The role of the governor general changed greatly after the Rebellions of 1837, soon after which the British government agreed to grant the Canadian provinces responsible government. As a result the governor general and lieutenant governors became largely nominal heads (=decorative - M.S.) while democratically-elected legislatures and provincial premiers held real authority (то есть декоративный он уже 181 год)
During the First and Second World Wars, the Governor General's role turned from one of cultural patron and state ceremony to one of military inspector and morale booster - и это "командующий"? *In light of changing attitudes towards Canadian identity and the rise of the Quebec sovereignty movement, the images and role of the monarchy were cautiously downplayed.
So, the "top" function was "booster". And then even it evaporated *:-D
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алексей бычков