# "Oh noes! Not ANOTHER woman of colour as Governor General!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 5, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684 "2005-08-05T06:18:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/41 "2005-08-05T21:07:07Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Well, the two provinces also contain 60% of the population, so maybe _that’s_ an element, too. I’m sure it does. And perhaps Alberta as one of two ‘have’ provinces would love to stop transfer payments, since they have such a low population. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/42 "2005-08-05T21:07:22Z")
> [@Chad C. Mulligan](#): > > But the thing that defines his role in Rwanda is inaction. See the film _Shake Hands with the Devil_ for the truth: Dallaire did absolutely everything he could with virtually nothing. The “inaction” accusation has largely been hung by Belgian politicos attempting to deflect attention from their own far-more-blameworthy actions. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/43 "2005-08-05T21:29:49Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Do you just assume you can predict the politics of anyone in another province by where they live? Maybe the qualifier of **I would imagine** doesn’t mean what I thought it meant. ---
**Author:** ![Foaming\_Cleanser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Foaming\_Cleanser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foaming_Cleanser)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/44 "2005-08-05T22:06:16Z")
I predict that the next prime minister will be from Quebec, and the next after that, and the next and the next and the next, if the country can hang on that long. As for the office of governor general, it’s safe to consider it the CBC Senate, which, like its namesake, is nothing more than a financial black hole. In eight or nine years it’ll be fought over tooth and nail by the three parties — the CBC, CTV and Global. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/45 "2005-08-05T22:11:16Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Trudeau was hated by many in Quebec. Maybe they don’t teach you that in western Canada. Do you just assume you can predict the politics of anyone in another province by where they live? Indeed, Trudeau was very strong on centralizing power in the hands of the federal government, and is disliked by many people in Quebec for this very reason. His reaction to the October Crisis is also seen as excessive by many people who lived through it; whether it actually was is another debate. I think the reason why he’s hated in Alberta also has to do with his centralizing tendencies, and also (I think) his energy policy, but keep in mind that when he was Prime Minister, I wasn’t born yet (or I was a baby, in his final years), so I don’t know much about the issues that were talked about back then. I know that he strikes me as an arrogant bastard, though. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/46 "2005-08-05T22:16:09Z")
> [@severus](#): > > I think the reason why he’s hated in Alberta also has to do with his centralizing tendencies, and also (I think) his energy policy… [National Energy Program](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Energy_Policy). Decades later, it’s _still_ gets people in a huff. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/47 "2005-08-05T22:32:40Z")
> [@Foaming Cleanser](#): > > I predict that the next prime minister will be from Quebec, and the next after that, and the next and the next and the next, if the country can hang on that long. _I_ predict the next Prime minister will be fiscally and socially more or less centrist (to appeal to a broad segment of the poulation at election time) and be a reasonably skilled orator in both English and French (since, in elections and in the House, that’s basically his job). > [@](#): > > As for the office of governor general, it’s safe to consider it the CBC Senate, which, like its namesake, is nothing more than a financial black hole. In eight or nine years it’ll be fought over tooth and nail by the three parties — the CBC, CTV and Global. Two instances does not a pattern make. And unlike a black hole, the CBC emits _loads_ of information. If you prefer classic rock to current events, or don’t see value in aboriginal-language programming in the far north or radio where commercial interests wouldn’t be able to make a profit, that’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/48 "2005-08-05T23:12:21Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > Well, there is the attitude in the west that Ontario and Quebec get more than their fair share of political fun stuff. And region has a lot to do with it. Since you are from Quebec I would imagine that you think/thought very highly of PET. Of couse I’m sure that you also realize that he was loathed in western Canada. Well, **RickJay** has already pointed out that not everyone in Quebec loved Trudeau. I lived in BC for over two years in the early nineties, and i have family and friends there. Of those old enough to remember Trudeau, quite a few thought (and still think) that he was the best prime minister Canada has ever had. I make no claim about how typical their attitudes are, and i’m aware that many in the west did believe that Trudeau privileged Quebec and Ontario, but he was not universally loathed in the western provinces. Also, those who did hate him often were a bit irrational, IMO. I love Canada, and Vancouver is one of my favourite cities in the whole world. But if you want to see the ugly side of (some) British Columbians, start a conversation about eastern Canada, especially Quebec. I’ve spoken to seemingly-rational people who go all foamy-mouthed at the merest mention of Francophone Canada. The first few times it happened, i was really taken aback. After that, i tended to avoid the subject. Luckily, the people i choose to have as friends in Vancouver aren’t the type to indulge in irrational hatred of the Quebecois. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/49 "2005-08-05T23:21:26Z")
> [@wolfstu](#): > > Two instances does not a pattern make. And unlike a black hole, the CBC emits _loads_ of information. If you prefer classic rock to current events, or don’t see value in aboriginal-language programming in the far north or radio where commercial interests wouldn’t be able to make a profit, that’s fine. I’ll grant that they weren’t pulled straight from the CBC, but [Romeo LeBlanc](http://www.gg.ca/governor_general/leblanc/leblanc_e.asp) was a correspondent for Radio Canada, and [Jeanne Sauve](http://www.gg.ca/governor_general/history/bios/sauve_e.asp) “had a distinguished career as a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation [for over 20 years].” I love the CBC and I’ll watch and listen to as much as possible (except Don Cherry, thankyouverymuch), but this is more than two instances. I don’t care _where_ they get the GG, but let’s leave politicians and journalists out of the mix for a while. **severus** , I’d argue that David Suzuki is a media personality because of _The Nature of Things_, but he’s a scientist and environmentalist first. He’s not a journalist by any means, and if anything, he’s using his media exposure as a medium _for_ his message. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/50 "2005-08-06T00:16:01Z")
> [@Aguecheek](#): > > I’ll grant that they weren’t pulled straight from the CBC, but [Romeo LeBlanc](http://www.gg.ca/governor_general/leblanc/leblanc_e.asp) was a correspondent for Radio Canada, and [Jeanne Sauve](http://www.gg.ca/governor_general/history/bios/sauve_e.asp) “had a distinguished career as a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation [for over 20 years].” Ah. I was unaware of LeBlanc’s and Sauve’s carreers. Four in in twenty years is different than two that happen to be consecutive. CBC connections or no, I think David Suzuki would be cool. Ditto Marc Garneau and Roberta Bondar. How about Roberta Jamieson? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/51 "2005-08-06T00:57:32Z")
[Judy Rebick’s](http://www.rabble.ca/) [site](http://www.rabble.ca/about_us/about_us.shtml?x=17410). ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/52 "2005-08-06T01:06:51Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > But if you want to see the ugly side of (some) British Columbians, start a conversation about eastern Canada, especially Quebec. I’ve spoken to seemingly-rational people who go all foamy-mouthed at the merest mention of Francophone Canada. The first few times it happened, i was really taken aback. After that, i tended to avoid the subject. Luckily, the people i choose to have as friends in Vancouver aren’t the type to indulge in irrational hatred of the Quebecois. You met my uncle Eric?!! Uncle Eric believed that “The French” were demons in human form, Satan’s spawn upon the earth. He was a man who at age 40 would go around the air base at Comox and spray-paint the French off the road signs. Sadly the attitude carred on to some on my cousins as well. We didn’t talk about it that much. I went out to visit them in '94. I stayed at Banff hostel on the way there and met a beautiful young Québécoise named Nancy (alas, little more ensued); my cousin and I got into an argument about the Evil French (or not) at the dinner table while I was staying with them, and I kept thinking of Nancy. Definitely not a demon… how can people be so blind? Eventually I bailed and went up to the university with my other cousin for some fresh air and sanity… ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/53 "2005-08-06T01:17:13Z")
> [@Aguecheek](#): > > **severus** , I’d argue that David Suzuki is a media personality because of _The Nature of Things_, but he’s a scientist and environmentalist first. He’s not a journalist by any means, and if anything, he’s using his media exposure as a medium _for_ his message. Yes, you’re correct. On the other hand, being a journalist doesn’t preclude you from working on other things on the side. I don’t know if this was the case for Clarkson and Jean, though. > [@wolfstu](#): > > Ah. I was unaware of LeBlanc’s and Sauve’s carreers. Four in in twenty years is different than two that happen to be consecutive. On the other hand, they’re mostly known as politicians rather than as journalists, and it’s likely why they were named as Governor General. > [@Sunspace](#): > > [Judy Rebick’s](http://www.rabble.ca/) [site](http://www.rabble.ca/about_us/about_us.shtml?x=17410). Thanks. I see that she’s a “progressive journalist”. That’s all right for me, but it may mean that she doesn’t have the necessary neutrality to be Governor General. ---
**Author:** ![Foaming\_Cleanser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Foaming\_Cleanser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foaming_Cleanser)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/54 "2005-08-06T02:53:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **wolfstu** > And unlike a black hole, the CBC emits loads of information. If you prefer classic rock to current events, or don’t see value in aboriginal-language programming in the far north or radio where commercial interests wouldn’t be able to make a profit, that’s fine. I meant that the Senate is the black-hole namesake, not the CBC. This: > [@](#): > > As for the office of governor general, it’s safe to consider it the CBC Senate, which, like its namesake, is nothing more than a financial black hole. could have been clearer. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/55 "2005-08-06T07:10:33Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > The GG is appointed by HM the Queen on the advice of HM’s Government in the relevant country. In practice, in Australia at least, “HM’s Government” effectively means the Prime Minister, who may consult the Cabinet before giving the advice, but certainly does not need to consult Parliament or anyone else. So I’d guess than in this case it’s Paul Martin’s decision, though one that he would make bearing in mind the likely impact on his own party and on the electorate generally. The governors-general of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are nominated by parliament then appointed by Her Majesty. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/56 "2005-08-06T07:43:21Z")
Michaelle Jean was born in Haiti and came to Canada with her family who were fleeing the Duvalier regime. She lived in Thedford Mines first, then in Montreal. Her father, a man who is described as having been destroyed by what he experienced in Haiti, and the hardship of adjusting to a new country. He left the family, and Michaelle was raised by her mother. She speaks 5 languages fluently. She has a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Montreal, and has studied in Italy, in Florence, Milan, and Perugia universities as well. Not only is she a very good journalist, she is an excellent interviewer on various tv shows she has hosted, was also an excellent anchorwoman for the SRC news. Most of her programmes were in French. She is currently the host of the Newsworld documentary series, The Passionate Eye. She presents a similar series on the French-language news channel, RDI. She also hosted a series called Rough Cuts, devoted to short documentaries. Over and beyond that, because of her childhood experiences, Michaelle Jean has been involved actively in certain social issues such as poverty and violence against women and children. She comes across as a warm, intelligent, compassionate person, and insofar as the GG’s position is concerned, she’ll do a great job with it, and she may even find new ways of doing things. As for phone in shows, most of the people I’ve heard these past couple of days while driving in my car have been very favourable to her appointment, even some who are against the existence of the very position of GG. As for the Haitian and other non-Caucasian communities around, their spokepersons seem to agree that this is good for them, that she will serve as a role model, an example to young people that will show them that they, too, can follow their dreams ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_C.Mulligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@Chad\_C.Mulligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_C.Mulligan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684/57 "2005-08-06T18:22:02Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > See the film _Shake Hands with the Devil_ for the truth: Dallaire did absolutely everything he could with virtually nothing. The “inaction” accusation has largely been hung by Belgian politicos attempting to deflect attention from their own far-more-blameworthy actions. I have been meaning to read the book that film was based on for some time, but haven’t gotten around to it. I’ll withhold further comment on General Dallaire until I’ve fought some of my own ignorance. Thanks for the suggestion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-not-another-woman-of-colour-as-governor-general/315684.md?page=2)