Nick Brennan
I am from Sherbrooke, Quebec; my parents came from Italy 55 years ago; we have contributed to Canada in many ways, like many other cultural communities. The choice of Jean as governor general is one of the best move in the past years, not only for cultural differences, but because Jean is a strong person, not a token as she says, an inclusive person, just what Canada needs to reconciliate with politics, even if this is an appointment et not through election; honesty, this is Michaelle Jean.
Bianca Battistini, Sherbrooke, Que.
Reading these comments, one thing becomes clear: we're an incredibly dynamic people with all kinds of views. You can't put Canadians in a box, plaster a maple leaf on it, and call it Canuck. And, perhaps this is our identity. (If only we could be comfortable with that...)
So, let's not start shoving our Governor-General-to-be in a box. I think that's something the Prime Minister has tried to do. Mr. Martin might think he's making a nod to... whomever with this appointment. But really, once she assumes her duties, the politics are over. She becomes "ours." The appointment might appear political, but the job is not. The job is vice-regal, one of service. Shouldn't we be grateful for that?
Let's sit tight and see what she's really all about before making assumptions based on what the Prime Minister would like us (and his cronies) to believe about her because of her background. You never know, she might be "a great" -- and "greats" don't fit in boxes.
Theodore Mercredi, The Hague, The Netherlands
What is with these people complaining about -- horrors -- a SECOND woman of colour in a row as governor general? Were the 117 consecutive years of white males from 1867 to 1984 just not enough?
Matt McLauchlin, Montreal
Leaving aside the recurring themes of race, ethnicity, Quebec, and tokenism that have marked the discussion about the new Governor-General, I would like to point to the rather puzzling and irritating speech Ms. Jean gave in front of the press today. Note, in particular, the claim that her being chosen for the position is "not only good for Canadians, but for all abroad, and humanity in general." Well, I suppose it is reassuring that the GG tradition of self-aggrandizement and grotesquely inflated sense of mission continues untroubled.
S. Farz, Montreal
Speaking for myself and at least another few dozen "white males from the west", the choice of Michaëlle Jean could hardly be improved upon. I invite that dull male with a colour fetish on his chest to move south by several hundred miles and help Canada get on with being what most Canadians want it to be: a colorblind model for the world. I'm glad I live in the far west, but hooray for women, hooray for French, and hooray for Quebec.
Ric Hunter
Pauline Hopwood, Mississauga, Ont.
Bruce Turnbull, Boston
James Sanyshyn, Vancouver
Jim Whittier
Thomas Baxter
Shauna Parish, Toronto
D. Scrivener, Toronto
John Allan, Sarnia, Ont.
Johnny
Shirley Spencer, Regina
Trudy Brown, Brockville, Ont.
Cathy Tan
C.C.
Madina Wasuge
Charlie White, Portland, Ore.
Oliver M. Harte
Fabulous choice, so refreshing to NOT have another old white man in the office.
Mike Catlin , Kingston Ontario.
