Thank you.
There's an awful lot in your comments. With respect to how to approach this, what I'm suggesting is that the decision-making of the Governor General's office has to have some better transparency. I've suggested one way of doing it; I've drawn the line at after-the-fact reasons. I think that in transforming a public institution we have to take baby steps. I'm not certain that giving after-the-fact reasons, in our present political culture, is wise.
I believe that it would be tremendously helpful for the Governor General to talk about the role of that office, such that there could be an understanding by the Prime Minister or by others as to.... Ahead of time, she could draw a line as to when she believes she would be entitled to use the reserve powers and when not.
You say that the culture now is such that she has to accept the advice of the Prime Minister. I think there's some debate about that. I think good arguments could have been made--either way--back in 2008 as to what she could have done. It would have been very difficult, to be sure. It would have been very difficult for her to refuse the advice of the Prime Minister.
Perhaps it would have been much easier if she had, ahead of time.... Well, she would never have anticipated the situation; I certainly can't suggest that. But if ahead of time there were rules set out in advance, that would strengthen the position of the Governor General, who could then later say that these rules have not been followed and this is why I'm now refusing the advice of the Prime Minister.