Governor General's Power
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N o t e s

Who the Earl of Carnarvon was

Showing here, that in 1875, 8 years after Canada’s so-called 'confederation', no confederation had occurred as has erroneously been taught to Canadians.

    This shows that a Governor General, though he could decide as he pleased in the colonies of Britain resident in Canada and known later as the Dominion of Canada, was, in his decisions, expected to take into consideration the advice of governmental Ministers in Britain. His only 'restraint' was that he had to respectfully consider any impact his independent actions may have on Ministers back home in Britain. Apart from that he could determine and bring to pass whatever he pleased.(*).
    Obviously, Canada, not being a confederation was.unable.to act independently as a sovereign country could.

The Governor General got his authority from Letters Patent.

The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir H. Robinson, K.C., M.G. Downing St., 4th May, 1875.
 
".... Advice, this having been given to a Governor, he has to decide for himself how he will act ... 
    "But whether the case might be one more immediately concerning the internal administration of the Colony, or one of wider import, it has seemed to me, as well as to my predecessors, that the Royal Instructions not only lay down a sound Constitutional view, but provide a mode of procedure which is calculated to assist the Colonial Governments in the administration of justice without infringing upon the responsibility of Ministers.(in Britain and Britain's representatives in her colonies)
    "It is true that a Governor may (and indeed must, if in his judgment it seems right) decide in opposition to the advice tendered him. 
    "On the other hand a Governor who, by acting in opposition to the advice of his Ministers, has brought about their resignation, will obviously have assumed a responsibility for which he will have to account to Her Majesty's Government."

Sessional papers No. 116, Vol. IX — No. 8, 1876.

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Index of Canadian political history

Eternal Keys site

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