Section 2

The Woman in Newspaper Work... in 1931

(an excerpt from the 1931 Canadian Women's Press Club's February Newsletter)

"Newspaper life is not easy, but it carries with it a fascination that is stimulating. And there is born each day a new thrill when the paper comes down or up as the case may be, all hot from the press and you are party of it, a vital bit of one of the most important contributions to the moving spirit of progress. It is not to be put into words this joy of newspaperdom - the realization that you are a part of the machinery of the world and that within you lies the power to add to its saner, and richer and happier revolutions. There is no work that brings a finer return even though individually you are destined to remain unknown and unsung, nothing can take away from the satisfaction that warms the heart to find after, ir may be months of gentle and persistent hammering away at some thing, that it is accomplished and to realize that you were the factor to that end."

The Supremes still manage final say on same-sex marriage

So, at the end of the day, in a bizarre twist, it was the Supreme Court of Canada that ultimately made same-sex marriage the law of our land.

With the Governor General on leave for pacemaker surgery in Toronto, the responsibility to grant royal assent (the bill already passed by the House of Commons and the Senate) fell upon the Chief Justice.

Why? Well, that's the order of precedence, as established by the Letters of Patent of the Office of the Governor General, as decreed by his Majesty, King George VI:

Letters Patent Constituting
the Office of Governor
General of Canada

Effective October 1, 1947

VIII. And We do hereby declare Our pleasure to be that, in the event of the
death, incapacity, removal, or absence of Our Governor General out of
Canada, all and every the powers and authorities herein granted to him
shall, until Our further pleasure is signified therein, be vested in Our
Chief Justice for the time being of Canada, (hereinafter called Our Chief
Justice) or, in the case of the death, incapacity, removal, or absence of
Our Chief Justice, then in the Senior Judge for the time being of the
Supreme Court of Canada, then residing in Canada and not being under
incapacity; such Chief Justice or Senior Judge of the Supreme Court of
Canada, while the said powers and authorities are vested in him, to be known
as Our Administrator.

Provided always, that the said Senior Judge shall act in the administration
of the Government only if and when Our Chief Justice shall not be present
within Canada and capable of administering the Government.

Provided further that no such powers or authorities shall vest in such Chief
Justice, or other judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, until he shall have
taken the Oaths appointed to be taken by Our Governor General.

Provided further that whenever and so often as Our Governor General shall be
temporarily absent from Canada, with Our permission, for a period not
exceeding one month, then and in every such case Our Governor General may
continue to exercise all and every the powers vested in him as fully as if
he were residing within Canada, including the power to appoint a Deputy or
Deputies as provided in the Seventh Clause of these Our Letters Patent.
***

What isn't clear to me, because I've read/seen conflicting reports this evening, is whether it was the Chief Justice who physically granted royal assent, or if it was Justice Morris J. Fish. Now if it was Justice Fish (who is not the Deputy Governor General, despite the Globe and Mail's website proclaiming him to be so, "Bill C-38 was signed without fanfare Wednesday afternoon by Deputy Governor General Morris J. Fish, who was acting on behalf of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson."), who has only been on the Court for two years, that would mean that six - count 'em, six - justices with seniority above Fish were unavailable at this most historic of occasions.

Guess things like, y'know, civil rights and equality before the law can't compete with Muskoka or the Gatineaus in July.

But, everyone other than the Globe seems to think it was the Chief who signed off on it.

I'll try to confirm that during business hours.

Either way, the Supremes got the last laugh. Sorry Mr. Harper, it looks like it was the Court that got to legalize gay marriage afterall.

(With thanks to G.B. for interrupting my evening with this hysteria. :))

Update 7/21/05 12:28 pm
The Globe and Mail online article now reads as follows:

"Canada became the fourth country in the world Wednesday to legalize
same-sex weddings after the government's contentious civil marriage bill
received royal assent.

Bill C-38 was signed without fanfare Wednesday afternoon by Chief Justice
Beverley McLachlin, who was acting on behalf of Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson."

And, it is confirmed that Chief Justice McLachlin gave royal assent at 4:56 pm, July 20.

Cultural Sensitivity at Montreal City Hall?

Direct quote from this morning's Gazette from the city councillor responsible for intercultural relations in reference to the re-location proposal for the Carifiesta.

"We are open to discuss everything, to regrouping all the black people to see what is the best place for the event."

Umm, yeah. There's really nothing to say. It's just bad.

Finally, some new Damien

Regular readers may recall my strong affinity for Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice, whose hauntingly beautiful "Blower's Daughter" served as the main score for the film Closer. Mr. Rice's first album, "O", is masterful - the kind of disc you never tire of. Well, he's finally got a new single on the European charts. It's called Unplayed Piano, and it's available for download on his website.

About to give a listen.