Novelties test the stability and adaptability of institutions. Thus it will be this week with a new prime minister, for the first time never having held elected office. Not for the first time, the new PM is not an MP and, while anomalous, that is not at all a problem. There will be extra work at Rideau Hall this week, but not a whit of uncertainty about what to do.

It is opportune to think in these days about the Canadian constitutional tradition of Crown-in-Parliament — and to strengthen our constitutional institutions, including the role of the Governor General as the representative of Charles III, King of Canada.