Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

Polyglot-in-chief

by Aaron Wherry on Monday, October 5, 2009 3:55pm - 12 Comments

The Governor General addresses UNESCO in five languages. The full speech, in English, is here.

In a world in which our fates are inextricably linked, we should be very wary of leaning toward a commercial logic without any safeguards, one in which the “fend for yourself” mentality would make the rules.

We should be wary because today’s challenges affect every citizen of the world and every culture they represent.

We have no choice but to acknowledge the situation and expand our definition of civic responsibility as a result.

Tags: Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, Paris, UN, UNESCO, United Nations

More by Aaron Wherry

http://intensedebate.com/people/Crit_Reasoning Crit_Reasoning

She cited her own life path, from being born in Haiti to growing up in francophone Quebec to becoming Canada's vice-regal, as symbolic of the Canadian story.

The speech was well received, with delegates rising to their feet for a standing ovation when she was finished.

Sounds like Michaelle Jean is doing a great job representing Canada.

Women Ruin Canada

Grow some testicles, CR, and get an appointment with a psychiatrist too while you're at it. Praising a vicious quota hired racist who hates your guts because you are a white man? Yeah, that's not sane. At all.

some thoughts

She always has.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Gaunilon Gaunilon

"Of course, the extent of inequality, the fragility of our ecosystems, the rise in fundamentalism of every kind, the scope of commercialization of culture and life itself, the shameless contempt for human dignity have all caused great anxiety." (emphasis added)

Isn't this the same Governor General who awarded the Order of Canada to the man responsible for killing thousands of Canadian children?

Dave

Actually, appointment to the Order of Canada are by a special advisory committee*. That aside, there are clearly many Canadians who feel differently about Dr. Morgentaler’s work

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Canada#Advisory_Council

Dave

**appointments

Where did my edit button go?

Andrew (not Potter or Coyne)

Sounds like a rather political speech.
Immigrants Hate Us

Did she happen to mention that she sees her appointment as GG as, and I quote, "revenge" against white people? She actually said that.

She's also gone on record as supporting and encouraging young people to commit vandalism, claiming that graffiti is a legitimate art form. She is a horrible human being with a not at all concealed grudge against the vast majority of Canadians – who are white.

As much as you love Jean, Wherry, remember that she hates you because of the colour of your skin. Useful idiot? Yeah, that would be you.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Ed_Sweeney Ed_Sweeney

You think spreading your message of hate serves any useful purpose?
Trillium

Source that.

http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Gaunilon Gaunilon

"Of course, the extent of inequality, the fragility of our ecosystems, the rise in fundamentalism of every kind, the scope of commercialization of culture and life itself, the shameless contempt for human dignity have all caused great anxiety." (emphasis added)

Isn't this the same Governor General who awarded the Order of Canada to the man responsible for thousands of abortions?

Amateur Hour

Morganthaler was awarded the OOC for his advancements of women's equality under the law. It's a fact that poor women in NS were discriminated against, and he fought against that fact. Please note that those recipients of the OOC who renounced their honours in protest had received their awards independent of their positions on abortion (for works they did in to better their communities). It's a bit rich for people who oppose abortion, but were honoured for their humanitarian works in other areas, to renounce their awards because someone else was recognized for advancing women's rights — but was pro choice.