Indecisive Canadians

Among the many commonly held stereotypes about Canadians, one of them is that as a whole, we are an indecisive country. We are fence sitters, unwilling to go entirely one way or another. Well tonight, after reading about Monday’s election, I discovered that our indecisiveness could select our next prime minister!

Did you know that the Governor General could decide who the next prime minister is? Neither did I until I read this article. It’s quite extensive, so I recommend you read it. Basically it says that if no party wins a majority, the Liberals can seek the confidence of the House, even if they have fewer seats than the Conservatives. Yet if Martin’s government is then quickly defeated in a confidence motion, Adrienne Clarkson could choose to either call another election, or appoint the Conservatives the task of forming government.

Interesting indeed. And all this time I though the Governor General was just a figurehead left over from the days of British rule.