Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean

1 governor general of canada

1.1 governor general-designate
1.2 in office

1.2.1 military duties , welcomes overseas
1.2.2 loose cannon accusation
1.2.3 parliamentary prorogation
1.2.4 seal meat, new uniforms, , crisis in haiti
1.2.5 end of tenure

governor general of canada

jean canada s first governor general of caribbean origin; third woman (after jeanne sauvé , adrienne clarkson); fourth youngest (after marquess of lorne, 33 years old in 1878; marquess of lansdowne, 38 years old in 1883; , edward schreyer, 43 years old in 1979); fourth former journalist (after sauvé, roméo leblanc , clarkson); , second after clarkson not have neither political nor military background, visible minority, break tradition of canadian-born governors general, , in interracial marriage. jean first representative of queen elizabeth ii have been born during latter s reign, , appointment saw first child living in rideau hall, official residence, since schreyer , young family lived there in 1980s.

as governor general-designate

on august 4, 2005, announced office of prime minister of canada queen elizabeth ii had approved prime minister paul martin s choice of jean succeed adrienne clarkson queen s representative. @ time, martin said of jean woman of talent , achievement. personal story nothing short of extraordinary. , extraordinary precisely seek in governor generalship—who after must represent of canada canadians , rest of world well. immediately, there speculation martin had been influenced political climate in ottawa @ time, leading prime minister deny rejuvenated popularity party in quebec motivating factor in decision.

prime minister paul martin, recommended jean queen elizabeth ii appointment sovereign s viceroy

from majesty s loyal opposition, upcoming appointment met favourable comments, jean s predecessor applauded choice, saying jean exciting , imaginative choice governor general. in first remarks after announcement, jean herself encouraged canadians involve in communities, , stated wished reach out canadians, regardless of background, , made goal focus on canadian youth , disadvantaged.

however, august 11, 2005, reports emerged of forthcoming piece rené boulanger quebec sovereigntist publication le québécois reveal jean , husband s support quebec independence, citing lafond s associations former members of terrorist organization, front de libération du québec (flq), jacques rose. though boulanger admitted motivated incite rejection of jean anglophone canadians, gilles rhéaume, former president of saint-jean-baptiste society, called on governor general-designate reveal how voted in quebec s 1995 referendum on independence, , members of parliament, provincial premiers, demanded jean , husband clarify sympathies lay. then, 4 days after prime minister publicly explained jean , spouse had both undergone thorough background checks royal canadian mounted police , canadian security intelligence service, there came light, on august 17, existence of documentary in jean had been filmed several hard-line quebec separatists, toasting independence after jean stated: independence can t given, must taken.

that same day, jean responded public statement, saying wish tell unequivocally both husband , proud canadian , have greatest respect institutions of our country. committed canada. not have accepted position otherwise... [we] have never belonged political party or separatist movement, , went on in documented footage had been speaking haiti, , not quebec. martin added on earlier comments: there no doubt in mind devotion canada longstanding , resolute, though critics continued argue jean s response had been vague. late august, polls showed there had been 20% drop in support recommendation of jean next governor general, in response haitian community voiced support jean, holding special church services in honour. jean reaffirmed in late 2010 rumours of separatist sympathies untrue , revealed had been upset journalists saw capitalizing on sensationalism, rather seeking accuracy through investigation, had been advised repeatedly not respond.

the queen held audience jean , family on september 6, 2005, @ balmoral castle. though type of meeting governor general-designate standard, jean s unique in presence of young daughter marked first time in elizabeth s reign designated viceroy-to-be had brought child audience, caused protocol issues. weekend informal; 1 dinner, coincidentally on eve of jean s birthday, queen drove jean , family cottage on balmoral estate, joined prince philip , prince edward, who, along queen, performed cooking , washing up. of it, jean said [i]t best birthday of life. commission appointing jean issued on september 10 under royal sign-manual , great seal of canada.

upon return canada, jean yet again became target when subject of dual citizenship raised, in particular french variety had obtained through marriage french-born lafond. section of french civil code forbade french citizens holding government or military positions in other countries, yet jean, governor general, hold governmental position representative of canada s head of state, and, such, have military role carrying out duties of commander-in-chief of canadian forces, constitutionally vested in monarch. french embassy in ottawa stated there no question law not enforced in jean s case, but, on september 25, 2 days before swearing-in, jean made public had renounced french citizenship [in] light of responsibilities related function of governor general of canada , commander-in-chief of canadian forces , france acceded request decree on september 23, 2005.

in office

michaëlle jean greets concert attendees @ ottawa chamber music festival @ rideau hall



governor general michaëlle jean , prime minister stephen harper @ reception heads of state @ 2010 vancouver winter olympic games

at investiture ceremony in senate chamber on september 27, 2005, jean declared in speech described moving time of 2 solitudes long described character of country past, , called protection of environment, shielding of culture against globalization, , end marginalisation of young people. according 1 media account, pomp , circumstance of canada s significant state function blended humour, passion , tears. while globe , mail columnist john ibbitson reflected general captivation new governor general in following way:

