Generally Speaking

It is remarkable how important one’s allegiances are when you become the Governor General of this country.

Tomorrow, Canada is going to get a new GG, Michaelle Jean. She was born in Haiti, grew up in Montreal, took up a career in journalism and has worked for Radio-Canada and the CBC. She’s also fluent in five languages, and holds a French passport. Yet for some Canadians she’s not good enough.

Once again a deeper issue rises to the surface: racism.

Canada is a tolerant but quietly chauvinistic country. The appointment of the Governor General always brings this feeling to light. Adrienne Clarkson, the outgoing GG, received criticism when she was appointed in 1999. In fact, she was constantly condemned for spending too much money and going on goodwill trips abroad that weren’t appropriate for her position, regardless of their success.

The controversy started for Jean when it was discovered that she and her French born husband, were in sympathy with Quebec separatism. Later, she had to renounce the political position she once had ten years ago in order to be “approved” for the GG appointment. Yesterday she had to renounce her French citizenship in order to get the job. [According to the rules, you can’t have dual citizenship]

Why is it that a country that celebrates its multiculturalism still insists in the purity of the Queen’s representative? Some of us have trouble with the notion of a new Canadian taking a very traditional job within our political system. The older generation prefers an older British-looking male for the role, while the younger set prefer a person of today.

Surely we can rise above this chauvinistic attitude and celebrate the appointment of Michaelle Jean for what she brings to the position.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.