Surprising to all but constitutional experts, wonks and Jean's predecessors, Canada's de facto head of state could have reasonably met Harper's unusual demand with one of her own. She could have told him to find in the Conservative caucus another leader with a better chance of commanding the confidence of the House of Commons.Some restoration, some democracy! Let's have our prime ministers and party leaders put in and out of their jobs at the whim of an unelected, unaccountable, appointed ceremonial figure with a very tightly limited set of constitutional powers.
What a restorative moment that would have been for this country's failing democracy.
Why can it never occur to someone as smart and well-informed as Jim Travers that it is the right and the duty of the caucus, the elected representatives of the Canadian people, to play this role. But even when they won't -- and we all endlessly tell them not to -- it's hardly reasonable to think it would improve things to have Ms. Jean impose her own preferences in their place. Let alone to call it democracy!
(h/t: Stephen)
