AUG. 10, 2005: GG PS
Some Canadian readers have asked in response to my column on governors-general just why I think Romeo LeBlanc was a worse choice than Michaelle Jean, the newly named governor-general. I suppose it comes down to my feeling that in the current Canadian context, Liberal cronyism is an even worse political problem than racial preferences - and that LeBlanc owed his appointment to the former while Jean is merely an exhibit of the latter. That said, Jean remains the second worst choice to fill the office in modern times.
Other readers have asked whom I would have preferred. The following list of names may not make much sense to American readers, but I hope they will indulge me in the interests of good government across the upper half of the continent:
John de Chastelain, former chief of the Canadian defense staff, former ambassador to the United States, and chairman of the commission on decommissioning of arms in northern Ireland would have been an excellent choice. Like Michaelle Jean, he is an immigrant to Canada: He was born in Romania.
Hilary Weston, one of Canada's leading businesswomen and philanthrophists and a highly successful former Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Ontario would have brought charm and grace to the office.
Bob Rae served as the NDP (socialist to you) premier of Ontario from 1990-1995. He's veered to the center since then, and has become a respected lawyer to private business. In 2002 and 2003 he helped broker peace negotiations in Sri Lanka.
If Canada wants a journalist as head of state how about Robert MacNeil, ex of the MacNeil-Lehrer report, now retired to his native Nova Scotia?
If they are seeking an embattled French-Canadian federalist, Jean Charest might be ready to be airlifted out of his unhappy job as premier of Quebec.
Or, finally, if they want a real prince - I'm not joking about Prince Edward, the steadiest and most sensible of Queen Elizabeth's children. Having a Windsor represent the Queen in Canada would bring not only glamour but a sense of history to the job. Some anti-monarchist Liberals will object that it's undignified for a G8 country to have a foreigner opening Parliament and signing bills into law. But it's just been reported that Michaelle Jean holds a French passport as well as her Canadian documents. Surely at least similar consideration could be given to the son of the woman who remains Canada's legal monarch?