The Maritimes finally get a CFL team (the Halifax Privateers), and Toronto, fed up at last with the abuse heaped on it by the rest of the country, declares its intention to separate.
The monarchy is a joke at first, but gradually the king takes charge and becomes hugely popular. He establishes a new Thanksgiving tradition by replacing turkey with Canada goose. He gives an inspirational pep talk to Team Canada when it is down 4-2 in a gold medal game in the Olympics. (John, we need you in Vancouver.)
The king not only solves a number of vexing political issues, and but also turns Canada into a dominant world power. The country sets up an alternative to the United Nations, invades the Sudan, and becomes a haven for American immigrants as the US begins to implode.
Misc Observations
Only Canadians will pick up on everything in this book.
At some point the reader will have to decide how much of King John is a modern Utopia, and how much "A Modest Proposal."
For me the book was most fun when it was least serious. When Canada started flexing its muscles internationally, the political fairy tale became more like a political wet dream. But maybe that's the point.
King John of Canada was shortlisted for the 2008 Leacock Award for Humour.
Scott Gardiner is a very accomplished writer.
