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Junk
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Canada's new GG.
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PM picks Quebecer, Haitian immigrant as next GG
CTV.ca News Staff
The new Governor-General of Canada will be an award-winning journalist who was born in Haïti and immigrated to Quebec as a child. Michaelle Jean will also be the youngest person to ever serve as the Queen's representative in Canada.
Jean, 47, has worked for CBC and Radio-Canada since 1988. She is currently the host of the Newsworld documentary series, The Passionate Eye. She presents a similar series on the French-language news channel, RDI.
Her name did not appear on any of the speculative "short lists" published in newspaper columns in recent months. In fact, Jean has a relatively low public profile in English Canada.
The more high-profile Adrienne Clarkson, who also came to the job from CBC-TV, is stepping down in September after serving six years at Rideau Hall.
"It sounds like another Adrienne Clarkson type appointment," John Aimers of the Monarchist League told CTV. "Someone who has not been involved in politics who comes from the world of media, who has obviously a compelling life story."
Jean will become Canada's 27th governor general at a pivotal time in politics, with the Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberals into their second year of a minority government.
The appointment of a Quebecer seemed inevitable – it was Quebec's turn, the Martin couldn't afford to ignore the province. Liberals aren't polling well in the province, and there are federal and provincial elections expected next year.
Jean will be the first Quebecer to be governor general since Jeanne Sauve served from 1984 to 1990.
Jean's CBC bio says she speaks five languages fluently (French, English, Spanish, Italian and Haitian Creole). She has studied at the University of Montreal, plus universities in Florence, Milan and Perugia, Italy.
Jean's family fled Haiti during the reign of Francois ("Baby Doc") Duvalier, and she is the niece of a well-known Haitian writer, Rene Depestre, who chronicled his country's social and political problems.
Clarkson suffered criticism for her spending while in office -- the budget jumped 70 per cent over her six years. But Clarkson's defenders say she opened up Rideau Hall to more visitors, handed out more awards and travelled extensively across Canada.
While she received occasional darts for her junkets overseas, laurels came her way for extensive travels to Canada's far north, and her New Year's holidays with Canadian troops serving in the Arabian Sea and Afghanistan.
Jean, who has a six-year-old daughter with filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond, may have that same kind of star power in Quebec.
"She's a model of integration," says Quebec MP Denis Coderre. "She's a francophone. It sends a good message of symbolism."
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http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca
Aside from my own personal views that the GG position be eliminated, this line stuck out to me as very telling given the current social nurturing of everything francophone in this country to the point of nauseum;
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The appointment of a Quebecer seemed inevitable – it was Quebec's turn, the Martin couldn't afford to ignore the province. Liberals aren't polling well in the province, and there are federal and provincial elections expected next year.
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And when is British Columbia's turn? Or Prince Edward Island's turn? Or Nova Scotia's turn? Or Newfoundland's turn? Or the Territories turn? Seems as thought the last 5 out of 10 GG's including the new one have or are francophones. Guess they were right. 50/50 split. Thankfully someone is on the ball.
A history of the GG since the 50's;
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Canadian Governors General
Vincent Massey
Born: Toronto, Ontario
Term: 1952-1959
Vincent Massey helped advance Canadian culture and national identity. Before being named Governor General, his work on the Massey Commission led to the establishment of the Canada Council and other arts programs. He supported the fledgling Stratford Festival, and invited writers to weekends at Rideau Hall. Through his efforts, the arts in Canada flourished.
As Governor General, Vincent Massey travelled widely. Where plane or ship couldn't reach, he went by canoe or dog team. Hoping to encourage others to explore Canada's territory, he established the Massey Medal for achievements in geographical exploration.
Full biography of Vincent Massey
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Georges P. Vanier
Born: Montreal, Quebec
Term: 1959-1967
Georges Vanier, the first French-Canadian Governor General, helped Canada forge national connections. His mandate saw the completion of the Trans-Canada highway and the launch of the new Canadian flag.
Governor General Vanier was a military hero, and had commanded the Royal 22nd Regiment. However, as Governor General, he was most known for his affection for young people. He and his wife Pauline travelled extensively and worked tirelessly to encourage youth. They created the Vanier Institute of the Family and established the Vanier Cup for university football.
