Give her a chance...

I have to say that I am quite appalled over what a big issue Michaelle Jean's separatist vote has become despite her recent statement that she is devoted to Canada. That was decades ago, people! The political landscape of the country has transformed since then. In the time I spent in the separatist heart of Quebec, I began to understand the separatist movement. It's a whole different world out there; it feels like a different country. And that's not to say that I am separatist; I think that Quebec is an integral part of Canada. So many great things have come out of la belle province.

But I think that sentiment has changed in Quebec since the referendum. Globalization has led to realization that we have to stick together to move forward. My mère d'accueil told me that she feels like Quebec needs outside help to sustain it's beautiful culture. They need more people to move there because the employment situation - at least in the Saguenay region - is quite dismal. It was almost as if she was inviting me to move there. And all the jeunes du Québec are learning english and spanish. I think that perhaps they realize the threat of globalization much better than we - being the dominant culture of the country - do.

Five weeks there made me appreciate the struggle of a pays (that's what they call themselves) to keep their culture alive. Michaelle Jean has lived there for years, through racial strifes and political uncertainty. Let's cut her some slack! After all, she wouldn't accept the position of Governor-general of Canada if she didn't support the country.