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

[Sean.~]

=~*~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.

Indeed they can. Vanier and Michner were two of the best and most respected GGs we ever had. In any case, I think the whole way the GG is appointed needs to be overhauled. It shouldn't just be up to the PM.

I dont look at her as Quebecer or think about the GG in regional terms.

You may not, however, her appointment was, to a significant extent, political. It is important to recognize that.

Although I think she will do fine, I would have preferred a Canadian born appointee (ideally an aboriginal person for a change) with a more illustrious political/diplomatic or even military background. There are many in these fields who also,IMO "reflect our modern, inclusive society". Oh well, that's life.

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Sean.~

I would have preferred a Canadian born appointee (ideally an aboriginal person for a change) with a more illustrious political/diplomatic or even military background. There are many in these fields who also,IMO "reflect our modern, inclusive society". Oh well, that's life.

I have no problem with that. But there's nothing wrong with choosing a refugee either. Infact from what I've noticed in the media, a lot of immigrants feel the significance of this appointment. The hundreds of thousands who choose Canada as a home every year should feel that all their hard work, their contributions, can one day take them places. This is a segment of our population thats growing with each passing year and needs to be acknowledged as well. So two in a row isnt bad.

[altagrace]

I think she is great! Canada is a rare country where immigrants are truly embraced and can get every opportunity.
As a canadian of haitian origin myself- i am so proud. I can also tell you from experience that I always felt integrated here and I was never discriminated against.
Generally speaking canadians judge people by how much they contribute to the country (work etc) and their wilingness to adapt and blend in.

Hooray Canada!!


Can anyone post more pictures of the evening gown or provide a link?

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by altagrace

I think she is great! Canada is a rare country where immigrants are truly embraced and can get every opportunity.
As a canadian of haitian origin myself- i am so proud. I can also tell you from experience that I always felt integrated here and I was never discriminated against.
Generally speaking canadians judge people by how much they contribute to the country (work etc) and their wilingness to adapt and blend in.

I think the choice of Michaelle Jean is a unique choice and I think Paul Martin made a good pick in choosing her as our Governor General.

I think she sets an excellent example of all that can be achieved in Canada even if you are not Canadian-born. She is something that new and future immigrants can aspire to (not that everyone will be Canada's next GG, but that it's possible). And if something like that is possible, than anything in our country is.

I saw a piece on the news with the protestors at Michaelle Jean's GG ceremony and I was disheartened to see all the protest. Much of the protest seemed to be unreasonable (to me). There was the very unfortunate protestors who were against her because of her race and that she had a husband who is of a different (racial) background than her -- what century are we living in again?! That she had a daughter and was a single parent. That she refused to swear on a Bible.

I think some of the issues were reasonable to expect opposition to, such as the separatist matter, but some of these other issues seemed so archaic to be up in arms about.

In the end, I think she will serve our country well. (Unless she finds a way to spend more money than Adrienne Clarkson. ) She is educated, intelligent, appears to be compassionate and sympathetic, and I think she will bring a lot to Rideau Hall.

[Von Schlesian]

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

[Duchess]

Originally Posted by Von Schlesian

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

OOOOH that would be lovely. never thought of him!

[Duchess]

To me it doesn't matter where the GG is from, aboriginal, eastern canada, westerner, refugee or immigrant as long as they represent canada in the best possible way. I have a hard time with this Quebec issue and the western alienation issue. This is best country in the world (not to insult other countries but I am canadian) and there's room for everyone and we should be proud of our heritage no matter what the culture or language.

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Duchess

To me it doesn't matter where the GG is from, aboriginal, eastern canada, westerner, refugee or immigrant as long as they represent canada in the best possible way. I have a hard time with this Quebec issue and the western alienation issue. This is best country in the world (not to insult other countries but I am canadian) and there's room for everyone and we should be proud of our heritage no matter what the culture or language.

my sentiments exactly:)

[Princess BellyFlop]

It's fun to chat with other fellow Canadians on this thread. As probably the only Quebecer on this board, at least the only French-speaking one, I find it interesting that we can exhange in a civilised matter on topics that keep our politicians going and going in circles for decades. Also it's kind of hard to voice your attachment to Canada where I live... snif snif snif.

