The Queen and Canada; Residences, Governor General, etc...

[Queen Astrid]

Thank you for showing something Canadian in here ....Yay...Madame Jean seems to be a very good choice for the role of being our Governor-General


I am Joe and I am Canadian (Seriously)

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Queen Astrid

I am Joe and I am Canadian (Seriously)

not the Joe from the beer ad!

[Humera]

Newly sworn in Governor General Michaelle Jean, center, greets people in the Hall of Honnor on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 with her six year-old daughter Marie-Eden Jean, front right, as Prime Minister Paul Martin follows. Jean is a refugee from Haiti _ the first black and only the third woman to hold the title of governor general. (Polfoto and Yahoo)


Receiving her first vice-regal salute (Polfoto and Yahoo)


Inspecting the foot guards (yahoo)

[Humera]

Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean (R) and her daughter Marie-Eden (2nd R) pet the foot guard's mascot 'Batisse' after being sworn in during a ceremony in Ottawa, September 27, 2005. REUTERS/Jim Young



Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond wave to well-wishers from a Royal Canadian Mounted Police escorted landau after she was sworn in during a ceremony in Ottawa, September 27, 2005. (Polfoto & Yahoo)

[Humera]

Photogallery of yesterday's ceremony from the GG's official website:
http://www.gg.ca/media/pho/index_e.asp?GalleryID=134

[Reina]

Wow!!! She is seating in the Queen's throne. That is way cool. ALthoguh it would have been nice if she had worn something more formal, but she looked cute anyway. And it is so cool she got her coat-of-arms. I think she shoudl get a crown as well.

[Humera]

Not too many pics from the reception but I found two, and an article. Its about the designer whose outfit she wore at the installation. I actually saw him on tv yesterday and he showed the outfit the GG wore (this is after the ceremony ofcourse or he'd have been in big trouble)

Jean proves to be 'fashion ambassador'
Congratulated for choosing Canadian designers

MONTREAL - Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean's outfit yesterday morning was a surprise to the public as she had wished -- and to the man who designed it.
Ms. Jean, dignified, passionate and warm in her address, wore a sober black skirt suit and white shirt by Philippe Dubuc for the pomp and ceremony of her installation as Canada's 27th governor general.

It was possibly the most appropriate and safest choice for the occasion. And it was a far cry from the avant-garde, outrageous costumes often worn by her predecessor, Adrienne Clarkson.
http://www.canada.com/national/featu...6-04193e36db67

[Humera]

"For the evening festivities, Ms. Jean wore a gown of copper peau de soie by Ottawa couturier Richard Robinson. "I'm the lucky one,'' Mr. Robinson said last night.
He created the sleeveless gown, with a bustier bodice and halter straps attached by a vintage brooch, in less than a weekend, he said, after receiving a call from Ms. Jean's office Friday morning." (From the article above)

Pics from the reception (Ottawa Citizen)

[Princess BellyFlop]

I just love her.

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Princess BellyFlop

I agree with Michaelle Jean's reaction after the designer silly actions. But after the dashing and beautiful Mme Clarkson, I was so happy to imagine we would have another flamboyantly elegant and intelligently articulated lady in Ottawa. That outfit is just too casual for her and for THAT day. There are beautiful stores in Ottawa I would imagine. If not, it's about 1h30 from Montreal! Probably less if you are in an official vehicule. I hope she has a regal dress for the gala tonight. I assume there is a gala.

Well, I *hated* her outfit. All I wanted to do was climb through the television and straighten her collar. Personally, I think a tucked-in shirt was at least in order. Didn't much care for her gala outifit either. A bit too much skin & not very vice-regal like, IMO.

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Queen Astrid

Thank you for showing something Canadian in here ....Yay...Madame Jean seems to be a very good choice for the role of being our Governor-General


I am Joe and I am Canadian (Seriously)

Nothing against her, but I would have preferred a Westerner (alas, there wasn't anyone good enough) or someone with a diplomatic or semi-political background. I was personally rooting for Romeo Dallaire. Moreover, I don't think she will ever be able to completely shak-off the whole pro-separatist thing. If true, it was a terrific political hand of co-opting by Martin.

[Oppie]

Isn't Romeo Dallaire a Senetor ? I think that would leave him ineligable (or he would have to resign first). I also think he would be to political for the job. I can't see him not commenting on certain events (and he shouldn't !) but that is part of the job of GG smile and eat the chicken.


Also there seems to be a trend French/English since Ms Clarkson was English they needed a french person. I'm glad it wasn't Marc Garneau though (another favorite) since I'll be getting my degree from him in the Spring !

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Oppie

Isn't Romeo Dallaire a Senetor ? I think that would leave him ineligable (or he would have to resign first). I also think he would be to political for the job. I can't see him not commenting on certain events (and he shouldn't !) but that is part of the job of GG smile and eat the chicken.


Also there seems to be a trend French/English since Ms Clarkson was English they needed a french person. I'm glad it wasn't Marc Garneau though (another favorite) since I'll be getting my degree from him in the Spring !

Hi Oppie.

He only just became a Senator recently and there was talk of making him GG prior to that. I don't think he would have been too political, at least not in a bad way given his stellar activist and military background. Moreover, far more "political" former politicians (which Dallaire is not) have become GG.

Ms. Clarkson was English speaking, yes. However, there are francaphone in the West, too. Moreoever, Dallaire is a francophone from the East. I just think a better choice could have been made than yet another broadcaster. That's my opinion.

