to Ottawa and stay in fancy hotels, all expenses paid of course, and demand a meeting with whoever we decide.

Oh wait a second, that would never work because most of us taxpayers can't afford to take the time off because we have to pay taxes to cover the expenses of those who are 'entitled'.

[andyt]

Except the police would move in immediately to arrest them, and/or the natives would get violent but not be prosecuted

[PJB]

andyt andyt:

Except the police would move in immediately to arrest them, and/or the natives would get violent but not be prosecuted

Some what of a double standard but you are probably right. I'm sick of it all.

[saturn_656]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government, the Crown is the State - and has next to no authority any more. The GG can listen to the Chiefs, and nod intently, but can't even validate their parking.

Which is why I think they included the GG just as a 'to see if he'd show' gesture.

Maybe I worded my post poorly, but one way or the other we're on the same page.

[Jonny_C]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government

Technically, "any MP" is not correct. "Any MP on the government side" is closer.

Thomas Mulcair can't negotiate for the government.

And to be even more specific "any MP on the government side, and who has been empowered by the government" is the most accurate.

[DrCaleb]

Jonny_C Jonny_C:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Technically, not quite correct. Negotiating with Harper, or any MP is negotiating with the Government

Technically, "any MP" is not correct. "Any MP on the government side" is closer.

Thomas Mulcair can't negotiate for the government.

And to be even more specific "any MP on the government side, and who has been empowered by the government" is the most accurate.

True, dat. 'Government Minister" would suffice, I think.

[Jonny_C]

PJB PJB:

Oh wait a second, that would never work because most of us taxpayers can't afford to take the time off because we have to pay taxes to cover the expenses of those who are 'entitled'.

We retired folk would have the time and maybe the inclination for some peaceful blockades and "information slow-downs", but you can bet that we would be met by intimidation, violence and police action.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

I have decided I'm going on a hunger strike to get a meeting with the PM. I will only consume Rice Krispies and Dr Pepper.
No milk for the cereal though otherwise people won't take the hunger strike seriously.

[andyt]

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

I have decided I'm going on a hunger strike to get a meeting with the PM. I will only consume Rice Krispies and Dr Pepper.
No milk for the cereal though otherwise people won't take the hunger strike seriously.

Please don't post here while you do - a man on that much of a sugar rush is an ugly sight indeed. Maybe the pot will mellow you out tho.

[Freakinoldguy]

andyt andyt:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

As the govenor general is unelected and is supposed to act on the advice of the PM, he doesn't have the legal or moral authority to negotiate anything on our behalf. He's a "rubber stamper".

Seems this reality is lost on some.

It was the Crown who originally negotiated treaties with the FN, so I can understand why they want the GG there. But many things have changed since then, and the GG position has little to no relevance to them now.

after 1867 the crown passed on the treaties to the govt of Canada. The crown is no longer involved directly.

By using the Governor General as a ploy they're trying to plant the image in the minds of the Canadian people of the proud natives dealing directly with the Queen as one sovereign nation to another. Welcome to 1860?

It's a nice attempt at projection but it won't wash because they've taken far to much cash from successive Canadian Governments to ever allow them to turn back the clock to the time of Queen Victoria and start fresh.

At least we know what century their minds, morals and attitudes are locked into. No wonder they expect us to give them everything. For their financial purposes time has apparently stood still.

So it they want to go back to the 1800's lets do that and stop all the payments till every treaty is ratified, negotiated or renegotiated.

[Curtman]

andyt andyt:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

saturn_656 saturn_656:

As the govenor general is unelected and is supposed to act on the advice of the PM, he doesn't have the legal or moral authority to negotiate anything on our behalf. He's a "rubber stamper".

Seems this reality is lost on some.

It was the Crown who originally negotiated treaties with the FN, so I can understand why they want the GG there. But many things have changed since then, and the GG position has little to no relevance to them now.

after 1867 the crown passed on the treaties to the govt of Canada. The crown is no longer involved directly.

$1:

35. (1) The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.
(2) In this Act, "Aboriginal Peoples of Canada" includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
(3) For greater certainty, in subsection (1) "treaty rights" includes rights that now exist by way of land claims agreements or may be so acquired.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the aboriginal and treaty rights referred to in subsection (1) are guaranteed equally to male and female persons.

http://www.gg.ca/events.aspx?sc=1&lan=eng

$1:

The governor general acts on the advice of the prime minister and the government, but has the right to advise, to encourage and to warn.

One of the governor general’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a government in place that has the confidence of Parliament. In addition, the governor general holds certain reserve powers, which are exercised at his or her own discretion.

It is the governor general who summons, prorogues and dissolves Parliament, who delivers the Speech from the Throne, and who gives Royal Assent to acts of Parliament.