Joseph Planta's Commentary - thecommentary.ca

Friday, 01 October 2004

An idea of a Governor General

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER - Perhaps the brightest thing at Paul Martin's cabinet swearing in this past summer was none other than Her Excellency herself. Forget the new ministers, or the face of the minority Liberal government, it was the elegantly coiffed Governor General, in a Yumi Eto number, that seemed the most interesting thing to watch. Forget the passing of history and the auspicious moments in the lives of those so honoured to take the oath of the Privy Council, a rather bleak political story was coloured only by Adrienne Clarkson's distinct presence.

When Adrienne Clarkson was installed as Canada's - Governor General nearly five years ago, it was very easy for those talking heads on television and radio to poke fun at the refined and worldly former CBC television personality. Here was of course, what Larry Zolf once called the greatest WASP ever, having worked in government as Ontario's Agent General in France, conquered the CBC as one of its top personalities, a scion in Canada's culture industry, a former refuge born in Hong Kong. It was a charming life, from less than charmed roots. Then, just as she was installed Canada's Head of State, she insisted on being addressed as Madame Clarkson, and when she visited British Columbia requested that taxpayers foot a bill at Victoria's Empress Hotel, rather than stay at Government House, which by chance the Queen managed to stomach in 2002. Then came the government's insistence that the nation's top office, that of Her Majesty's agent in Canada, be subjected to line-by-line scrutiny in the House of Commons's Public Accounts Committee, after some in the press and in the political class expressed dismay at the exorbitant costs of a junket led by the Governor General and her consort, John Ralston Saul. The office of the Governor General was in disrepute, with republicans calling for its abolition. Her Excellency managed an appearance on CBC Newsworld's Politics program with Don Newman to defend the said junket to the circumpolar nations of the globe saying, she was not going to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to testify because she was, as it were, "above politics." Clarkson didn't mean to sound as if she were above politics, no, she insisted that she was above politics.

In a seemingly difficult quest to defend the cost of the monarchy in this country and to sustain the costs incurred by the office of the Governor General, one realises that the dismay may come from the fact that Madame Clarkson has acted as a lightening rod for the criticism, undue or not. It's easy to disdain Clarkson and her husband Ralston Saul. They're steeped in the cultural elite of this country. He, a successful author, not to mention the nation's pre-eminent philosopher. His books have gotten to the nub of what it is this country attempts to be, as well he's a popular figure amongst academics and the mucky mucks who like to wring their hands regarding the nation's meaning and what not. She, of course, the CBC television personality, who was once such a good journalist that Don Hewitt and Mike Wallace wanted her for 60 Minutes. Clarkson then conducted high television interviews with some of the nation's brightest, not to mention the world's. Her Adrienne Clarkson Presents was a fixture on the CBC, which ended up getting the host herself skewered by comics. Say what you will about the Vice Regal couple, and their perceived biases, one can't say they have done a terrible job in representing Canadians in serving their mandate.

On a sleepless night recently, I was channel surfing and I came across CPAC's umpteenth re-broadcast of a recent Order of Canada investiture. Her Excellency looked regal and well-coiffed and she did her duty of pinning the ribbons and shaking hands well. She also didn't look stuffy enough to make any of the honourees uncomfortable. Her remarks at the start of the ceremony were as usual, crisply delivered and grand. Her off-the-cuff remarks at the end of the programme were delightful, personable and entertaining. She captured in her short time at the lectern the immense meaning of what the ceremony just had meant, not only for those so honoured, but the rest of Canadians who are expected by virtue of our citizenship to desire a better country. She knows how to work a room, and she knows how to make Canadians feel good about their country, and though not all of its institutions, at the very least, proud of the office of Governor General.

The task of being a Governor General is not often an easy task. It is often thankless, and rightfully so for those individuals who have filled the role thanks to a political patronage appointment. Now, perhaps Clarkson's appointment was political, it has been a comfort to know that she herself hasn't waded into political issues. (Her husband, when his recent book On Equilibrium was released had some passages which were a tad political, and at the time, was properly hauled on the carpet by some MPs and the media.) Clarkson has acquitted herself with great equanimity and class, and has been a credit to the Canadians she has represented ably these past five years.

Since it's been nearly five years since this Governor General began her task, it had been whispered by the chattering classes that the Martin regime was cool to an extension of Clarkson's sinecure. Prime Minister Martin, perhaps wishing to put his stamp on his own legacy, may have wanted to appoint someone forthwith, however with the tenuous election result and the minority government Clarkson's grace and favour stay at Rideau Hall was renewed yesterday for one more year.

What Adrienne Clarkson's legacy is from her tenure as Governor General thus far is that she has acquitted herself well, and done an outstanding job at bringing the office to the country. If you need convincing, watch the CBC documentary An Idea of Canada, which follows the vice-regal duo on a tour of the country, meeting ordinary Canadians. It is a well made film that captures the essence of the monarchy and its role in Canada's history, as well as Clarkson and Ralston Saul at their candid and unrehearsed. It's akin to the documentary made at the 40th anniversary of Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne, which followed the Queen on a year of her activities, A Year in the Life.

In An Idea of Canada, Clarkson travels to the Queen Charlottes, to the north, and to far points in Atlantic Canada. Along the way she does the vice regal stuff like taking salutes, inspecting honour guards, giving speeches, unveiling plaques, posing for pictures, and greeting plains folk who've come to gawk and cheer. As well, Clarkson and company do the stuff that regular folk do like hike, ride sleds and the sort. It's a telling film, and proof positive of this Governor General's good work in bridging the gap between her office and the Canadian people she represents. Where she was, one forgets, but there's a tea party where the Governor General is at the buffet noshing on the many snacks put out in her honour. She greets the others at the tea party, and indulges a woman who is obviously a fan, with such attention and warmth, that I'm sure it made the woman's day; not only to get up close with the office, but the woman whose career and life has been admirable if not inspiring to some.

Adrienne Clarkson was up against a lot when she was installed as Canada's Governor General. The cynicism surrounding her appointment may be prevalent still, but her tenure and what she's done to modernise the office should only disarm her critics. There were a couple lengthy pieces, one in the National Post, and the other in Maclean's, whereupon the authors profiled Clarkson and her accomplishments these past five years. They hit upon the same theme, that though her tenure hasn't always been pleasant - thanks to some in the media doubtless - she has done a fine job in representing Canadians. The Post's John Fraser composed a lengthy piece entitled, "Excellency." Julian Beltrame's essay in Maclean's was entitled "Simply the Best." Though the role of Commander-in-Chief is largely ceremonial, Clarkson has not failed in reaching out to those who serve at home and abroad. Her remarkable championing of our armed forces and peacekeepers, has served Canadians in good stead in rather harried times.

Her gift of oratory, not to mention to relate to Canadians along the way, has set her apart from some of her predecessors. It's probably her experience in the media that accounts for her immense skills, but in speeches, whether her installation speech, or at the service for the Unknown Soldier, or the number of Throne Speeches she's delivered, they've been remarkable exercises in speaking for Canadians, not with smugness or bravado, but confidence and hopefulness for the nation, as well as its past.

They've given Her Excellency an extension until next summer, whereupon it is expected that a new Governor General will be chosen. Once that successor is chosen, it will be incumbent on Clarkson's successor that they continue and advance the remarkable work that this Governor General has done in but five years. For failing to do so, would render the institution irrelevant, and it'll only be a matter of time, when the cacophony of voices demanding its abolition will only get stronger.

-30-

Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca

An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .