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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com. This summer I am joined by Keir Wilmut and Omar Soliman.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Still wondering whether the new G-G is a Quebec separatist
Eight days ago, the below blog entry (also posted on The Shotgun) raised the possibility that the GG-designate, Michaëlle Jean, could be a Quebec separatist. The post was inspired by comments by Patrick Boucher, a journalism student who, while interning at the Washington bureau of Radio-Canada, gleaned this information from former Jean colleagues.
The story has since picked up steam, but only in the last few days -- long after it rocketed around the blogosphere. It took this article from the separatist mag Le Quebecois, calling Jean and husband Jean-Daniel Lafond's federalist credentials into question, to get the story moving in the MSM. Another article released today sheds light on allegedly pro-FLQ statements made by Lafond.
Today's La Presse had a front-page story on this topic and The Globe and Mail carried a story with Leon Benoit, a veteran Tory MP, calling for clarification of Jean's position vis-a-vis Quebec independence. Now the Premiers are asking questions. The CBC, after mostly ignoring this story, finally has something up. So, the story has legs.
PMO attack dog Scott Reid has been out calling this "a smear campaign by hardline separatists who see Mme. Jean's appointment as a threat." Great spin as usual, but not the least bit truthful. Now even Paul Martin is asking people to stop, reportedly even calling Stephen Harper and Ralph Klein. According to a story circulating on the wire:
A source in the Prime Minister's Office said Mr. Martin was careful in his choice, but "we do not live in Stalinist Russia and we are not going to make people crawl on their bellies and demonstrate their loyalty to Canada."
The Liberal strategy here is too predictable, likening calls for Jean to clarify her views to Stalinist Russia or some kind of "witch hunt." This is just a diversionary tactic -- it is extremely disturbing and evasive.
This is one of the most serious issues I can remember. It's beyond anything like a sponsorshop scandal -- it speaks to the integrity of Canada as a nation. We cannot have someone who wants to break up the country serving as the Queen's representative here. Some have thrown their arms up in anger over the fact that she's a dual citizen of France; I don't really even care about that. I don't even care about her socialist political leanings at this point. This is no longer a left/right issue.
It is looking more and more like the Martin people did not do proper vetting before green-lighting the Jean appointment. That is inexcusable. They are playing with fire, and it could cause yet more damage to national unity.
At the very least, Jean should release a statement clarifying her views and expressing her devotion and loyalty to Canada. Canadians and Her Majesty have the right to know. If she refuses, Mr. Martin should think about rescinding this appointment immediately.
We'll see if the liberal media keeps this story alive or tries to let it fade away. If they had any guts they'd keep digging, but somehow I doubt it. I'm still finishing up the book, so can't do much myself, but I hope some people out there in the blogosphere keep going with this. If bloggers can shed more light on this story and break some news it could be a defining moment for the medium in Canada.
UPDATE, 13/08/05 9pm ET: Today's Andrew Coyne column on the Jean story is required reading. The best thing written yet.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 4:06 PM
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