Full biography of Georges Vanier
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Roland Michener
Born: Lacombe, Alberta
Term: 1967-1974
Roland Michener took office during Centennial year. As Canada celebrated its 100th birthday, the Governor General established a unique new system of Canadian honours, the Order of Canada. The distinctive snowflake pin recognizes those with outstanding lifetime achievements.
In the 1970s, Governor General Michener was a source of inspiration during the Participaction health and fitness campaign. Mr. Michener also helped Canada redefine itself, giving Royal Assent to legislation on Official Languages, Multiculturalism and a new immigration policy that opened Canada's doors to newcomers from all over the world.
Full biography of Roland Michener
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Jules Léger
Born: St-Anicet, Quebec
Term: 1974-1979
Jules Léger's tenure was characterized by informality, a sense of personal responsibility to the office and a belief that the Governor General's spouse should play a larger role in the duties of office. In fact, when Mr. Léger suffered a stroke six months after being appointed, Gabrielle Léger took on a number of official duties until his recovery. In recognition of this contribution, she appears in Governor General Léger's official portrait (to the right).
Mr. Léger's term saw some important responsibilities transferred from the Queen to the Governor General, including the responsibility to sign treaties and declarations of war.
Full biography of Jules Léger
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Edward Schreyer
Born: Beausejour, Manitoba
Term: 1979-1984
Edward Schreyer has been the youngest Canadian Governor General, appointed when he was 43. He brought his family to Ottawa, and with it, a homey feel to Rideau Hall.
Mr. Schreyer established the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, in recognition of the historical battle for the constitutional right of Canadian women to be considered persons in the law. During his mandate another important constitutional event took place, the 1982 Patriation of the Constitution and the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Full biography of Edward Schreyer
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Jeanne Sauvé
Born: Prud'homme, Saskatchewan
Term: 1984-1990
Jeanne Sauvé, the first woman to serve as Governor General, was a staunch advocate of youth and world peace. She established awards for students entering the field of special education for exceptional children as well as a foundation dedicated to youth excellence. In 1986, Mme Sauvé accepted on behalf of the 'People of Canada' the [Nansen Medal16], a prestigious international award for dedicated efforts to help refugees. This was the first time that the award was presented to a country.
Mme Sauvé was the first Governor General to grant Canadian Coats of Arms. She presided over the creation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority so that Canadians did not have to apply to Britain for these symbols.
Full biography of Jeanne Sauvé
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Ramon John Hnatyshyn
Born: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Term: 1990-1995
During the mandate of Governor General Hnatyshyn, Rideau Hall began to be known as a tourist destination. He encouraged the expansion of public tours of the residence and grounds and invited all Canadians to "Come Home to Rideau Hall" to enjoy their national heritage. He created the Governor General's Summer Concert Series, a popular annual music festival, and re-opened the historic skating rink to the public.
In 1992, Governor General Hnatyshyn established the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards and the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Arts, to honour lifetime achievement in such fields as drama, dance, music and patronage of the arts.
Full biography of Ramon Hnatyshyn
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Roméo LeBlanc
Born: Memramcook, New Brunswick
Term: 1995-1999
Governor General Romeo LeBlanc came from a small Acadian community with a tradition of people helping each other. Inspired by their example and by the Canadians he met during his mandate, Mr. LeBlanc established the Caring Canadian Award to honour volunteers who make a difference in their communities.
Mr. LeBlanc had a personal interest, dating from his days as a teacher, in encouraging the teaching of Canadian history to youth. This led to the establishment of the annual Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, as well as the creation of the Governor General's Canadian History Medal for the Millennium.
Full biography of Roméo LeBlanc
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Adrienne Clarkson
Born: Hong Kong, Immigrated to Canada in 1942
Term: 1999-present
Like one in six Canadians, Adrienne Clarkson was not born in this country. Her appointment as the first Governor General who came to Canada as a refugee reflects the increasingly diverse origins of our population.
As Governor General, Mme Clarkson encourages Canadians to build a compassionate society, and to continue to work together in caring and strong communities. Throughout her mandate, she and her husband John Ralston Saul have travelled from coast to coast to coast, meeting and bringing people together to discuss issues of concern to Canadians. As knowing and conscious patrons of the arts, they actively celebrate and encourage Canadian artistic excellence both at home and abroad.
Full biography of Adrienne Clarkson
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http://www.gg.ca/50/ggs_e.asp
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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.
Last edited by OFKU0; 08-03-2005 at 06:53 PM..
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