Michaëlle Jean appointed Canadian governor-general.
August 3, 2005 7:15 PM Subscribe
Michaëlle Jean to be appointed Canada's new governor-general on October 1, following the retirement of Adrienne Clarkson. With the Queen's formal approval, she will become the first black person to take the office, and the third woman.
Sure, a black woman...but another ex-CBC employee? And only 37 yrs old?
When I was a kid my parents made me memorize the names of the various GovGens, and not a one of them seemed to be younger than 60.
Should be interesting reading the oped sections of the Globe...
posted by bobloblaw at 7:24 PM on August 3, 2005
When I was a kid my parents made me memorize the names of the various GovGens, and not a one of them seemed to be younger than 60.
Should be interesting reading the oped sections of the Globe...
posted by bobloblaw at 7:24 PM on August 3, 2005
I'm a canuck, and I've got a lot of respect for the GG and all, heck, there's even a photo of my father getting the MMM from Clarkson on my mantelpiece, but is this really worth bringing up on Metafilter? This isn't of much interest outside of Canada and even inside Canada it's pretty much what they predicted, someone who is bilingual and from Quebec.
Personally, I think she's great for the job but a bit disappointed that just like her predecessor she's a former CBC journalist. Romeo Dallaire would have been a better pick.
posted by furtive at 7:26 PM on August 3, 2005
Personally, I think she's great for the job but a bit disappointed that just like her predecessor she's a former CBC journalist. Romeo Dallaire would have been a better pick.
posted by furtive at 7:26 PM on August 3, 2005
Hot damn, that's one good looking governor-general.
posted by nightchrome at 7:46 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by nightchrome at 7:46 PM on August 3, 2005
Wow. Interesting choice.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:10 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:10 PM on August 3, 2005
All you Americans looking to book it up here, keep this in mind - as much as you hate your head of state, she's ours, not to mention being the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. An appointed, unelected, unaccountable TV personality/journalist.
Can you tell I'm not a monarchist?
posted by loquax at 8:18 PM on August 3, 2005
Can you tell I'm not a monarchist?
posted by loquax at 8:18 PM on August 3, 2005
Dude, she has almost no actual power whatsoever.
posted by nightchrome at 8:22 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by nightchrome at 8:22 PM on August 3, 2005
Oh, you know, there was that big debacle when Adrienne Clarkson decided to order the Canadian army to invade Denmark. It's a very important role with a lot of important, unchecked power. Especially with all those speeches.
Seriously, loquax, wtf.
posted by blacklite at 8:35 PM on August 3, 2005
Seriously, loquax, wtf.
posted by blacklite at 8:35 PM on August 3, 2005
When I first saw the CBC page, I thought they'd added the wrong photo to the story - dude, I thought she was 28 or so in that photo. She is hot.
That aside, a very neat choice, she seems very interesting, though I have to agree that another CBC person is a bit blah. Then again, we're going to have the hottest head of state anywhere. Go us!
posted by livii at 8:36 PM on August 3, 2005
That aside, a very neat choice, she seems very interesting, though I have to agree that another CBC person is a bit blah. Then again, we're going to have the hottest head of state anywhere. Go us!
posted by livii at 8:36 PM on August 3, 2005
Oh man, as an Australian this is embarrasing.
We also have a Governer General. However, Australia is very happy to only select white , male Governer Generals.
How come you Canadians are so much less British? Why no cricket or Union Jack on your flag. You make us look quaint.
posted by sien at 8:36 PM on August 3, 2005
We also have a Governer General. However, Australia is very happy to only select white , male Governer Generals.
How come you Canadians are so much less British? Why no cricket or Union Jack on your flag. You make us look quaint.
posted by sien at 8:36 PM on August 3, 2005
sien, don't let the symbolism deceive you. Only doohickey positions like the GC get the token females or ethnic minorities appointed to them. Less so nowadays, but by and large Canada is still a place run by white males for white males.
posted by randomstriker at 8:42 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by randomstriker at 8:42 PM on August 3, 2005
sien, it's called "evolution"...
posted by nightchrome at 8:44 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by nightchrome at 8:44 PM on August 3, 2005
randomstriker, hey now, we had a female prime minister for awhile, even if she was seen as a fantastic failure.
posted by nightchrome at 8:47 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by nightchrome at 8:47 PM on August 3, 2005
Dude, she has almost no actual power whatsoever.
