In Canada, the commander in chief is the Governor General, an appointed vanity position usually given to academics or journalists, etc.

I'm pretty sure no independent military decision has not been made by a GG since the 19th century. Policy is given by the Prime Minister with the cabinet, and actually carried out by the high-ranking generals. Things have gone terribly wrong if the Governor General is actually giving their own military orders. The position is symbolic, representing the Crown, and thus the state's, ultimate authority over the military.