[Duchess]

princessbellyflop i totally agree with you. it's wonderful to be able to share opinions about our country and it's traditions with each other. our coutry is so rich with culture - and the opportunities for everyone are endless. thank goodness for canada.

[altagrace]

Hello Princess Belly Flop!! (cute name)
Je suis sure qu'il y a d'autres francophones qui sont membres de ce forum. I am one of them!!
You're right- Great discussions! I was so glad when I discovered this site.

Happy posting!

[Princess BellyFlop]

Originally Posted by altagrace

Hello Princess Belly Flop!! (cute name)
Je suis sure qu'il y a d'autres francophones qui sont membres de ce forum. I am one of them!!
You're right- Great discussions! I was so glad when I discovered this site.

Happy posting!

Bienvenue - Welcome! You are new here with about a dozen posts. I'm sorry I forgot Francophones in the ROC. I saw that you are from Ontario. Easier for you to express your attachment for Canada then if you were like me in Quebec.... But I'm keeping the flame!

[Reina]

Wow. You canadians have gotten away w/ so much on this thread. How nauseating it is to hear so much of what is going on in canada when it is not related to real royalty!

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by Reina

Wow. You canadians have gotten away w/ so much on this thread. How nauseating it is to hear so much of what is going on in canada when it is not related to real royalty!

News and discussions about the latest Canadian Governor General isn't completely unrelated -- Michaelle Jean is now the most powerful woman in Canada when Queen Elizabeth II isn't in the country. The GG is the Queen's representative to Canada, and by that association is connected to royalty.

If it would make you feel better, this thread will be moved to the Members' Corner.

[Reina]

Thank you. I did not mean to sound mean. It's just that they were talking about canadian stuff in the BRForums and outsiders don't get to talk about that in the other threads. The GG is indeed a special entity that you Canadians cherish. I have learned so much. (But I still can't figure you guys out ). I mean I know you all are human beings, but what goes on up there?

[Mandy]

I believe that this thread belongs in the British forum because the Governor General is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's representave in Canada and we should not be bullied into moving it to Members' Corner by a few disgruntled individuals.

[Humera]

i was looking for this thread in the members forum and couldnt find it
thought i was losing my mind:p
If it does bother some people then we'll stay away from politics and stick to the GG.

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by Reina

Thank you. I did not mean to sound mean. It's just that they were talking about canadian stuff in the BRForums and outsiders don't get to talk about that in the other threads. The GG is indeed a special entity that you Canadians cherish. I have learned so much. (But I still can't figure you guys out ). I mean I know you all are human beings, but what goes on up there?

Are you really only from the United States? It seems rather ignorant that you know so little about your neighbours to the north. We are not talking about people from Mars. What kind of a comment is "I know you all are human beings, but what goes on up there?" When did Canadians become such exotic, foreign creatures?

If I were in your position I wouldn't have said anything about the validity of this thread and kept on reading so that I could at least learning something new about those "human beings up there."

[Princess BellyFlop]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

If I were in your position I wouldn't have said anything about the validity of this thread and kept on reading so that I could at least learning something new about those "human beings up there."

Genevieve, I understand you and how you feel but we are Canadian and therefore we will not play that kind of game. It's hard, trust me I KNOW. We Canadians apparently have a world reputation as peace-keepers, let's keep that reputation. hihihi!

[Reina]

Now come on. I was not bullying. I just made one statement and I was primarily joking around. ANyway, if you read the title for this thread, it says British Royals aka The British Royal Family. The GG is not a member of the British Royal Family so this thread does not belong here. Second, some poster are talking about politics. I did not even mention anythign about that (I think). I just think it is a bit unfair that this gets to be discussed in an obviously inappropo. place. It just isn't fair. For pete's sake read the rules (you guys' rules by the way)!