Hardly the point. Call me crazy, but I'd rather live in a country with no such thing as Royal Prerogative. Especially *British* Royal Prerogative (and don't forget King-Byng!). I also have a feeling that the millions of dollars spent on such pomp could be better used elsewhere. And if we must have a figurehead to open malls and attend minor foreign funerals, why not have it be a representative of the Canadian people, not a representative of Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
posted by loquax at 8:49 PM on August 3, 2005
Hardly the point. Call me crazy, but I'd rather live in a country with no such thing as Royal Prerogative. Especially *British* Royal Prerogative (and don't forget King-Byng!). I also have a feeling that the millions of dollars spent on such pomp could be better used elsewhere. And if we must have a figurehead to open malls and attend minor foreign funerals, why not have it be a representative of the Canadian people, not a representative of Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
posted by loquax at 8:49 PM on August 3, 2005
Hubba-Hubba. First GG that I've ever said that about! As for nightchrome's remark...
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 9:05 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 9:05 PM on August 3, 2005
loquax, I think you just have to sit pretty for another decade or two until the Queen dies.
I have funny feeling Canadians are not going to feel right about putting King Chucky on our money.
I mean the guy wanted to be a damn tampon for christsakes!
posted by toftflin at 9:10 PM on August 3, 2005
I have funny feeling Canadians are not going to feel right about putting King Chucky on our money.
I mean the guy wanted to be a damn tampon for christsakes!
posted by toftflin at 9:10 PM on August 3, 2005
loquax, if you think you don't have a royal family in power, you're a loon. How many of the Bush family have been governors and presidents and heads of government organizations? You might not call them royal, but there sure seems to be a familial lineage thing happening there.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:30 PM on August 3, 2005
posted by five fresh fish at 9:30 PM on August 3, 2005
fff: No no, I'm Canadian.
As for the Bushes, well, people just keep electing them, for better or worse. Or not electing them, as George the first found out. Martin's dad was almost PM too, only to be stymied by Trudeau, who's son would likely win in a landslide if he were to run in a few years. Not too different. Except for the fact that the only way to kick out our dynasty is by changing the constitution.
posted by loquax at 9:55 PM on August 3, 2005
As for the Bushes, well, people just keep electing them, for better or worse. Or not electing them, as George the first found out. Martin's dad was almost PM too, only to be stymied by Trudeau, who's son would likely win in a landslide if he were to run in a few years. Not too different. Except for the fact that the only way to kick out our dynasty is by changing the constitution.
posted by loquax at 9:55 PM on August 3, 2005
I only know her from her hosting duties on Newsworld. I guess she'll be fine. It's all ribbon cutting and event hosting stuff anyways - with a kickass salary and benefits.
Romeo Dallaire is already a senator, can he hold both positions? I thought the GG had to be seen as non-political, since it represents the monarch.
posted by Salmonberry at 10:17 PM on August 3, 2005
Romeo Dallaire is already a senator, can he hold both positions? I thought the GG had to be seen as non-political, since it represents the monarch.
posted by Salmonberry at 10:17 PM on August 3, 2005
I have a feeling most GGs in the last 50 years (or more?) have been obvious patronage appointments (Wikipedia seems to agree). It is very refreshing that we have gotten away from that ugliness. I do appreciate the 'another CBC personality' criticism, but I guess we will just have to let the Conservatives appoint Andrew Coyne when they finally get elected - he might still be alive.
Oh, but wait... (from the Wikipedia entry)
He is also the cousin of Deborah Coyne, who had a baby with Pierre Trudeau in 1991 and later married columnist Michael Valpy.
So maybe he has too much Liberal taint.
Anyway, I was never a huge Chretien fan, but breaking up the patronage of the GG post seems to be another thing we can thank him for.
posted by Chuckles at 11:24 PM on August 3, 2005
Oh, but wait... (from the Wikipedia entry)
He is also the cousin of Deborah Coyne, who had a baby with Pierre Trudeau in 1991 and later married columnist Michael Valpy.
So maybe he has too much Liberal taint.
Anyway, I was never a huge Chretien fan, but breaking up the patronage of the GG post seems to be another thing we can thank him for.
posted by Chuckles at 11:24 PM on August 3, 2005
This is good news.
I have no comment on her 'hotness', and I'm not going to be all cynical re: the effectiveness of the GG's position. I'm glad the position was filled by an intelligent and worldly person. I'm sure she'll do a great job.
(now, if only Daniel Richler would enter politics...)
posted by Radio7 at 1:09 AM on August 4, 2005
I have no comment on her 'hotness', and I'm not going to be all cynical re: the effectiveness of the GG's position. I'm glad the position was filled by an intelligent and worldly person. I'm sure she'll do a great job.
