Payette had no concept

Re: Payette quits, Jan. 22

The news that the governor general had resigned her position brought a welcome sigh of relief from many including myself. Unlike her predecessor, who was the soul of exactitude in the fulfilment of his duties, Ms. Payette courted controversy from the start. Being a Christian I was none too pleased to have the governor general, at the beginning of her tenure, mock those of us who profess a faith, in one of her first speeches. She along with others are at liberty to believe in whatsoever they so wish, but having the viceregal representative mocking Canadians during her first weeks in office did nothing to endear her to fellow Canadians.

The issue of the monarchy has now come under scrutiny due to this resignation, when in fact it need not be. The person failed in their job, not the institution of monarchy. One cannot fathom Her Majesty treating her staff in the manner that Ms. Payette is supposed to have done. The role of the GG is and always has been to represent the Sovereign and carry out the duties and responsibilities on behalf of our Head of State, that is The Queen.

We have always been a constitutional monarchy in Canada and it has served our country well. For any GG to bring the role and indeed the institution of our monarchy into controversy speaks of a person who is not well acquainted with their role in this position. Ms. Payette apparently had no concept of her role at all.

Regina Silva Robinson,

Toronto