[Duchess]

Originally Posted by Sean.~

Nothing against her, but I would have preferred a Westerner (alas, there wasn't anyone good enough) or someone with a diplomatic or semi-political background. I was personally rooting for Romeo Dallaire. Moreover, I don't think she will ever be able to completely shak-off the whole pro-separatist thing. If true, it was a terrific political hand of co-opting by Martin.

I'm Canadian too and would love to see an Easterner...LOL:)

[Humera]

I must say I was glad the PM chose a woman. Not only do they bring a certain glamour to the job, they seem to be better at reaching out to people, thats not to say a man couldnt do the same if he wanted to. I think Mme. Jean will do a good job. From the press coverage I've seen she seems to have won over many if not most of her critics given her passionate speech, even someone like Andrew Coyne of the National Post who had been very critical of her before the installation. Jean also came across to me, as she did to many, as a woman with a lot of warmth and charm. I, like many others, think its time that Canada's leadership start reflecting the nature of Canadian society, you wouldnt know that if you saw our politicians, most of them old, white men. After Mme. Clarkson we also needed someone who'd do as much for the office as she had done. I dont look at her as Quebecer or think about the GG in regional terms.
In the end whats more important is that the office reflect our modern, inclusive society. And ofcourse the GG should be someone of intelligence, ability, and talent. And Mme. Jean has all these qualities and more.

[Squidgy]

I think one of the advantages of choosing a governor general with a background in broadcasting is that they excel at the art of public speaking. It was always a pleasure to hear Adrianne Clarkson speak with poetic eloquence and expression - such a nice change from the graceless drivel we are used to getting from our honourable members of Parliament. And judging from Ms. Jean's speech on Tuesday, it looks like, that at least in the area of public speaking, she has the ability to perhaps even surpass the bar that Ms. Clarkson had set so high.

[Squidgy]

Originally Posted by Duchess

I'm Canadian too and would love to see an Easterner...LOL:)

... Well, I do remember reading, back in the Spring, when people were trying to guess who the next GG would be, that Rick Mercer was supposedly considered to be a candidate. I don't know how true it is ... Maybe it was just wishful thinking by someone who felt this country needed a few more laughs ...

... and don't forget that Romeo LeBlanc (GG from 1995 to 1999) was an Acadian from New Brunswick.

[Humera]

Here's look at the Canadian Governors-General and where they were from:
(Before 1952, and since confederation, Canada's GGs were British)

1. The Right Honourable Charles Vincent Massey
Governor General: 1952 - 1959
Born: February 20, 1887, Toronto, Ontario

ps. apparently some criticized the appointment of a Canadian citizen as GG at the time. Just goes to show how most GGs usually put up with their share of criticism when they're first appointed. Massey won over his critics in the end.

2. Major General The Right Honourable Georges Philias Vanier
Governor General: 1959- 1967
Born: April 23, 1888, Montreal, Quebec

3. The Right Honourable Daniel Roland Michener
Governor General: 1967 - 1974
Born: April 19, 1900, Lacombe, Alberta

4. The Right Honourable Jules Léger: Governor General
Governor General: 1974 - 1979
Born: April 4, 1913, St-Anicet, Quebec

5. The Right Honourable Edward Richard Schreyer
Governor General: 1979 - 1984
Born: December 21, 1935, Beausejour, Manitoba

6. The Right Honourable Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé
Governor General: 1984 - 1990
Born: April 26, 1922, Prud'homme, Saskatchewan

7. The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn
Governor General: 1990 - 1995
Born: March 16, 1934, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

8. The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc
Governor General: 1995 - 1999
Born: Memramcook, New Brunswick in 1927

9. The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
Governor General: 1999 - 2005
Born: 1939 in Hong Kong

10. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Governor General: 2005 -
Born: Port au Prince, Haiti

From www.gg.ca

So if we're talking about GGs born in Canada, we've had:
1 from Ontario
2 from Quebec
1 from Alberta
1 from Manitoba
2 from Saskatchewan
1 from New Brunswick

The last 2 aren't Canadia born, but AC would count as an Ontarian if Im right and MJ would be a Quebecker.
It seems a fair mix to me. We're missing someone from BC, the northern territories but we have to keep in mind that we've only had 10 Canadian GGs so far. I dont know why westerners complain they haven't been represented. The list says otherwise.

[Von Schlesian]

Speaking of your list of Governors-General, the next one I'd love to see is Christopher Plummer CC

[Sean.~]

The last 2 aren't Canadia born, but AC would count as an Ontarian if Im right and MJ would be a Quebecker.
It seems a fair mix to me. We're missing someone from BC, the northern territories but we have to keep in mind that we've only had 10 Canadian GGs so far. I dont know why westerners complain they haven't been represented. The list says otherwise.

Jean Sauve isn't counted as a Westerner despite her being born in SK. She identified with Quebec, and allegedly harboured sovreignist sentiments. Hnatytyshan was a former Conservative cabinet minister (take that as you will ;-)). With respect to Schryer, many don't consider Manitoba as a part of the West per se.

In any case, to date the criterion hasn't been whether the appointee came from the 'right' part of the country, but rather as to whether s/he was anglaphone or francaphone. You're not from the West and thus most likely do not understand why Westerners feel so allienated. The reasons are complicated and many -- and beyond the scope of this board. With regards to the issue of GG, it will suffice to say that a large segment of the population is tired of what they perceive (whether rightly or wrongly -- I'm not getting into that) as a constant pandering to the Quebec element. This latest appointment (given Ms. Jean's alleged political sentiments) merely adds to that.