(now, if only Daniel Richler would enter politics...)
posted by Radio7 at 1:09 AM on August 4, 2005
loquax, the kind of 'don't criticize the preznit' attitude you see in certain places where the head of state is also the head of judgment should make you want to hold a beauty contest to determine our country's head of state, just to get as far away from that nonsense as possible.
posted by Space Coyote at 1:29 AM on August 4, 2005
posted by Space Coyote at 1:29 AM on August 4, 2005
randomstriker, hey now, we had a female prime minister for awhile, even if she was seen as a fantastic failure.
Yes, I particularly liked how she had to be handled when she kept telling people she had a masters degree... and didn't. (well, she was in a masters program... good enough, no?)
posted by dreamsign at 2:25 AM on August 4, 2005
Yes, I particularly liked how she had to be handled when she kept telling people she had a masters degree... and didn't. (well, she was in a masters program... good enough, no?)
posted by dreamsign at 2:25 AM on August 4, 2005
gods, Radio7. Daniel Richler as governor general... now, there's a thought.
posted by dreamsign at 2:26 AM on August 4, 2005
posted by dreamsign at 2:26 AM on August 4, 2005
Daniel Richler as governor general... now, there's a thought.
I would love to see if he would change his clothing based on who he is meeting just like he did for The New Music.
posted by srboisvert at 3:05 AM on August 4, 2005
I would love to see if he would change his clothing based on who he is meeting just like he did for The New Music.
posted by srboisvert at 3:05 AM on August 4, 2005
randomstriker, I beg to differ. Here are the women in the current cabinet, and let us not forget the sixty-five women who are currently members of the House of Commons.
I think our country does better than most when it comes to members of parliament irregarless of sex or race. Just comparing the current women in the current House of Commons we find: the first Canadian of Taiwanese origin elected to the House of Commons, the two first women of Indian origin elected to the House of Commons, the first woman of Japanese origin elected to the House of Commons, . Also, let's not forget Inuit and many women of colour.
posted by furtive at 4:36 AM on August 4, 2005
I think our country does better than most when it comes to members of parliament irregarless of sex or race. Just comparing the current women in the current House of Commons we find: the first Canadian of Taiwanese origin elected to the House of Commons, the two first women of Indian origin elected to the House of Commons, the first woman of Japanese origin elected to the House of Commons, . Also, let's not forget Inuit and many women of colour.
posted by furtive at 4:36 AM on August 4, 2005
sien: Some people play cricket in Canada. They're all Indian and Pakistani, though.
We got our current flag in 1965, and there was a big debate about getting rid of the union jack. All the conservatives wanted to keep it, but liberals wanted a uniquely Canadian symbol.
posted by j0hnnyb at 6:09 AM on August 4, 2005
We got our current flag in 1965, and there was a big debate about getting rid of the union jack. All the conservatives wanted to keep it, but liberals wanted a uniquely Canadian symbol.
posted by j0hnnyb at 6:09 AM on August 4, 2005
Semi-OT interesting fact of Canadian politics: the leader of the Liberal party is a franco-Ontarian who holds a seat in Quebec, while the leader of the NDP is an anglo-Quebecer who holds a seat in Ontario.
posted by clevershark at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2005
posted by clevershark at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2005
So... what the hell is a governor general? Oh, it's a prestige-only commonwealth thing? What does she actually do, aside make appearances and look pretty?
I'd be more impressed at the third woman, first black woman part if she were elected. Cool, yes. Hot, yes (more cute than hot). Interesting? Eh.
posted by mrgrimm at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2005
I'd be more impressed at the third woman, first black woman part if she were elected. Cool, yes. Hot, yes (more cute than hot). Interesting? Eh.
posted by mrgrimm at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2005
What does she actually do, aside make appearances and look pretty?
Well, that's sort of the point. Mainly, it means that the Canadian PM can't get away with playing military dress-up. I don't doubt that in time, there'll be a fairly smooth transition to a parliamentary republic with a 'weak' president.
posted by holgate at 5:13 AM on August 5, 2005
Well, that's sort of the point. Mainly, it means that the Canadian PM can't get away with playing military dress-up. I don't doubt that in time, there'll be a fairly smooth transition to a parliamentary republic with a 'weak' president.
posted by holgate at 5:13 AM on August 5, 2005
But what will the new Governor-General do about the pirate menace? The Russian threat? The Native troubles on the Frontier? Her Excellency must address these problems lest the Colonists take up arms in Rebellion!
Oh, wait, wrong century. Never mind.
posted by trigonometry at 10:12 AM on August 5, 2005
Oh, wait, wrong century. Never mind.
posted by trigonometry at 10:12 AM on August 5, 2005
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