LETTER – Cut off big pensions and post-term expense accounts for vice regals

Re: EDITORIAL – We should get rid of our free-spending governors-general

I’m surprised that there aren’t more comments on the Armchair Mayor’s editorial regarding the cost of governors-general (and by default lieutenants-governor in each province, and probably the commissioners of the territories may get the same perks).

It’s actually disgusting that this amount of money is spent on a primarily ceremonial role that dates back to the 1500s, when viceroys or governors were appointed by the French and British, and they thought they needed to uphold their respective empires and conquered territories.

 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governors_general_of_Canada

Obviously, those were the days before immediate communication channels, when someone and their army were thought to be needed on the ground and ready for action before any unrest or insurgency upset the empire, before a letter could be sent for help. 

Also, I wonder why our current governor-general can be bought into this role, considering all the hardships the French and British have inflicted on indigenous peoples’ culture and language. Why uphold a role that has historically ruined indigenous culture? 

It’s difficult to change the status quo without a constitutional change that most governments avoid getting into.  However, unless the pensions and post-term expenses of governors-general, lieutenants-governor and commissioners are written into Canada’s constitution, a good start would be to cut off their unnecessary pensions and post-term expenses, and only pay them while they have their current role (e.g. 1-8 years).

I hazard to guess that there are many retired and/or independently wealthy people who would love to be called Governor General, even for a short time, without citizens having to pay for unnecessary, forever pensions and expenses after they complete their official terms. 

These expenses are especially concerning given that we are in a housing crisis, escalating inflation, and sending billions to fight wars.

If any political party vowed to get rid of the pensions and expenses after the governors’ terms are completed, it would swing my vote. 

COLLEEN McCLEAN