Quotes by John Aimers

“She connected with the military in a way I know they appreciate, not only the brass but the serving soldiers who saw someone who had made a point of getting to know them.”

“Its a symbolic act on her part recognizing that the person who represents the Queen as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces doesnt want to be in a position where anyone might say she has divided loyalties. I dont believe for a second she would have had them, but symbols are important.”

“I think her overwhelming legacy is one of having made the office of Governor General visible and engaged in a way that it certainly hadnt been in at least a generation, if not more.”

“It was only early the next morning that I found out she had come to the service and left from her reception to go to her fathers deathbed.”

“I dont know the truth, ... I want to hear it from her lips.”

“I think she was very astute, along with the prime minister and her other advisers, to recognize that to let this go unanswered would have, in the minds of many, confirmed their worst suspicions.”

“Im happy the queen will be here when the government may fall. Its a great civics lesson.”

“I suppose one could construct Madame Clarksons very active involvement in these last few days and her coming to the ceremony as wanting to support the office and the institution in the face of some controversy thats been around Madame Jean, and a desire to be visible in support of her,”