If you want to be the GG better get a resume to the CBC

[zoziw]

The PM named the new GG today

Link

At just 48 years old, the award winning journalist will become one of the youngest governors general ever, the third woman in the job and the first black person to call Rideau Hall home.

Jean, a journalist, is probably best known to English Canadians as the host of The Passionate Eye on CBC TV and Rough Cuts on CBC Newsworld.

But her television career was launched in Quebec where she has worked as a journalist, producer and host for the CBC's French language services, SRC and RDI, since 1988.

 

[Illuminatus]

I was hoping for Romeo Dallaire, or maybe Marc Garneau. Oh well...

 

[simplicity]

I do not know this particular CBC personality. I suspect she won't make the headlines as often as her predecessor. I was expecting quite a mature GG because of the ceremonial nature of the position and the fact the population is aging. So certainly the relatively youthful age of the new GG is a surprise to me. But she seems like a nice person. I hope she does a good job.

 

[Svt4Him]

Isn't that the second from CBC?

 

[zoziw]

Yep

 

[woohoo]

I believe she is from the French CBC. Ahh well... who occupies the governor general's position really isn't that big of a deal, as long as they don't go on spending sprees. ahem. It's just a title, the queen's representative. Sign Bills, stuff like that..

 

[simplicity]

The GG's job is similar to handing out university degrees - usually done by a noteworthy person. "Very good work!" Ah, yes, thankyou! "Good for you. Excellent." Oh my, thanks! Thank you so much! "Fine work, fine work." Then she moves on to the next person.

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Isn't that the second from CBC?

Yep.

That does not surprise me at all. The CBC is so legendary for its support of the federal Liberal party that it can be considered no surprise that Prime Minister Martin would choose someone from that corporation to serve as Governor General.

 

[Svt4Him]

And how many millions do we pay her?

 

[Victrixa]

Michaëlle Jean is a very intelligent, extremely cultured and most wonderful lady. I was sooo happy to see her elected.... and pleasingly surprised!

I have listened to quite a few of her interviews (that she made as a journalist) and television programs. I'm very familiar with her.

 

[simplicity]

I've always considered the CBC our version of Pravda. They usually say situations "pose challenges" for the government. Or Canadians have "serious questions" for the government. Or there is the question of "what should Canadians expect" from this government. So they're certainly a crowd that doesn't bite the hand that feeds it. In sharp contrast, I heard the expression "sheer stupidity" used in relation to Bush.

So Pravda treats the government nicely. The government treats Pravda nicely. Eta pravda, mya druga. Yay, I got to bandy my slanted Russian twice in the same year!

 

[.Mikha'el.]

And how many millions do we pay her?

I do not know the salary of the Governor General, but I can tell you that the person who has this role is exempt from paying income taxes like every member of the British royal family. I currently cannot find a web site to back up the statement, but I will say that I heard it on a radio talk show a few months ago.

 

[vibrant]

well she has a residence complete with meals, maids, and everything paid for her. plus the budget to support her causes.

i don't think it's about the salary for this job

 

[Avatar]

Michaëlle Jean is a very intelligent, extremely cultured and most wonderful lady. I was sooo happy to see her elected.... and pleasingly surprised!

I have listened to quite a few of her interviews (that she made as a journalist) and television programs. I'm very familiar with her.

Me too, she is a superb choice!

 

[The Ascetic Crusader]

The Governor General of Canada is the Queen's representative and symbolic Head of State. She can dissolve parliament but mainly her role is to represent Canada to the world and to ourselves.

After six years of Adrienne Clarkson, a minority woman who worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Prime Minister has appointed Haitian-born Michaelle Jean to succeed her, another minority woman who works for the CBC. Is this the real
meaning of diversity?

What do you think?

 

[The Ascetic Crusader]

Prime Minister Paul Martin calls Canada a "nation of minorities" when in fact 85% of Canadians are of European origin...I have no trouble with minority women who happen to be CBC reporters being Governor General. I do have a problem with one following another.

 

[Illuminatus]

I've always considered the CBC our version of Pravda. They usually say situations "pose challenges" for the government. Or Canadians have "serious questions" for the government. Or there is the question of "what should Canadians expect" from this government. So they're certainly a crowd that doesn't bite the hand that feeds it. In sharp contrast, I heard the expression "sheer stupidity" used in relation to Bush.

So Pravda treats the government nicely. The government treats Pravda nicely. Eta pravda, mya druga. Yay, I got to bandy my slanted Russian twice in the same year!

Perhaps it's because I read CBC.ca far more than I watch or listen to CBC, but I don't get this feeling. Probably different editorial teams.

 

[simplicity]

Prime Minister Paul Martin calls Canada a "nation of minorities" when in fact 85% of Canadians are of European origin...I have no trouble with minority women who happen to be CBC reporters being Governor General. I do have a problem with one following another.

I guess there really isn't a formal selection criteria. And maybe there should be at least some kind of general framework so people can judge the broad merits of a GG candidate. I think one critical factor is the ability to speak French fluently. A third of Canada still has French-speaking roots - and it's an official language of the nation. The GG has to speak to people comfortably. So for sure she has to like people and be generally liked by people. I was mostly surprised by her youth.

 

[Reepicheep]

Prime Minister Paul Martin calls Canada a "nation of minorities" when in fact 85% of Canadians are of European origin...I have no trouble with minority women who happen to be CBC reporters being Governor General. I do have a problem with one following another.

Also consider the fact that every single prime minister Canada has had was Caucasian, and the majority of MPs in hte House of Commons are Caucasian. It's only fair that we put a person of a minority ethnicity into a prestigious position to represent the minority. I mean, when other countries take a look at Canada, they'll see we have a coloured leader, and I think that in itself shows that Canada is a diverse country made up of many, many peoples.

Michaelle Jean is rather young for a governor general (Man, she looks 25 in that picture!... eventhough, of course she is 48) and I think that appeals a lot to the younger generation. Personally, I am delighted by this choice because it just shows to the youth that not all high positions are held by old people.

 

[Illuminatus]

Michaelle Jean is rather young for a governor general (Man, she looks 25 in that picture!... eventhough, of course she is 48) and I think that appeals a lot to the younger generation.

I know, eh? When I was reading the CBC article and it said she was 48, I figured it was a typo. Forget 48, I hope I'm still looking that good when I'm 30.

Personally, I am delighted by this choice because it just shows to the youth that not all high positions are held by old people.

High, but unimportant.