I can't find the article relating directly to the event in question but I did find a Letters to the Editor in the Calgary Sun today:
Quote:
I am disappointed with Haitian-born journalist Michaelle Jean, Canada's new Governor General. Jean adamantly refused to be sworn into her position as the Queen's representative in Canada by swearing on the Bible. Heritage Department officials have stated that no previous GG have ever refused the Bible. The selection of radical "non-believer" Jean by Prime Minister Paul Martin appears in line with the Liberals' on-going agenda to purge religion from the public square.
--Paul Kokoski
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What really irked me is that somebody out there believes that every member of the government regardless of their position, should absolutely take the oath on the bible. I don't understand why, it's necessary for the person to swear an oath on the bible to pledge allegiance to the Queen.
Does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom in Section 2, Article A not state the following:
Quote:
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
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Does that mean anybody in a governmental position is excluded from that particular section of the charter? Naturally, I emailed a letter to the Sun in respond similar to above and to be perfectly blunt, the bible has no place within our democracy. I see it as a choice made by the person in question and should not be forced upon.
What's your opinion and I'm curious as to what your government does in this kind of situation. I would imagine that by now, the Americans would have figured out to ban bibles from swearing-in ceremonies after a long history of banning any religious material from the justice system.
Edit: I did find this on wikipedia, strange enough CBC or CTV doesn't have anything on this.
Wikipedia Article
Quote:
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I can't find anything other than this fragment but this suggests she's probably an atheist or an agnostic, since she is not swearing in to the GG's post on a bible. Of note, "She's not going to swear on the Bible because she is not practising herself, so it would show a lack of respect to the people who have faith,"
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