[h]ere beautiful young canadian of haitian birth, smile makes catch breath, bemused older husband side, , daughter literally personifies our future, , @ them , think: yes, our great achievement, canada canada wants be, canada make way different cultural identities.

echoing inaugural speech, motto on personal coat of arms created jean upon taking office governor general briser les solitudes, translates breaking down solitudes . 1 of first acts vicereine launch online chat canadians, part of larger project of creating within governor general s domain name website dubbed citizen voices: breaking down solitudes , users engage each other in discussion forums , prominent individuals post blog entries. focus extended beyond relationship between traditional 2 solitudes of francophones , anglophones in canada include relations between peoples of racial, linguistic, cultural, , gender groups.

over first 2 years of mandate, jean embarked on traditional viceregal tours of canada s provinces , territories. in british columbia, jean presented grey cup @ 93rd canadian football league championship game; in iqaluit, nunavut, opened toonik tyme festival, donated eighty books in inuktitut, french, , english centennial library in commemoration of queen elizabeth ii s 80th birthday; and, on may 4, 2006, became first governor general address alberta legislature. during these tours, jean focused on plight of female victims of violence, meeting representatives of women s organisations, such when, in 2007, participated in historic private discussion aboriginal women chiefs , elders @ saskatchewan s government house. in contrast low approval ratings prior appointment, crowds large , welcoming wherever jean went. convoy arrived @ national war memorial first remembrance day ceremony, on november 11, 2005, jean , lafond greeted disapproval audience, when veterans turned backs on governor general , consort show contempt 2 people veterans felt had worked break country had fought defend.

military duties , welcomes overseas

governor general michaëlle jean president of brazil, lula da silva, july 11, 2007



jean presiding on remembrance day ceremonies in ottawa, 2007

the viceregal family undertook first international trip in february 2006, journeying italy attend closing ceremonies of 2006 winter olympics, meet italian president carlo azeglio ciampi in torino, , pope benedict xvi @ vatican. 3 months later, jean attended investiture of rené préval president of haiti, jean s first visit homeland in capacity queen s representative, , greeted enthusiasm in jacmel. @ end of year, between november 18 , december 11, 2006, jean embarked on trip consisting of state visits 5 african countries—algeria, mali, ghana, south africa, , morocco—wherein governor general encouraged women s rights. also, in precedent-breaking move, explained on citizen voices website role of governor general in undertaking such trips , reason behind these particular tours throughout africa, after continued post observations , feelings on experiences on continent. in mali, arrived on november 23, 2006, jean greeted tens of thousands of people lining highway motorcade passed and, in town of benieli, presented goat, replete canadian flag on collar. male vendors gave canadian journalists gifts passed on jean, provided given telephone numbers. further, during south african leg of tour, president thabo mbeki praised queen-in-council s decision appoint jean governor general, citing example european countries of how african immigrants treated.

jean embraced role acting commander-in-chief, 1 of first international duties being trip, october 29–30, 2005, france 90th anniversary of battle of vimy ridge, after returned canada arrival @ trenton, ontario, of bodies of 6 canadian soldiers killed in afghanistan. jean made on march 8, 2007, first visit canadian troops taking part in offensive in afghanistan; had earlier expressed desire go, harper advised against such trip on grounds of security concerns, relevance of demonstrated when 2 attacks made against canadian soldiers on same day governor general landed in kabul. jean had arrival timed international women s day, stating: women of afghanistan may face unbearable conditions, never stop fighting survival. of course, we, rest of women around world, took long hear cries of our afghan sisters, here tell them no longer alone. , neither people of afghanistan. part of governor general s itinerary included meeting afghan women, canadian soldiers, royal canadian mounted police teams, humanitarian workers, , diplomats.

loose cannon accusation

there was, 2007, perception jean s schedule seemingly thinner of predecessors; initial explanation of fatigue further detailed secretary governor general thyroid problems, , vicereine s doctor had advised rest after jean s hectic diary. @ same time, in ottawa press gallery opined jean had on few occasions in previous year overstepped boundaries of office expected remain non-partisan; journalist chantal hébert said governor general had been wading uncommonly deep in political territory on past few months, citing jean s criticism of quebec sovereigntists , expressed support mission of canadian troops in afghanistan. further, michael valpy penned piece in globe , mail critiquing jean inviting valpy described potentially politically charged individuals post on citizen voices website. jean had made, @ roast-like annual national press gallery dinner, satirical remarks parti québécois leadership candidate andré boisclair s admitted cocaine use and, in september 18, 2006 interview regarding proposed subsidy canadians travel domestically, commented quebecers disconnected rest of canada , isolation affected canada s unity. jean later clarified opinion adding canadians provinces disconnected other parts of country, , september 26 editorial in montreal gazette supported jean s statements on divisions between canada s peoples, saying supporting national unity part of governor general s mandate; but, ire of quebec separatist politicians not assuaged. further, content of speech jean mark 25th anniversary of charter of rights , freedoms regarded thinly veiled criticism of cabinet s decision end court challenges program and, 2007, reported jean s staff @ rideau hall had been systematically removing royal portraits walls of residence. of prompted valpy reveal that, in time prime minister, stephen harper told alex himelfarb, clerk of privy council: prime minister, biggest problem in rideau hall, meaning jean , potential loose cannon .

