THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND THE HEAD OF STATE FUNCTIONS

Authors

  • THOMAS FRANCK

Abstract

The author points out that the “Head of State” is a great legal and political fiction that embodies the complex political functions of the government. To clarify the actual division of powers and illustrate the Governor General’s increasing stature and importance in Canada, he proposes to examine the authority behind those functions. He first discusses technical variations in the formal vesting power among the Commonwealth nations. He then sets out those executive functions performed exclusively by the Queen, and those performed by her sometimes. Finally, he introduces head of state functions performed by the Governor General, focusing on the discretionary power. He concludes with a survey of proposed changes in the Office of the Governor General.

Keywords:

Crown

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Published

1954-12-01

Issue

Section

Legal Commentary