Just to settle a little tiff that has arisen: that's her over there, Michaelle Jean. She's the governor general. She's the Canadian head of state.I know, there is that nice elderly lady in London. But she's not here. To do the job you have to be here. Just showing up counts for quite a bit.
Constitutionally, it's a bit like linguistic usage. If everyone says tomato instead of tomahto, tomato becomes correct. When the governor general does the job, she assumes the job.
Glad I could clear that up for you. Gee, I agree with Peter Russell!
Update, October 13: Andrew's on this too. (that's Smith, not Sullivan, you cosmopolitan blog readers). And my own longer ponderings on this subject from the LRC here.
Update: a comment from Australia. thanks Jim Belshaw.