jean carried out regular ceremonial duties of state, such dedicating new michael lee-chin crystal @ royal ontario museum on june 1, 2007 (following in footsteps of predecessor, prince arthur, duke of connaught , strathearn, governor general opened first expansion of museum in 1914), , undertaking state visit brazil, july 6–15, 2007.

parliamentary prorogation

in late 2008, governor general had return canada in midst of state visit in europe contend parliamentary dispute, coalition of 3 opposition parties in parliament threatened rescind confidence in cabinet under leadership of stephen harper , subsequently form government. after 2 , half hours of deliberation, jean chose follow constitutional precedent of accepting prime minister s advice, prorogue parliament until late january 2009. @ end of jean s viceregal tenure, peter h. russell, 1 of constitutional experts whom jean sought advice, disclosed governor general granted prorogation on 2 conditions: parliament reconvene and, when did, cabinet produce passable budget. this, russell said, set precedent prevent future prime ministers advising prorogation of parliament length of time reason. jean prevented approaching non-confidence vote, resulting situation wherein required choose between asking coalition form government or dissolving parliament , dropping writs, after having federal election 6 weeks earlier. along subsequent prorogation of parliament in december 2009 , earlier calling of election in october 2008, jean 2 years part of controversy in canadian media focused on constitutional relationships between governor general , prime minister or leaders of parties in opposition.

seal meat, new uniforms, , crisis in haiti

as representative of canada s head of state, governor general welcomes president barack obama canada, february 19, 2009

during tour of nunavut in 2009, governor general again garnered headlines when participated in traditional inuit seal feast @ community festival, gutting seal had been killed hunters , consuming piece of raw heart. while both immediate predecessor , prince charles had partaken in raw seal meat in canadian arctic, jean s simple act drew attention, both positive , negative, because of coincidence european parliament s recent ban on import of canadian seal products. dining on seal traditional aspect of annual event , proper etiquette governor general, guest, take part. when asked reporters motivations were, jean replied: take will.

a series of state visits followed in 2009, norway, croatia, greece, , mexico, visit canadian troops in afghanistan september 8–9. in between these diplomatic missions, jean presided on june 27 on ceremonies in halifax, nova scotia, consecration , presentation of new queen s colour canadian navy; wore @ time commander-in-chief s naval uniform, marking revival of practice had ceased following tenure of ray hnatyshyn. she, along prince charles, did same @ 2009 remembrance day events in ottawa, both @ time sporting canadian army dress uniform. then, in june 2010, jean conducted fleet review in esquimalt harbour, mark 100th anniversary of founding of royal canadian navy.

the vicereine again won plaudits, though not universal, media , public actions following earthquake devastated native haiti on january 12, 2010, in lost friend magalie marcelin, godmother jean s daughter. governor general, prime minister, stephen harper, attended emergency meeting @ department of foreign affairs , made tearful speech, parts in haitian creole, thanking cabinet swift action , canadian media coverage, urging strength , courage haitians. later attended vigil in montreal and, on january 25, 2010, met @ rideau hall haitian prime minister jean-max bellerive. after officially opening 2010 winter olympics in vancouver, on february 12, , winter paralympics month later, governor general made visit haiti, march 8–10, 2010, observe devastation , canadian assistance being meted out there , meet president préval.

end of tenure

jean announced press in 2010 step out of viceregal role near end of traditional, not official, five-year period. official opposition leader, michael ignatieff, publicly advocated extension of jean s tenure, in doing breaking tradition of keeping consultations on next governor general among prime minister , opposition party leaders confidential. polls conducted around time showed jean had earned approval rating of 60%, , constitutional expert @ university of toronto called performance governor general superb, though of missteps noted.

jean (left) queen elizabeth ii @ queen s park, toronto, july 2010

on may 10, 2010, princess margriet of netherlands presented jean new tulip cultivar named michaëlle jean tulip; deep maroon petals; designed reflect governor general s personal tastes. carried on tradition of dutch royalty giving tulips gifts canada.

summaries of jean s time queen s representative emerged mid-2010; jean regarded having fulfilled role in admirable, though not perfect, fashion. noted used office, speaking abilities, , photogenic nature canada s advantage, promoting freedom, human rights, , urban youth, , bring attention socio-economic problems in country s north. commended dedication arts, aboriginal canadians, armed forces, , outreach haiti following earthquake there, critiqued specific incidents, such referring herself canada s head of state , making public comments skirted political. ability connect met noted, frequent displays of emotion; commentators dubbed empathizer-in-chief.

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