Canadian Polemic

First of all, apologies for the tremendous delay since my last post - internet problems have kept me offline for some time. Now, I recognize that the subject of my post is slightly old news by now in our age of lightning-fast media attention spans, but I want to write about Canada's new Governor-General Michaëlle Jean.

I'll admit that at first I was very disappointed in Canadian PM Paul Martin's choice. I for one am very tired of appointments being made for political reasons, where people are appointed or selected simply because of what colour their skin is, where they live or what language they speak best. I recognize that affirmative action programs and the like were once established to right an imbalance, but I think that their time has expired. Regardless, that's a debate for another day. In Ms Jean, I saw the Prime Minister making a blatantly political choice - it was a game of how many various constituencies can we appeal to in one person. As a black, Francophone, Haitian-born woman from Quebec, the PM hit as many nails on the head as is possible. I instinctively was disgusted for this reason alone - break the mold, Mr Prime Minister! Choose someone on merit, not for political considerations! Enough, already!

Then I heard some of her comments to reporters when she was appointed.

I was floored by the candid nature of her words, by her enthusiasm for the country and her commitment to making a difference. She told Canadians that one of Canada's greatest strengths is its capacity to evolve, and that she accepted the position on those grounds. "This is all so exciting," she told us, as she reaffirmed that "I am a woman of action, and I can’t wait to get started." She is reportedly planning to make Canadian youth a centerpiece of her time in Rideau Hall, as well.

I'm convinced that Ms Jean is precisely who we need in Rideau Hall, despite initial misgivings. I think that she'll be able to breathe even more life into it after Adrienne Clarkson so capably reinvigorated. I think that she reflects a new Canada, an excited, enthusiastic Canada that I certainly believe in and don't see nearly enough of on the national level. I hope that she can make Canadians excited about their country again - I have all confidence that she'll be able to do so.

Mr Prime Minister, in Michaëlle Jean you've accomplished a magnificent political feat - congratulations. But you've also done something more in terms of our national identity and our national energies - perhaps this will be your best legacy.