Jean era almost up
Posted Sep 27, 2010 04:32:19 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – This is Michaelle Jean’s last week as Governor General.
History will deal with her legacy, especially her decision to grant Prime Minister Stephen Harper the prorogation of Parliament that saved his government.
But as of now few public figures will command a higher profile as a Canadian spokesperson.
Jean’s office estimates that since the Haiti earthquake, she’s received at least 166 interview requests from media outlets such as C-N-N, the B-B-C and even Al Jazeera.
She has charmed the leaders of G-8 and failing states alike.
Ghana’s president once declared, during a toast at an official dinner, that his country had fallen in love with her.
Newspaper columns in France and Africa compared her to Nelson Mandela, Lady Diana, Pele and Muhammad Ali.
Her term concludes with a military salute, an event in Parliament, and a tree-planting ceremony at Rideau Hall.
She moves on Thursday to become a United Nations envoy to Haiti, her earthquake-battered homeland.
The man who replaces her, David Johnston, has stellar credentials as an academic and public servant, but has quite an act to follow.
