Don’t get your panties in a knot—yes yes, everybody deserves a modicum of respect no matter what, just for being God’s children. So cool your jets. But when it comes to the appointment of Leader Of All The Land, the choice has to command far more than a modicum of respect from the citizenry. And it certainly shouldn’t reek of Liberal politics.
A good place to start might have been to pick somebody about whom Canadians wouldn’t immediately ask: “who in tarnation is that?”
Friend of this web site Charles Adler, of nationally broadcast radio show Adler On Line (listen online—see our “Listen Live” links) sent us his latest column, originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press. Find it in the Columnist section—it’s called “GG fits political criteria Martin was looking for”.
Here’s a snippet:
[…] Despite what you might hear from others about how complicated the decision is to pick a governor general, it is probably the easiest decision a truly confident non-poll-driven prime minister could ever make. The pick has to be someone who demonstrably, to virtually everyone’s satisfaction, has performed an important service for Canadians. The pick has to be someone that many million of Canadians would declare as an obviously good choice.
Every country, no matter how small has men and women who have that capacity. When you see the name of the new governor general on the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press, it should be someone who you immediately recognize and respect. If you see the name and ask your spouse or colleague the question, “Who the hell is that?” it means the prime minister has screwed up. […]
Aside from Charles Adler‘s column, the Edmonton Sun‘s editorial sums it up well, as does the National Post’s Paul Garvey.
Here’s part of the Edmonton Sun editorial – “One more western snub”:
[…] With the announcement last week that someone called Michaelle Jean will be passed the vice-regal torch from the failing hands of Adrienne Clarkson this fall, the Ottawa Liberals have once again demonstrated they don’t get it.
Already being referred to as “Michaelle Who?” Jean is hardly the respected, credible national figure that Albertans and Canadians expect in a Governor General.
But rather, it’s a crass and cynical attempt by the manipulative Liberals to appease Quebecers who have been going over to the separatist Bloc Quebecois in droves, following the disgusting revelations of the Gomery inquiry about the inherently corrupt nature of the federal Liberal party.
Jean’s apparent qualifications for the job are that she’s black and an immigrant, and has somewhat of a profile as a newsreader on French CBC (notice the connection here).
But most of all she’s from Quebec.
Outside of that she’s a total unknown anywhere else west of the Ottawa River.
At one time in our country’s history, when the bonds with the old country were stronger, British aristocrats were sent over to do the governor general’s job.
This was hardly a satisfactory situation for a supposedly independent country. But at least a few of them left behind some fine sports trophies.
They were replaced by a series of distinguished Canadians who earned their respect because of their exemplary military and diplomatic records.
Neither Adrienne Clarkson nor, apparently, Michaelle Jean have any of this to offer.
Jean also comes with a fifth-wheel in the name of Jean-Daniel Lafond – a taxpayer-supported documentary filmmaker.
Hopefully he can take a hint from the present vice-regal couple’s follies and remains in the shadows – seldom seen and never heard. […]
Bruce Garvey from the National Post says in his column “Michaelle Jean as Lord Byng? I think not”:
It could have been worse, I suppose. Coming from Paul Martin, our new Governor-General might have been Bono.
As it is, the appointment of Michaelle Jean, an obscure Haitian-born TV host from French CBC, is appalling enough.
Let me confess right away that, like the majority of Canadians, I have never heard of Michaelle Jean, never set eyes on her on TV. She may be nothing more than a boob-tube bimbo, or she could be reasonably smart. I really don’t know.
What I do know—without a doubt—is that she is unqualified to become Governor-General. This vitally important office has apparently become the political extension of the CBC’s ongoing diversity campaign. The two driving forces behind the appointment are politically correct multiculturalism and the lamentable state of the Liberal party in Quebec.
I have never been an admirer of Adrienne Clarkson as a journalist or Governor-General. Having spent long years at the CBC trough, she brought free spending to Rideau Hall, treating her chattering-class Rosedale pals to $5-million circumpolar junkets and other extravagences.
[…] Mme. Jean, 48, came to Montreal as an 11-year-old when her family fled Papa Doc Duvalier’s Haiti—though as her subsequent education attests, it wasn’t on a raft to Florida. She went to university in Montreal, Florence, Milan and Perugia, Italy—which must have cost a buck or two—and along the way learned French, English, Spanish, Italian, and Haitian Creole.
To Paul Martin, she’s no sop to Quebec but the very “story of Canada,” with an extraordinary career in broadcasting. In English Canada, however, that career consists of introducing the foreign-made documentaries featured on The Passionate Eye, and the less-than-flagship Rough Cuts.
In Quebec, she’s made a few documentaries and won a few minor awards, like almost everyone in a self-congratulating industry that flings them about like confetti. Such work and accolades is hardly the stuff that qualifies one to be the Governor-General.
Liberal spin doctors were earnestly touting her yesterday as a monumental gesture to Quebec youth and a shining new federal voice in the land of the Bloc (though Jacques Parizeau’s pur laine supporters might beg to differ). As for Paul Martin’s sacred mission to rid the West of alienation, this appointment provides another nail for the coffin.
Attractive and charming as Mme. Jean and her adopted Haitian daughter might be, Canadians look to Rideau Hall for something a little more substantial than a winning smile and the rare patter of little feet about the place.
Go to the Columnist section and read Charles Adler’s column.
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
Contact Mr. Johannesen about this article using this form. Please refer to article's title.
FOLLOW @JoelJohannesen ON X!
- Say something. - Friday October 25, 2024 at 6:03 pm
- Keep going, or veer right - Monday August 26, 2024 at 4:30 pm
- Hey Joel, what is “progressive?” - Friday August 2, 2024 at 11:32 am
